December 2014 New Releases
More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website.
Amish Romance:
Murder Tightly Knit (An Amish Village Mystery) by Vannetta Chapman -- As fall blankets the Pumpkinvine Trail with colorful leaves, a local Amish man is found dead on the path. For the federal investigator called in on the case, everyone is suspect. Even the Amish village knitting shop, The Cat's Meow, is implicated. Amber Bowman and Hannah Troyer know who isn't guilty-they know this community down to the last buggy, but can they find the guilty party before someone else is in danger? (Cozy Mystery from HarperCollins Christian Publishing [Thomas Nelson & Zondervan])
Contemporary Romance:
Raspberry Kisses by Cecelia Dowdy -- Facing eviction, pastor's widow Rhea Morrison must save her failing bakery. Her recently-injured twin sister, Raven, loans her money on one condition. Rhea must attend a singles retreat to spy on Martin Lane, Raven's new love interest. Disgruntled, Rhea attends the retreat and is attracted to Martin. When he, a former successful bakery owner, formulates a plan to save her business, will she be forced to choose between her twin sister's love and a second chance at romance? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)
Wayward Hearts by Susan Anne Mason -- Hairstylist Maxi North is thriving in one of Manhattan's classiest salons. But her father's death puts her plans on hold while she travels home to face her past. There, she is forced to confront unrequited feelings for her former best friend, Jason Hanley, as well as her deeply buried guilt over her younger brother's death. When his friend, Maxi North, and her mother almost perish in a fire, firefighter-in-training Jason Hanley becomes involved in helping them re-build their farmhouse. Can he and Maxi ever put aside their differences to find a future together? (Contemporary Romance from White Rose Publishing [Pelican])
Deep Freeze Christmas by Marian P. Merritt -- Louisiana Chef Leona Buquet agrees to cook at a Colorado mountain lodge during the Christmas holiday, never expecting to be taken by the friendly and good-looking son of a movie producer. Trouble is, with glamorous actresses clamoring for his attention, why would he even notice Leona? Cameron Fleming struggles with a career he hates in order to please his famous father. Then he meets Leona and determines to get to know her. That is hard to do while dodging starlets...and the woman he wants is avoiding him. Can love sizzle, along with the Cajun dishes, in subzero temperatures? (Contemporary Romance from White Rose Publishing [Pelican])
Historical Romance:
Petticoat Detective (Undercover Ladies) by Margaret Brownley -- On the trail of the Gunnysack Bandit, Pinkerton Detective Jennifer Layne poses as a lady companion named Amy at Miss Lillian's Parlor House and Boots in Goodman, Kansas. Former Texas Ranger Tom Colton has every reason to distrust the green-eyed beauty at Miss Lillian's who calls herself Amy. Determined to clear his brother's name, he's convinced she knows more than she lets on, and he means to find out what it is. As Amy's investigation continues, her biggest problem is Tom and his stolen kiss. The closer she gets to nabbing the outlaw, the harder it is to keep Tom from finding out the awful truth about his brother. The Gunnysack Bandit she can handle, but it'll take a whole lot of faith and a little help from Miss Lillian and her girls to snag the man who stole her heart. (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)
Her Honorable Enemy by Mary Davis -- For Charles Young, All's fair in love and war. The British soldier scorns the trappings of society life-including a society wife. So a posting in the remote San Juan Islands is perfect for him. But when an American girl crosses enemy lines, she turns his structured world upside down. As smart as she is fetching, Rachel Thompson's only experience with romance is the books she devours. But her father is determined that his spirited daughter make a suitable match. And a British officer could never be suitable. Can this real-life Romeo and Juliet triumph over the odds...or will their romance trigger the unthinkable-war? (Historical Romance from Heartsong Presents [Harlequin])
Love Unexpected (Beacons of Hope) by Jody Hedlund -- Stranded at Presque Isle port after her steamboat sank, Emma Chambers can't find work or even a place to stay. When a widowed lighthouse keeper and his young son arrive in town, a traveling preacher believes they might be the answer to each others' problems. After a hasty marriage, Emma is headed back to the lighthouse with this handsome but quiet stranger. Struggling with her new tasks of motherhood and domesticity at every turn, Emma also suspects Patrick may be keeping something hidden from her. In town she hears whispers about strange circumstances surrounding his previous wife's death, and it seems as though Emma's answered prayer for a home and family may actually be something much more dangerous. (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker Publishing])
A Most Inconvenient Marriage by Regina Jennings -- Having fled a difficult home life, Civil War nurse Abigail Stuart feels like her only friend in the world is sweet but gravely wounded patient Jeremiah Calhoun. Left with few options and fearing he won't survive, Abigail agrees to marry the dying Confederate soldier, then look after his sickly sister and take ownership of his farm back home. Just when his sister learns to accept her, the real Jeremiah Calhoun appears, puzzled to find a confounding woman posing as his wife. Jeremiah is determined to have his pre-war life back, but his own wounds limit what he can do on his own. Not fully convinced Abigail isn't duping him, he's forced to let the woman stay and help him--not admitting to himself she may provide the healing his family needs. (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker Publishing])
Colorado Dawn by Erica Vetsch -- Watch as God lights the way of love, despite the resolve of three Colorado men. A collapsing mine shaft made David Mackenzie blind and bitter, but Karen Worth will not give up on her unconditional love for him. Disillusioned by love, Sam Mackenzie reluctantly escorts a jobless and homeless Eldora Carter plus three orphans cross country. And just when that challenge seems too overwhelming, an avalanche descends. . . . Pastor Silas Hamilton falls for Willow Starr, an actress bound for New York City. But he's fairly sure the love between a pastor and an actress could never survive. . .could it? (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)
Masterpiece Marriage by Gina Welborn -- After a flood damages the looms at Zenus Dane's Philadelphia textile mill and the bank demands loan payment, Zenus turns to his aunt for help repurposing his textiles. Trouble is . . . his aunt has already been hired by the lovely yet secretive Englishwoman Mary Varrs. Eager to acquire his aunt's quilt patterns, Zenus attends the summer Quilting Bee, a social event his aunt has uniquely designed with the secret purpose of finding Zenus a wife. However Zenus only has eyes for Mary, but Mary has no such desire for him. Can he realize that love requires stepping out of his routine? And will she recognize that following her heart doesn't mean sacrificing her ambition? (Historical Romance from Abingdon Press)
The Snowbound Bride by Davalynn Spencer -- On the run from a heartless uncle, Arabella Taube hides in Nate Horne's farm wagon just as a harsh winter storm sweeps into Colorado. Despite Ara's mysterious background, Nate's mother thinks she is the answer to a prayer and the hope for his future. (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)
Historical Suspense:
Embers of Courage by Diane and David Munson -- ICE Special Agent Eva Montanna discovers the world is ablaze with danger when militants capture her task force teammate, NCIS Special Agent Raj Pentu, during a CIA operation in Egypt. She risks her life to defeat tyrants oppressing Christians, and is plunged into a daring rescue mission. Eva's faith is tested like never before as mysterious ashes, her ancient family Bible, and fifteenth century religious persecution collide with modern-day courage under fire. (Historical Suspense, Independently Published)
Romantic Suspense:
One Among Men by Connie Almony -- Samantha Hart is looking for purpose, like her missionary best friend, but is forced to take a job as a resident director of the all-male party dorm at the major state university where her prodigal past haunts her. Chris Johnson, a rock guitarist, has come back to school as a music major, and finds himself in a business relationship with the ruthless supplier of an on-campus drug ring. He's intrigued by the lady RD, while learning more about his musical gift and the God who gave it to him. Can he manage his two worlds without risking Samantha's life? (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published)
Navy SEAL Noel by Liz Johnson -- Abducted by a drug cartel, scientist Jessalynn McCoy's orders are simple-produce a deadly toxin, or be killed. She's desperate for help...she just never expected it from Will Gumble. The boy who let her down years ago is now a navy SEAL. She trusts his skills, his experience. Trusting the man is a different matter. Will's Christmas wish is to heal their damaged relationship and get them to safety. But time is running out and the stakes keep rising. Any mistake could mean the difference between facing the holidays together or apart forever. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Women's Fiction:
Love Defined (Remnants) by Elizabeth Maddrey -- July (pronounced "Julie") and Gareth have reached the end of their infertility treatment options. With conflicting feelings on adoption, they struggle to discover common ground in their marriage. Meanwhile, July's twin sister, June, and her husband, Toby, are navigating the uncertainties of adoption and the challenges of new parenthood. How much stretching can their relationships endure before they snap? (Women's Fiction from HopeSprings Books)
Monday, December 1, 2014
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
ACFW New Releases: October 2014
October 2014 New Releases
More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website.
Amish Romance:
An Amish Second Christmas by Kathleen Fuller, Tricia Goyer, Ruth Reid and Beth Wiseman -- "When Christmas Comes Again" by Beth Wiseman: Katherine Zook and her four children are facing their first Christmas without a loved one, and the future seems dim. But when a mysterious Englisch man begins to show up in the most unlikely of places, Katherine can't help but be suspicious . . . and a bit curious. "Her Christmas Pen Pal" by Ruth Reid: When Joy Stolzfus's boyfriend tells her he wants to court other women, she's shocked. She pours her heart out in a letter, but it mistakenly reaches Noah Esh. The two begin writing letters back and forth, but a misunderstanding threatens to topple the relationship they're building. "A Gift for Anne Marie" by Kathleen Fuller: Anne Marie Smucker's life is pretty perfect. Until she discovers her widowed mother is getting married and they're all moving. On top of that, Anne Marie's relationship with her friend Nathaniel has changed, and she's more confused than ever about her feelings for him. "The Christmas Aprons" by Tricia Goyer: Esther Glick bakes a Christmas pie for a fundraiser, and she soon finds herself sitting across from bachelor Ammon Schwartz. Esther receives many orders for pies, but when she breaks her wrist, she discovers what community-and love-are all about. (Amish Romance from HarperCollins Christian Publishing [Thomas Nelson and Zondervan])
Contemporary Romance:
At Bluebonnet Lake: A Novel (Texas Crossroads) by Amanda Cabot -- Marketing maven Kate Sherwood's world is fast-paced, challenging, and always changing. The last thing she wants to do is slow down to a crawl at Rainbow's End, a dilapidated resort in the Texas Hill Country. But she cannot deny her ailing grandmother's request to visit the place where she and her deceased husband spent one glorious week (albeit fifty years ago). There Kate meets Greg Vange, the resort's handyman. But there's more to Greg than meets the eye--billions more, in fact, as he recently sold his successful software company and is at the resort in search of what's next for his life. Kate isn't looking for romance, but she can't deny the sparks of attraction that fly every time she and Greg are together. She even starts to see potential in the rundown resort. Could there be a future there? Or will Kate's long-sought promotion take her back to the big city? (Contemporary Romance from Revell [Baker Publishing Group])
Quilted by Christmas by Jodie Bailey -- After Taryn McKenna's high school sweetheart, Justin Callahan, abandons her to join the army, Taryn vows to never love again. And she decides to keep a closely guarded secret from him-forever. Focused on being completely independent, Taryn pours herself into teaching high school in Hollings, North Carolina and helping her spunky Grandma Jemma. But when Jemma's health takes a turn for the worse, and Justin reappears, Taryn's emotions get more tangled than a knotted piece of thread. A hand-stitched Irish chain quilt holds the message of healing Taryn needs. But will she realize the depth of God's unconditional love for her? (Contemporary Romance from Abingdon Press)
His Small-Town Family by Lorraine Beatty -- Nicki Latimer never expected to be back in her tiny Mississippi hometown-much less running a store with a baby on her hip. But when her father falls ill, Nicki will do anything to save the family business...even put her dreams on hold. And she's found just the person to help her. Ethan Stone is strong and reliable, but also haunted by his past as a war photographer. He's convinced he could never be the man Nicki thinks he is. But with Ethan by her side, Nicki's dreams of love and family are closer than she thinks. (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
A Holiday Proposal by Kimberly Rose Johnson -- Holly Miller is steering clear of mistletoe. Just out of nursing school, Holly can't risk any distractions. She knows a slip-up could cost a life. Like the mistake she made years ago that still plagues her conscience. When she runs into old high school friend Matthew Cook, she hesitates to let romance into her life. Even if the handsome baker is as delectable as his fabulous pastries. She didn't notice him back in high school, but things have sure changed. Now that Matthew has Holly's attention, maybe the holiday season is the perfect time for him to show her that she deserves to have it all-work, family, friends and a love that lasts a lifetime. (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Forever Christmas by Robert Tate Miller -- Up-and-coming literary agent Andrew Farmer is constantly on the road, wooing prospective clients and making a name for himself. Would he and his wife Beth have spent their last moments together arguing had they known that just before midnight on Christmas Eve, Beth would be hit by a taxi that would ultimately take her life? Andrew would do anything to go back and change that night. Then he meets Lionel, a straight-talking angel in disguise, who grants Andrew the gift of the last three days of Beth's life to relive, but there's a hitch: her fate cannot be changed. Only one gift will save her life, and Andrew has seventy-two hours to figure out what that gift is or he'll lose Beth forever. (Contemporary Romance from HarperCollins Christian Publishing [Thomas Nelson and Zondervan])
General/Contemporary:
Lizzy & Jane by Katherine Reay -- Restaurant owner Elizabeth has lost her culinary magic, and business is slowing down. When worried investors enlist the talents of a tech-savvy celebrity chef to salvage the restaurant, Elizabeth feels the ground shift beneath her feet. Not only has she lost her touch; she's losing her dream. Brimming with desperation and dread, Elizabeth finds herself in the unlikeliest of places, by her sister's side in Seattle as Jane undergoes chemotherapy. As her new life takes the form of care, cookery, and classic literature, Elizabeth is forced to reimagine her future and reevaluate her past. But can a New York City chef with a painful history settle down with the family she once abandoned . . . and make peace with the sister who once abandoned her? (General/Contemporary from HarperCollins Christian Publishing [Thomas Nelson and Zondervan])
Historical Romance:
Yuletide Angel by Sandra Ardoin -- A shy spinster, Violet Madison secretly delivers food to the poor at Christmas and earns the title The Yuletide Angel. When bachelor Hugh Barnes discovers the truth, he vows to protect her. Neither realizes someone else waits in the shadows, threatening to ruin Violet's generosity and her reputation. (Historical Romance from Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas)
The Farmer's Daughter Romance Collection by Mary Davis, Kelly Eileen Hake, Tracie Peterson, Jill Stengl and Susan May Warren-- Meet daughters of prairie farms from Montana south to Kansas who find love in the midst of turbulent life changes. Marty's nieces are kidnapped. Rosalind's town is overrun by a railroad company. Amy's jealousy comes between her and her twin. Beulah's answer is needed to a marriage proposal. Lilly's choice puts her at odd with her neighbors. Into each of their lives rides a man who may only make their situations worse. (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)
Dreaming on Daisies (Love Blossoms in Oregon Series) by Miralee Ferrell -- When her father's debts, brought on by heavy drinking, threaten Leah Carlson's family ranch, she fights to save it. When handsome banker Steven Harding must decline her loan request, he determines to do what he can to help. Just as he arrives to serve as a much-needed ranch hand, Leah's family secrets—and the pain of her past-come to a head. They could destroy everything she's fought for. And they could keep her from ever opening her heart again. (Historical Romance from David C. Cook)
Where Treetops Glisten by Tricia Goyer, Cara Putman and Sarah Sundin-- A grandmother advises three siblings as they search for love and deeper faith during World War II. White Christmas by Cara C. Putman. A candy maker and a puzzle manufacturer have one thing in common: love is the last thing they're looking for and the very thing they need. I'll Be Home For Christmas by Sarah Sundin. A fighter pilot running on empty, a lonely widow, and a little girl searching for what she's lost-will an unusual Christmas gift fill their hearts again? Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Tricia Goyer. As Christmas nears, a combat nurse offers care and cheer to injured soldiers on the front line, but when her patients and the Dutch villagers discover it's her birthday they work together to give her a great gift-a reason to believe in love again. (Historical Romance from Waterbrook/Multnomah [Random House])
Suitor by Design (The Dressmaker's Daughters) by Christine Johnson-- Minnie Fox's goal is to find a beau who can help support her ailing father and his struggling dress shop. As a working man, her friend Peter Simmons simply doesn't fit the bill. Instead, Minnie's got eyes for Peter's childhood pal-a wealthy Chicagoan. So why can't she stop thinking about Peter? Peter wishes Minnie would see him as more than a friend. As a hardworking mechanic, Peter knows he'll never be able to dazzle Minnie with fancy suits and expensive cars. But maybe he can prove to her that what's in a man's heart is worth more than what's in his wallet. (Historical Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Watercolor Dreams by Sherry Kyle-- It's 1910 and Anna Lewis wants to become a premier watercolor artist of the lush beaches of Carmel, California. When a man strides down the beach and stops to face the ocean, Anna sketches him into her painting. Was it a mistake? Anna thinks so when he approaches and tells her he doesn't have spare change to purchase her work. Spare change indeed! She'd better keep her day job as nursemaid to two rambunctious boys. The minute Charles Jordan walks away, he regrets criticizing the woman's painting but as he told the artist, he's just been jilted at the altar. His former bride-to-be is in love with his cousin. Will a secret from his past prevent Charles from ever loving again? And will Anna have the hope she needs when tragedy strikes and she must rely on the one man who crushed her spirit? (Historical Romance from HopeSprings Books)
The Daughter of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky-- Debutante Katherine Ramsey's family estate, Highland Hall, has been passed to older male cousin Sir William Ramsey. Her only means of securing her future is to make a strong debut in the London social season and find a proper husband. When a shocking family scandal sidelines Katherine, forcing her out of the social spotlight, she keeps a low profile, volunteering with the poor in London's East End. Here, a friendship with medical student Jonathan Foster deepens and her faith in God grows. But when Katherine is courted anew by a man of wealth and position, dreams of luxury surface again. She must decide whom she can trust and love-and if she will choose a life serving others over one where she is served. (Historical Romance from Waterbrook/Multnomah [Random House])
Romantic Suspense:
Holiday Defenders by Jodie Bailey, Debby Giusti and Susan Sleeman-- Christmas Rescue by Debby Giusti: On the run from a killer, Elizabeth Tate must accept U.S. Army captain Nick Fontaine's protection for the sake of her young niece and nephew. Now her life is in the hands of the very man who broke her heart years ago. Special Ops Christmas by Susan Sleeman: Researcher Claire Reed's top secret project is stolen, putting her at risk of being kidnapped to unlock it. Her undercover bodyguard-her former love, Green Beret Travis Chapman-is on his most dangerous mission yet. Homefront Holiday Hero by Jodie Bailey: When someone tries to kill the daughter of a military official, U.S. Army major Tyler Rainey must keep Kelly Walters from harm...while guarding his own heart against very unexpected feelings. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
The Lawman Returns (Wrangler's Corner) by Lynette Eason -- Deputy Clay Starke has come home to Wrangler's Corner for one reason only: to solve his brother's murder. Denied official resources, Clay is forced to rely on his wits-and on the assistance of beautiful social worker Sabrina Mayfield. But Sabrina's helping him draws her into danger. Now both Clay and Sabrina have targets on their backs, and Clay is at risk of losing not only his heart, but also his life. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Deceived by Irene Hannon -- When Kate Marshall spots a child on an escalator in the mall, she is convinced it is the son she thought was killed in a boating accident. With police skeptical of her story, she turns to private investigator Connor Sullivan. The former Secret Service agent is dubious, but agrees to investigate. He discovers that the incident may have been no accident at all. But if Claire's son is alive, someone is intent on keeping him hidden-and may be willing to go to lethal lengths to protect a sinister secret. (Romantic Suspense from Revell [Baker Publishing Group])
Speculative Fiction:
Thunder: A Novel (Stone Braide Chronicles) by Bonnie S. Calhoun -- In post-apocalyptic America, Selah Chavez is crouched in long grass on a shore littered with the rusted metal remnants of a once-great city. It is the day before her eighteenth Born Remembrance, and she is hunting Landers, mysterious people from a land across the big water who survive the delirium-inducing passage in small boats that occasionally crash against the shoreline. Landers bring a good price from the Company and are especially prized if they keep the markings they arrive with. Everything falls to pieces when the Lander Selah catches is stolen by her brothers--and Selah wakes up the next morning to find the Lander's distinctive mark has suddenly appeared on her own flesh. Once the hunter, Selah is now one of the hunted, and she knows only one person who can help her--Bohdi Locke, the Lander her brothers hope to sell. (Speculative Fiction from Revell [Baker Publishing Group])
A Time to Die by Nadine Brandes -- How would you live if you knew the day you'd die? Parvin Blackwater believes she has wasted her life. At only seventeen, she has one year left according to the Clock by her bedside. In a last-ditch effort to make a difference, she tries to rescue Radicals from the government's crooked justice system. But when the authorities find out about her illegal activity, they cast her through the Wall -- her people's death sentence. What she finds on the other side about the world, about eternity, and about herself changes Parvin forever and might just save her people. But her clock is running out. (Speculative Fiction from Enclave Publishing)
More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website.
Amish Romance:
An Amish Second Christmas by Kathleen Fuller, Tricia Goyer, Ruth Reid and Beth Wiseman -- "When Christmas Comes Again" by Beth Wiseman: Katherine Zook and her four children are facing their first Christmas without a loved one, and the future seems dim. But when a mysterious Englisch man begins to show up in the most unlikely of places, Katherine can't help but be suspicious . . . and a bit curious. "Her Christmas Pen Pal" by Ruth Reid: When Joy Stolzfus's boyfriend tells her he wants to court other women, she's shocked. She pours her heart out in a letter, but it mistakenly reaches Noah Esh. The two begin writing letters back and forth, but a misunderstanding threatens to topple the relationship they're building. "A Gift for Anne Marie" by Kathleen Fuller: Anne Marie Smucker's life is pretty perfect. Until she discovers her widowed mother is getting married and they're all moving. On top of that, Anne Marie's relationship with her friend Nathaniel has changed, and she's more confused than ever about her feelings for him. "The Christmas Aprons" by Tricia Goyer: Esther Glick bakes a Christmas pie for a fundraiser, and she soon finds herself sitting across from bachelor Ammon Schwartz. Esther receives many orders for pies, but when she breaks her wrist, she discovers what community-and love-are all about. (Amish Romance from HarperCollins Christian Publishing [Thomas Nelson and Zondervan])
Contemporary Romance:
At Bluebonnet Lake: A Novel (Texas Crossroads) by Amanda Cabot -- Marketing maven Kate Sherwood's world is fast-paced, challenging, and always changing. The last thing she wants to do is slow down to a crawl at Rainbow's End, a dilapidated resort in the Texas Hill Country. But she cannot deny her ailing grandmother's request to visit the place where she and her deceased husband spent one glorious week (albeit fifty years ago). There Kate meets Greg Vange, the resort's handyman. But there's more to Greg than meets the eye--billions more, in fact, as he recently sold his successful software company and is at the resort in search of what's next for his life. Kate isn't looking for romance, but she can't deny the sparks of attraction that fly every time she and Greg are together. She even starts to see potential in the rundown resort. Could there be a future there? Or will Kate's long-sought promotion take her back to the big city? (Contemporary Romance from Revell [Baker Publishing Group])
Quilted by Christmas by Jodie Bailey -- After Taryn McKenna's high school sweetheart, Justin Callahan, abandons her to join the army, Taryn vows to never love again. And she decides to keep a closely guarded secret from him-forever. Focused on being completely independent, Taryn pours herself into teaching high school in Hollings, North Carolina and helping her spunky Grandma Jemma. But when Jemma's health takes a turn for the worse, and Justin reappears, Taryn's emotions get more tangled than a knotted piece of thread. A hand-stitched Irish chain quilt holds the message of healing Taryn needs. But will she realize the depth of God's unconditional love for her? (Contemporary Romance from Abingdon Press)
His Small-Town Family by Lorraine Beatty -- Nicki Latimer never expected to be back in her tiny Mississippi hometown-much less running a store with a baby on her hip. But when her father falls ill, Nicki will do anything to save the family business...even put her dreams on hold. And she's found just the person to help her. Ethan Stone is strong and reliable, but also haunted by his past as a war photographer. He's convinced he could never be the man Nicki thinks he is. But with Ethan by her side, Nicki's dreams of love and family are closer than she thinks. (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
A Holiday Proposal by Kimberly Rose Johnson -- Holly Miller is steering clear of mistletoe. Just out of nursing school, Holly can't risk any distractions. She knows a slip-up could cost a life. Like the mistake she made years ago that still plagues her conscience. When she runs into old high school friend Matthew Cook, she hesitates to let romance into her life. Even if the handsome baker is as delectable as his fabulous pastries. She didn't notice him back in high school, but things have sure changed. Now that Matthew has Holly's attention, maybe the holiday season is the perfect time for him to show her that she deserves to have it all-work, family, friends and a love that lasts a lifetime. (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Forever Christmas by Robert Tate Miller -- Up-and-coming literary agent Andrew Farmer is constantly on the road, wooing prospective clients and making a name for himself. Would he and his wife Beth have spent their last moments together arguing had they known that just before midnight on Christmas Eve, Beth would be hit by a taxi that would ultimately take her life? Andrew would do anything to go back and change that night. Then he meets Lionel, a straight-talking angel in disguise, who grants Andrew the gift of the last three days of Beth's life to relive, but there's a hitch: her fate cannot be changed. Only one gift will save her life, and Andrew has seventy-two hours to figure out what that gift is or he'll lose Beth forever. (Contemporary Romance from HarperCollins Christian Publishing [Thomas Nelson and Zondervan])
General/Contemporary:
Lizzy & Jane by Katherine Reay -- Restaurant owner Elizabeth has lost her culinary magic, and business is slowing down. When worried investors enlist the talents of a tech-savvy celebrity chef to salvage the restaurant, Elizabeth feels the ground shift beneath her feet. Not only has she lost her touch; she's losing her dream. Brimming with desperation and dread, Elizabeth finds herself in the unlikeliest of places, by her sister's side in Seattle as Jane undergoes chemotherapy. As her new life takes the form of care, cookery, and classic literature, Elizabeth is forced to reimagine her future and reevaluate her past. But can a New York City chef with a painful history settle down with the family she once abandoned . . . and make peace with the sister who once abandoned her? (General/Contemporary from HarperCollins Christian Publishing [Thomas Nelson and Zondervan])
Historical Romance:
Yuletide Angel by Sandra Ardoin -- A shy spinster, Violet Madison secretly delivers food to the poor at Christmas and earns the title The Yuletide Angel. When bachelor Hugh Barnes discovers the truth, he vows to protect her. Neither realizes someone else waits in the shadows, threatening to ruin Violet's generosity and her reputation. (Historical Romance from Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas)
The Farmer's Daughter Romance Collection by Mary Davis, Kelly Eileen Hake, Tracie Peterson, Jill Stengl and Susan May Warren-- Meet daughters of prairie farms from Montana south to Kansas who find love in the midst of turbulent life changes. Marty's nieces are kidnapped. Rosalind's town is overrun by a railroad company. Amy's jealousy comes between her and her twin. Beulah's answer is needed to a marriage proposal. Lilly's choice puts her at odd with her neighbors. Into each of their lives rides a man who may only make their situations worse. (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)
Dreaming on Daisies (Love Blossoms in Oregon Series) by Miralee Ferrell -- When her father's debts, brought on by heavy drinking, threaten Leah Carlson's family ranch, she fights to save it. When handsome banker Steven Harding must decline her loan request, he determines to do what he can to help. Just as he arrives to serve as a much-needed ranch hand, Leah's family secrets—and the pain of her past-come to a head. They could destroy everything she's fought for. And they could keep her from ever opening her heart again. (Historical Romance from David C. Cook)
Where Treetops Glisten by Tricia Goyer, Cara Putman and Sarah Sundin-- A grandmother advises three siblings as they search for love and deeper faith during World War II. White Christmas by Cara C. Putman. A candy maker and a puzzle manufacturer have one thing in common: love is the last thing they're looking for and the very thing they need. I'll Be Home For Christmas by Sarah Sundin. A fighter pilot running on empty, a lonely widow, and a little girl searching for what she's lost-will an unusual Christmas gift fill their hearts again? Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Tricia Goyer. As Christmas nears, a combat nurse offers care and cheer to injured soldiers on the front line, but when her patients and the Dutch villagers discover it's her birthday they work together to give her a great gift-a reason to believe in love again. (Historical Romance from Waterbrook/Multnomah [Random House])
Suitor by Design (The Dressmaker's Daughters) by Christine Johnson-- Minnie Fox's goal is to find a beau who can help support her ailing father and his struggling dress shop. As a working man, her friend Peter Simmons simply doesn't fit the bill. Instead, Minnie's got eyes for Peter's childhood pal-a wealthy Chicagoan. So why can't she stop thinking about Peter? Peter wishes Minnie would see him as more than a friend. As a hardworking mechanic, Peter knows he'll never be able to dazzle Minnie with fancy suits and expensive cars. But maybe he can prove to her that what's in a man's heart is worth more than what's in his wallet. (Historical Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Watercolor Dreams by Sherry Kyle-- It's 1910 and Anna Lewis wants to become a premier watercolor artist of the lush beaches of Carmel, California. When a man strides down the beach and stops to face the ocean, Anna sketches him into her painting. Was it a mistake? Anna thinks so when he approaches and tells her he doesn't have spare change to purchase her work. Spare change indeed! She'd better keep her day job as nursemaid to two rambunctious boys. The minute Charles Jordan walks away, he regrets criticizing the woman's painting but as he told the artist, he's just been jilted at the altar. His former bride-to-be is in love with his cousin. Will a secret from his past prevent Charles from ever loving again? And will Anna have the hope she needs when tragedy strikes and she must rely on the one man who crushed her spirit? (Historical Romance from HopeSprings Books)
The Daughter of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky-- Debutante Katherine Ramsey's family estate, Highland Hall, has been passed to older male cousin Sir William Ramsey. Her only means of securing her future is to make a strong debut in the London social season and find a proper husband. When a shocking family scandal sidelines Katherine, forcing her out of the social spotlight, she keeps a low profile, volunteering with the poor in London's East End. Here, a friendship with medical student Jonathan Foster deepens and her faith in God grows. But when Katherine is courted anew by a man of wealth and position, dreams of luxury surface again. She must decide whom she can trust and love-and if she will choose a life serving others over one where she is served. (Historical Romance from Waterbrook/Multnomah [Random House])
Romantic Suspense:
Holiday Defenders by Jodie Bailey, Debby Giusti and Susan Sleeman-- Christmas Rescue by Debby Giusti: On the run from a killer, Elizabeth Tate must accept U.S. Army captain Nick Fontaine's protection for the sake of her young niece and nephew. Now her life is in the hands of the very man who broke her heart years ago. Special Ops Christmas by Susan Sleeman: Researcher Claire Reed's top secret project is stolen, putting her at risk of being kidnapped to unlock it. Her undercover bodyguard-her former love, Green Beret Travis Chapman-is on his most dangerous mission yet. Homefront Holiday Hero by Jodie Bailey: When someone tries to kill the daughter of a military official, U.S. Army major Tyler Rainey must keep Kelly Walters from harm...while guarding his own heart against very unexpected feelings. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
The Lawman Returns (Wrangler's Corner) by Lynette Eason -- Deputy Clay Starke has come home to Wrangler's Corner for one reason only: to solve his brother's murder. Denied official resources, Clay is forced to rely on his wits-and on the assistance of beautiful social worker Sabrina Mayfield. But Sabrina's helping him draws her into danger. Now both Clay and Sabrina have targets on their backs, and Clay is at risk of losing not only his heart, but also his life. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Deceived by Irene Hannon -- When Kate Marshall spots a child on an escalator in the mall, she is convinced it is the son she thought was killed in a boating accident. With police skeptical of her story, she turns to private investigator Connor Sullivan. The former Secret Service agent is dubious, but agrees to investigate. He discovers that the incident may have been no accident at all. But if Claire's son is alive, someone is intent on keeping him hidden-and may be willing to go to lethal lengths to protect a sinister secret. (Romantic Suspense from Revell [Baker Publishing Group])
Speculative Fiction:
Thunder: A Novel (Stone Braide Chronicles) by Bonnie S. Calhoun -- In post-apocalyptic America, Selah Chavez is crouched in long grass on a shore littered with the rusted metal remnants of a once-great city. It is the day before her eighteenth Born Remembrance, and she is hunting Landers, mysterious people from a land across the big water who survive the delirium-inducing passage in small boats that occasionally crash against the shoreline. Landers bring a good price from the Company and are especially prized if they keep the markings they arrive with. Everything falls to pieces when the Lander Selah catches is stolen by her brothers--and Selah wakes up the next morning to find the Lander's distinctive mark has suddenly appeared on her own flesh. Once the hunter, Selah is now one of the hunted, and she knows only one person who can help her--Bohdi Locke, the Lander her brothers hope to sell. (Speculative Fiction from Revell [Baker Publishing Group])
A Time to Die by Nadine Brandes -- How would you live if you knew the day you'd die? Parvin Blackwater believes she has wasted her life. At only seventeen, she has one year left according to the Clock by her bedside. In a last-ditch effort to make a difference, she tries to rescue Radicals from the government's crooked justice system. But when the authorities find out about her illegal activity, they cast her through the Wall -- her people's death sentence. What she finds on the other side about the world, about eternity, and about herself changes Parvin forever and might just save her people. But her clock is running out. (Speculative Fiction from Enclave Publishing)
Monday, September 1, 2014
ACFW New Releases: September 2014
August 2014 New Releases
More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website.
Action/Adventure:
The Promise by Beth Wiseman -- Mallory Hammond is determined not to let her boyfriend, parents, or anyone else get in the way of her #1 goal-to save a life. A new friend she met online offers her the chance, but she'll have to leave behind everyone she loves to take it. Tate Webber has loved Mallory for years. He begs her not to go, but Mallory embarks on the dangerous journey to Pakistan anyway, only to discover how swiftly and easily promises can be broken. And Mallory can only pray she'll make it out alive. Inspired by actual events, this riveting story will take you on a wild journey and have you asking yourself: How far would I go for love? (Action/Adventure from HarperCollins Christian Publishing)
Amish Romance:
A White Christmas in Webster County by Laura V. Hilton -- Mercy Lapp relocates from Shipshewana to Seymour, Missouri to heal after the death of her beau. Abner Hilty flees Shipshewana to Montana to work on a ranch after he and his twin brother witnessed a murder. Now that the killer is safely behind bars, Abner decides to visit his brother Abram in Missouri. Mercy is surprised to see Abner there, and equally surprised by how much he's changed physically since she's last seen him. As Christmas approaches, an unexpected heavy snow lets Abner and Mercy spend a lot of time together in wintertime fun. Abner hopes to interest Mercy in a more permanent relationship. But then Mercy has a potentially life changing discovery. Will she return to Shipshewana to answer the summons of the past? Or settle in a new place? (Amish Romance from Whitaker House)
Biblical Fiction:
The Legend of Sheba: Rise of a Queen by Tosca Lee -- There is the story you have heard: A foreign queen journeyed north with a caravan of riches to pay tribute to a king favored by the One God. The tale of a queen conquered by a king before returning to her own land laden with gifts. That is the tale you were meant to believe. Which means most of it is a lie. The truth is far more than even the storytellers could conjure. In the tenth century BC, the new Queen of Sheba has inherited her father's throne and all its riches at great personal cost. Solomon, the brash new king of Israel famous for his wealth and wisdom, will not be denied the tribute of the world-or of Sheba's queen. With tensions ready to erupt within her own borders and the future of her nation at stake, the one woman who can match wits with Solomon undertakes the journey of a lifetime in a daring bid to test and win the king. But neither ruler has anticipated the clash of agendas, gods, and passion that threatens to ignite-and ruin-them both. (Biblical Fiction from Howard [Simon & Schuster])
Contemporary Romance:
Christmas Comes to Bethlehem - Maine by Lorraine Beatty, Elizabeth Ludwig, Sandra Robbins and Virginia Vaughan -- This year, spend Christmas in Bethlehem, Maine, as the town prepares for annual living nativities. Will stepping into the roles of Mary and Joseph help empty nesters David and Kate Walters discover the joy of becoming parents again unexpectedly? Can a young pastor and a pretty choir member convince the town to be like three wise men of long ago when a devastating hurricane threatens tradition? Can veterinarian Leesa McElroy survive working alongside a man more at home with camels than Christians? Will the truth about singer Angeline Monroe's abandoned career come to light at Christmas? (Contemporary Romance from Barbour Publishing)
Her Hometown Hero by Margaret Daley -- Home to a Cowboy In a split second, a tragic accident ends Kathleen Somers's ballet career. Her dreams shattered, she returns home to the Soaring S ranch...and her first love. Suddenly the local veterinarian, Dr. Nate Sterling, goes from her ex to her champion. With the help of a lively poodle therapy dog, the cowboy vet sets out to challenge Kathleen's strength and heal her heart. He'll show her there's life beyond dance, even if it means she leaves town again. But maybe, just maybe, he'll convince her there's only one thing in life worth having...and he's standing right in front of her. Caring Canines: Loving and loyal, these dogs mend hearts. (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Campaigning for Love by KD Fleming -- For Katherine Harper, running for city council is about protecting children from the kind of grim childhood she had. And she won't let privileged politician's son Nick Delaney ruin her chances. Like he once ruined her dreams of true love and a family of her own. Nick has his sights set on public office, not on rekindling a star-crossed romance from years ago. Yet as he and Katherine spend time together on the election circuit, his competitor compels him with her beauty and heart of gold. Falling for the opposition was never in his plans, but Nick will give anything to earn Katherine's forgiveness and renew their love. (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes by Betsy St. Amant -- Kat Varland has had enough of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. At twenty-six years old, Kat is still working shifts at her Aunt Maggie's bakery in Bayou Bend, Louisiana. Still wondering what to do with her passion for baking and her business degree. And still single. But when Lucas Brannen, Kat's best friend, signs her up for a reality TV bake-off on Cupcake Combat, everything Kat ever wanted is suddenly dangled in front of her: creative license as a baker, recognition as a visionary . . . and a job at a famous bakery in New York. As the competition heats up, Lucas realizes he might have made a huge mistake. As much as he wants the best for Kat, the only thing he wants for himself---her---is suddenly in danger of slipping away. Lucas is faced with a difficult choice: help his friend achieve her dreams . . . or sabotage her chances to keep her in Louisiana. (Contemporary Romance from HarperCollins Christian Publishing)
General/Contemporary:
Last Family Standing by Jennifer AlLee -- Twenty-five years ago, Monica Stanton gave up a baby girl for adoption. Now, Jessica is willing to meet her birth mother, but she wants the reunion to air on a reality TV show. Monica would rather chew glass than appear on TV. But she'll swallow her pride-and a few other unsavory items-if that's what it takes to reconnect. As if getting to know her grown daughter while competing on a remote island isn't hard enough, Monica is further confused when Jessica's long-lost birth father shows up, complicating both her relationship with her daughter and the attraction Monica has to the hunky reality show host. The fruit-basket upset of emotions, accusations, and regrets might make for good TV, but will it destroy the family in the process? (General/Contemporary from Abingdon Press)
Driftwood Tides by Gina Holmes -- When Holton lost his wife, Adele, in a freak accident, he shut himself off from the world, living a life of seclusion, making drifwood sculptures and drowning his pain in gin. Until his late wife's illegitimate daughter, given up for adoption without his knowledge, knocks on his door. Together Holton and Libby form an unlikely bond as the two struggle to learn the identity of Libby's father and the truth about Adele, themselves, and each other. (General/Contemporary from Tyndale House)
Chapel Springs Revival by Ane Mulligan -- With both the town and her marriage in need of restoration, Claire and her best friend embark on a journey of mishaps and miscommunication. (General/Contemporary from Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas)
Historical Romance:
Ozark Wedding by Helen Gray -- Gavin is determined to bring his sleepy hometown of Deer Lick, Missouri, into the electric age. But he doesn't count on his wayward brother's schoolhouse hijinks getting in the way-or the lovely teacher who sends Gavin's heart into a tailspin. Teacher Irene Delaney is a talented pianist who dreams of making music far beyond her small town. As the electricity humming between her and Gavin begins to grow, she worries falling for the striking man will douse her big-city plans. Can Gavin convince Irene she can keep her dreams-and they can still have forever? (Historical Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
A Bride In Store by Melissa Jagears -- Unfortunate events bring mail-order bride Eliza Cantrell to her fiancé's town a week early with no dowry. But Axel, her groom-to-be, isn't even in town. When his friend's mail-order bride arrives in town with no money and no groom in sight, William Stanton feels responsible and lets her help around the store--where she quickly proves she's much more adept at business than he ever will be. The sparks that fly between Will and Eliza as they work together in close quarters are hard to ignore, but Eliza is meant for Axel and a future with the store, while Will is biding his time until he can afford medical school. When Axel finally returns, both Will and Eliza must decide what they're willing to sacrifice to chase their dreams--or if God has a new dream in store for them both. (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker Publishing Group])
The Christmas Brides Collection by Kristin Billerbeck, Lauralee Bliss, Irene B. Brand, Lynn A. Coleman, Kelly Eileen Hake, Vickie McDonough, Tamela Hancock Murray and Therese Stenzel -- Journey back into history to experience Christmas alongside nine brides-to-be whose wedding dreams are overshadowed by doubts and troubles. Meet an English immigrant wanting to return home. A ranchero's daughter being forced to marry a despicable man. A soldier's fiancée facing the realities of war. An optimist who believed a lie. A snowbound woman near death. A do-gooder fighting for orphans. A bride sought only for an inheritance. An orphan protecting her father's land. A motherless daughter wishing for yesterday. Will love shine its light of hope and truth into each life? (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)
Westward Christmas Brides Collection by Wanda E. Brunstetter, Susan Page Davis, Melanie Dobson, Cathy Liggett, Vickie McDonough, Olivia Newport, Janet Spaeth, Jennifer Rogers Spinola and MaryLu Tyndall -- Take the journey into the American west alongside nine women who are chasing their dreams-Cynthia, for security; Beryl, for a new family; Adeline, for freedom; Molly, for marriage; Beth, for a new start; Belinda, for a place to heal; Suzette, for adventure; Carolina, for peace; and Caroline, for a future for her children. (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)
A Grand Teton Sleigh Ride by Elizabeth Goddard and Lynette Sowell -- Four Generations of Wyoming Ranchers Celebrate Love at Christmas. Wyoming's spectacular mountains have drawn many, from trappers to ranchers to skiing enthusiasts. This Christmas, spend the holidays with the Covington family, who have called Wyoming home for generations. Rough, bristly rancher Zebulon sets his sights on eastern lady Belle Murray. Forward-thinking Emily would rather stay a dog musher than become a bride. Outfitter Sam wants to make his name in Wyoming, not say, "I do." Hayley's quest for her father's approval goes sour when she takes an interest in a local ski bum. Will four festive sleigh rides rein in romance? (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)
Historical:
The Lyre and the Lambs by Sydney Avey -- Modernity and tradition clash as two newlywed couples set up house together and their young relatives begin to show up; when a body is found in the backyard, the life they are trying to build comes undone. (Historical from HopeSprings Books)
Romantic Suspense:
Hidden in the Stars: Quilts of Love Series by Robin Caroll -- Following an attack that killed her mother and stole her ability to speak, 21-year-old Sophia Montgomery has no choice but to accept her estranged grandmother's offer to return to their family home. Detective Julian Frazier is working hard on the case, but Sophia's silence frustrates him and thwarts her eyewitness evidence. The fact that Julian is undeniably attracted to Sophia doesn't help either. Little do they know, the clues to solving the case may be right in front of them, displayed in Sophia's mother's "special" quilt design. When the truth comes to light, will Sophia find her voice again? Or will the murderer-still at large-silence her forever? (Romantic Suspense from Abingdon Press)
Under A Turquoise Sky by Lisa Carter -- When Aaron Yazzie is assigned to protect the only witness to a drug cartel execution, he hides high-maintenance Southern belle Kailyn Eudailey in the safest place he knows-the vast, untamed wilderness of the Navajo Nation. (Romantic Suspense from Abingdon Press)
Nowhere to Turn (Hidden Identity) by Lynette Eason -- The day Danielle Harding takes her 11-year-old son, Simon, and flees from her abusive husband, is the same day Kurt Harding dies. A relieved Dani believes she and her son are finally safe--but in reality, the danger has just begun. When Kurt was alive, he took something important to a mysterious person. That person wants the item back and believes Dani now has it. As she and her son run for their lives, they have nowhere to turn, until she hires Adam Buchanan of Operation Refuge and goes into hiding. Unfortunately, she won't be able to hide for long. (Romantic Suspense from Revell [Baker Publishing Group])
Sunken Treasure by Katy Lee -- Shipwreck diver Gage Fontaine is used to modern-day pirates chasing after his boat and the buried treasure he salvages. But when he unknowingly leads a dangerous criminal to the waters off Stepping Stones Island, he puts a beautiful fisherwoman in grave danger. Rachelle Thibodaux has spent the past year hiding on her boat to avoid the town's censure for her father's crimes. But when she comes face-to-face with a gun-wielding pirate, she becomes a new kind of target. To save her own life, she'll have to work with Gage to find the treasure before the pirates do. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Rancher Under Fire by Vickie McDonough -- Jackson Durant would go to any lengths to protect his young daughter and his ranch. He knows the puzzling incidents on his homestead are no accidents. Someone is after him...but who? And why? Reporter Mariah Reyes is determined to find out. She never expected her pursuit of a story on the reclusive rancher would endanger her life-nor that she'd fall for the cowboy. But when Jackson's daughter is kidnapped, she'll do anything to help save the little girl-even if it means becoming a target herself. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Danger at the Border by Terri Reed -- When a mysterious toxin threatens lives and livelihoods near the border between the U.S. and Canada, Dr. Tessa Cleary is called to trace the source. But when the no-nonsense doctor is forced to work with border patrol agent Jeff Steele, she finds the lone wolf's dedication to his job-and country-chipping away at the walls around her heart. Just as Tessa and Jeff are about to uncover the toxin's deadly source, armed thugs kidnap them in the forest. Now they must trust each other to survive before time runs out. (Romantic from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
The Marshal's Pursuit by Gina Welborn -- When her brother is arrested for a gangster's murder, Malia Vaccarelli is plunged into danger. Hiding Malia on his grandparents' Tuxedo Park estate may not be the best idea, but U.S. marshal Frank Louden is determined to do anything to protect her. As their romance blossoms, will Malia's criminal connections force her to choose between her family and her heart? (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Speculative Fiction:
Seek and Hide (Haven Seekers #1) by Amanda G. Stevens -- Six years ago, the government took control of the church. Only re-translated Bibles are legal, and a specialized agency called the Constabulary enforces this and other regulations. Marcus Brenner, a new Christian, will do anything to protect his church family from imprisonment—including risk his own freedom to gain the trust of a government agent. Aubrey Weston recanted her faith when the Constabulary threatened her baby. Now released, she just wants to provide for her son and avoid government notice. But she's targeted again, and this time, her baby is taken into custody. If only she'd never denied Him, maybe God would hear her pleas for help. When Aubrey and Marcus's lives collide, they are forced to confront the lies they believe about themselves. And God is about to grab hold of Marcus's life in a way he'd never expect, turning a loner into a leader. (Speculative Fiction from David C. Cook)
Women's Fiction:
The Story Keeper by Lisa Wingate -- Successful New York editor, Jen Gibbs, is at the top of her game with her new position at Vida House Publishing -- until a mysterious manuscript from an old slush pile appears on her desk. Turning the pages, Jen finds herself drawn into the life of Sarra, a mixed-race Melungeon girl trapped by dangerous men in the turn of the century Appalachia. A risky hunch may lead to The Story Keeper's hidden origins and its unknown author, but when the trail turns toward the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a place Jen thought she'd left behind forever, the price of a blockbuster next book deal may be higher than she's willing to pay. (Women's Fiction from Tyndale House)
More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website.
Action/Adventure:
The Promise by Beth Wiseman -- Mallory Hammond is determined not to let her boyfriend, parents, or anyone else get in the way of her #1 goal-to save a life. A new friend she met online offers her the chance, but she'll have to leave behind everyone she loves to take it. Tate Webber has loved Mallory for years. He begs her not to go, but Mallory embarks on the dangerous journey to Pakistan anyway, only to discover how swiftly and easily promises can be broken. And Mallory can only pray she'll make it out alive. Inspired by actual events, this riveting story will take you on a wild journey and have you asking yourself: How far would I go for love? (Action/Adventure from HarperCollins Christian Publishing)
Amish Romance:
A White Christmas in Webster County by Laura V. Hilton -- Mercy Lapp relocates from Shipshewana to Seymour, Missouri to heal after the death of her beau. Abner Hilty flees Shipshewana to Montana to work on a ranch after he and his twin brother witnessed a murder. Now that the killer is safely behind bars, Abner decides to visit his brother Abram in Missouri. Mercy is surprised to see Abner there, and equally surprised by how much he's changed physically since she's last seen him. As Christmas approaches, an unexpected heavy snow lets Abner and Mercy spend a lot of time together in wintertime fun. Abner hopes to interest Mercy in a more permanent relationship. But then Mercy has a potentially life changing discovery. Will she return to Shipshewana to answer the summons of the past? Or settle in a new place? (Amish Romance from Whitaker House)
Biblical Fiction:
The Legend of Sheba: Rise of a Queen by Tosca Lee -- There is the story you have heard: A foreign queen journeyed north with a caravan of riches to pay tribute to a king favored by the One God. The tale of a queen conquered by a king before returning to her own land laden with gifts. That is the tale you were meant to believe. Which means most of it is a lie. The truth is far more than even the storytellers could conjure. In the tenth century BC, the new Queen of Sheba has inherited her father's throne and all its riches at great personal cost. Solomon, the brash new king of Israel famous for his wealth and wisdom, will not be denied the tribute of the world-or of Sheba's queen. With tensions ready to erupt within her own borders and the future of her nation at stake, the one woman who can match wits with Solomon undertakes the journey of a lifetime in a daring bid to test and win the king. But neither ruler has anticipated the clash of agendas, gods, and passion that threatens to ignite-and ruin-them both. (Biblical Fiction from Howard [Simon & Schuster])
Contemporary Romance:
Christmas Comes to Bethlehem - Maine by Lorraine Beatty, Elizabeth Ludwig, Sandra Robbins and Virginia Vaughan -- This year, spend Christmas in Bethlehem, Maine, as the town prepares for annual living nativities. Will stepping into the roles of Mary and Joseph help empty nesters David and Kate Walters discover the joy of becoming parents again unexpectedly? Can a young pastor and a pretty choir member convince the town to be like three wise men of long ago when a devastating hurricane threatens tradition? Can veterinarian Leesa McElroy survive working alongside a man more at home with camels than Christians? Will the truth about singer Angeline Monroe's abandoned career come to light at Christmas? (Contemporary Romance from Barbour Publishing)
Her Hometown Hero by Margaret Daley -- Home to a Cowboy In a split second, a tragic accident ends Kathleen Somers's ballet career. Her dreams shattered, she returns home to the Soaring S ranch...and her first love. Suddenly the local veterinarian, Dr. Nate Sterling, goes from her ex to her champion. With the help of a lively poodle therapy dog, the cowboy vet sets out to challenge Kathleen's strength and heal her heart. He'll show her there's life beyond dance, even if it means she leaves town again. But maybe, just maybe, he'll convince her there's only one thing in life worth having...and he's standing right in front of her. Caring Canines: Loving and loyal, these dogs mend hearts. (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Campaigning for Love by KD Fleming -- For Katherine Harper, running for city council is about protecting children from the kind of grim childhood she had. And she won't let privileged politician's son Nick Delaney ruin her chances. Like he once ruined her dreams of true love and a family of her own. Nick has his sights set on public office, not on rekindling a star-crossed romance from years ago. Yet as he and Katherine spend time together on the election circuit, his competitor compels him with her beauty and heart of gold. Falling for the opposition was never in his plans, but Nick will give anything to earn Katherine's forgiveness and renew their love. (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes by Betsy St. Amant -- Kat Varland has had enough of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. At twenty-six years old, Kat is still working shifts at her Aunt Maggie's bakery in Bayou Bend, Louisiana. Still wondering what to do with her passion for baking and her business degree. And still single. But when Lucas Brannen, Kat's best friend, signs her up for a reality TV bake-off on Cupcake Combat, everything Kat ever wanted is suddenly dangled in front of her: creative license as a baker, recognition as a visionary . . . and a job at a famous bakery in New York. As the competition heats up, Lucas realizes he might have made a huge mistake. As much as he wants the best for Kat, the only thing he wants for himself---her---is suddenly in danger of slipping away. Lucas is faced with a difficult choice: help his friend achieve her dreams . . . or sabotage her chances to keep her in Louisiana. (Contemporary Romance from HarperCollins Christian Publishing)
General/Contemporary:
Last Family Standing by Jennifer AlLee -- Twenty-five years ago, Monica Stanton gave up a baby girl for adoption. Now, Jessica is willing to meet her birth mother, but she wants the reunion to air on a reality TV show. Monica would rather chew glass than appear on TV. But she'll swallow her pride-and a few other unsavory items-if that's what it takes to reconnect. As if getting to know her grown daughter while competing on a remote island isn't hard enough, Monica is further confused when Jessica's long-lost birth father shows up, complicating both her relationship with her daughter and the attraction Monica has to the hunky reality show host. The fruit-basket upset of emotions, accusations, and regrets might make for good TV, but will it destroy the family in the process? (General/Contemporary from Abingdon Press)
Driftwood Tides by Gina Holmes -- When Holton lost his wife, Adele, in a freak accident, he shut himself off from the world, living a life of seclusion, making drifwood sculptures and drowning his pain in gin. Until his late wife's illegitimate daughter, given up for adoption without his knowledge, knocks on his door. Together Holton and Libby form an unlikely bond as the two struggle to learn the identity of Libby's father and the truth about Adele, themselves, and each other. (General/Contemporary from Tyndale House)
Chapel Springs Revival by Ane Mulligan -- With both the town and her marriage in need of restoration, Claire and her best friend embark on a journey of mishaps and miscommunication. (General/Contemporary from Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas)
Historical Romance:
Ozark Wedding by Helen Gray -- Gavin is determined to bring his sleepy hometown of Deer Lick, Missouri, into the electric age. But he doesn't count on his wayward brother's schoolhouse hijinks getting in the way-or the lovely teacher who sends Gavin's heart into a tailspin. Teacher Irene Delaney is a talented pianist who dreams of making music far beyond her small town. As the electricity humming between her and Gavin begins to grow, she worries falling for the striking man will douse her big-city plans. Can Gavin convince Irene she can keep her dreams-and they can still have forever? (Historical Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
A Bride In Store by Melissa Jagears -- Unfortunate events bring mail-order bride Eliza Cantrell to her fiancé's town a week early with no dowry. But Axel, her groom-to-be, isn't even in town. When his friend's mail-order bride arrives in town with no money and no groom in sight, William Stanton feels responsible and lets her help around the store--where she quickly proves she's much more adept at business than he ever will be. The sparks that fly between Will and Eliza as they work together in close quarters are hard to ignore, but Eliza is meant for Axel and a future with the store, while Will is biding his time until he can afford medical school. When Axel finally returns, both Will and Eliza must decide what they're willing to sacrifice to chase their dreams--or if God has a new dream in store for them both. (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker Publishing Group])
The Christmas Brides Collection by Kristin Billerbeck, Lauralee Bliss, Irene B. Brand, Lynn A. Coleman, Kelly Eileen Hake, Vickie McDonough, Tamela Hancock Murray and Therese Stenzel -- Journey back into history to experience Christmas alongside nine brides-to-be whose wedding dreams are overshadowed by doubts and troubles. Meet an English immigrant wanting to return home. A ranchero's daughter being forced to marry a despicable man. A soldier's fiancée facing the realities of war. An optimist who believed a lie. A snowbound woman near death. A do-gooder fighting for orphans. A bride sought only for an inheritance. An orphan protecting her father's land. A motherless daughter wishing for yesterday. Will love shine its light of hope and truth into each life? (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)
Westward Christmas Brides Collection by Wanda E. Brunstetter, Susan Page Davis, Melanie Dobson, Cathy Liggett, Vickie McDonough, Olivia Newport, Janet Spaeth, Jennifer Rogers Spinola and MaryLu Tyndall -- Take the journey into the American west alongside nine women who are chasing their dreams-Cynthia, for security; Beryl, for a new family; Adeline, for freedom; Molly, for marriage; Beth, for a new start; Belinda, for a place to heal; Suzette, for adventure; Carolina, for peace; and Caroline, for a future for her children. (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)
A Grand Teton Sleigh Ride by Elizabeth Goddard and Lynette Sowell -- Four Generations of Wyoming Ranchers Celebrate Love at Christmas. Wyoming's spectacular mountains have drawn many, from trappers to ranchers to skiing enthusiasts. This Christmas, spend the holidays with the Covington family, who have called Wyoming home for generations. Rough, bristly rancher Zebulon sets his sights on eastern lady Belle Murray. Forward-thinking Emily would rather stay a dog musher than become a bride. Outfitter Sam wants to make his name in Wyoming, not say, "I do." Hayley's quest for her father's approval goes sour when she takes an interest in a local ski bum. Will four festive sleigh rides rein in romance? (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)
Historical:
The Lyre and the Lambs by Sydney Avey -- Modernity and tradition clash as two newlywed couples set up house together and their young relatives begin to show up; when a body is found in the backyard, the life they are trying to build comes undone. (Historical from HopeSprings Books)
Romantic Suspense:
Hidden in the Stars: Quilts of Love Series by Robin Caroll -- Following an attack that killed her mother and stole her ability to speak, 21-year-old Sophia Montgomery has no choice but to accept her estranged grandmother's offer to return to their family home. Detective Julian Frazier is working hard on the case, but Sophia's silence frustrates him and thwarts her eyewitness evidence. The fact that Julian is undeniably attracted to Sophia doesn't help either. Little do they know, the clues to solving the case may be right in front of them, displayed in Sophia's mother's "special" quilt design. When the truth comes to light, will Sophia find her voice again? Or will the murderer-still at large-silence her forever? (Romantic Suspense from Abingdon Press)
Under A Turquoise Sky by Lisa Carter -- When Aaron Yazzie is assigned to protect the only witness to a drug cartel execution, he hides high-maintenance Southern belle Kailyn Eudailey in the safest place he knows-the vast, untamed wilderness of the Navajo Nation. (Romantic Suspense from Abingdon Press)
Nowhere to Turn (Hidden Identity) by Lynette Eason -- The day Danielle Harding takes her 11-year-old son, Simon, and flees from her abusive husband, is the same day Kurt Harding dies. A relieved Dani believes she and her son are finally safe--but in reality, the danger has just begun. When Kurt was alive, he took something important to a mysterious person. That person wants the item back and believes Dani now has it. As she and her son run for their lives, they have nowhere to turn, until she hires Adam Buchanan of Operation Refuge and goes into hiding. Unfortunately, she won't be able to hide for long. (Romantic Suspense from Revell [Baker Publishing Group])
Sunken Treasure by Katy Lee -- Shipwreck diver Gage Fontaine is used to modern-day pirates chasing after his boat and the buried treasure he salvages. But when he unknowingly leads a dangerous criminal to the waters off Stepping Stones Island, he puts a beautiful fisherwoman in grave danger. Rachelle Thibodaux has spent the past year hiding on her boat to avoid the town's censure for her father's crimes. But when she comes face-to-face with a gun-wielding pirate, she becomes a new kind of target. To save her own life, she'll have to work with Gage to find the treasure before the pirates do. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Rancher Under Fire by Vickie McDonough -- Jackson Durant would go to any lengths to protect his young daughter and his ranch. He knows the puzzling incidents on his homestead are no accidents. Someone is after him...but who? And why? Reporter Mariah Reyes is determined to find out. She never expected her pursuit of a story on the reclusive rancher would endanger her life-nor that she'd fall for the cowboy. But when Jackson's daughter is kidnapped, she'll do anything to help save the little girl-even if it means becoming a target herself. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Danger at the Border by Terri Reed -- When a mysterious toxin threatens lives and livelihoods near the border between the U.S. and Canada, Dr. Tessa Cleary is called to trace the source. But when the no-nonsense doctor is forced to work with border patrol agent Jeff Steele, she finds the lone wolf's dedication to his job-and country-chipping away at the walls around her heart. Just as Tessa and Jeff are about to uncover the toxin's deadly source, armed thugs kidnap them in the forest. Now they must trust each other to survive before time runs out. (Romantic from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
The Marshal's Pursuit by Gina Welborn -- When her brother is arrested for a gangster's murder, Malia Vaccarelli is plunged into danger. Hiding Malia on his grandparents' Tuxedo Park estate may not be the best idea, but U.S. marshal Frank Louden is determined to do anything to protect her. As their romance blossoms, will Malia's criminal connections force her to choose between her family and her heart? (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Speculative Fiction:
Seek and Hide (Haven Seekers #1) by Amanda G. Stevens -- Six years ago, the government took control of the church. Only re-translated Bibles are legal, and a specialized agency called the Constabulary enforces this and other regulations. Marcus Brenner, a new Christian, will do anything to protect his church family from imprisonment—including risk his own freedom to gain the trust of a government agent. Aubrey Weston recanted her faith when the Constabulary threatened her baby. Now released, she just wants to provide for her son and avoid government notice. But she's targeted again, and this time, her baby is taken into custody. If only she'd never denied Him, maybe God would hear her pleas for help. When Aubrey and Marcus's lives collide, they are forced to confront the lies they believe about themselves. And God is about to grab hold of Marcus's life in a way he'd never expect, turning a loner into a leader. (Speculative Fiction from David C. Cook)
Women's Fiction:
The Story Keeper by Lisa Wingate -- Successful New York editor, Jen Gibbs, is at the top of her game with her new position at Vida House Publishing -- until a mysterious manuscript from an old slush pile appears on her desk. Turning the pages, Jen finds herself drawn into the life of Sarra, a mixed-race Melungeon girl trapped by dangerous men in the turn of the century Appalachia. A risky hunch may lead to The Story Keeper's hidden origins and its unknown author, but when the trail turns toward the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a place Jen thought she'd left behind forever, the price of a blockbuster next book deal may be higher than she's willing to pay. (Women's Fiction from Tyndale House)
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
New Releases: July 2014
July 2014 New Releases
More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website.
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)
More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website.
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)
Thursday, May 1, 2014
ACFW New Releases: May 2014
May 2014 New Releases
More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website.
Contemporary Romance:
One More Last Chance by Cathleen Armstrong -- Sarah Cooley's ex-fiancé wanted to change everything about her. She has come home to Last Chance, New Mexico, for one reason--because it stays the same. Chris Reed, on the other hand, wants nothing more than to spark some change in the little town. He's shaking things up to draw folks from all over the Southwest into his new restaurant. As it turns out, the winds of change are blowing into Last Chance--just not in the ways that Sarah or Chris might expect. (Contemporary Romance from Revell [Baker Publishing Group])
The Nurse's Perfect Match by Narelle Atkins -- After her marriage ends in tragedy, nurse Amy Wilkins returns to Snowgum Creek to rebuild her life. There she meets widower Ben Morton, who's not looking for romance, though his young children are eager for Amy's attention. She's given up on her dream of being a mother, but can't ignore how she's drawn to Ben's little ones, and to their handsome farmer dad. As love kindles between Ben and Amy, she worries how she'll ever measure up to the wife he lost. And Ben is concerned about how Amy ever truly fit into life on the farm. They could be the answer to each other's prayers—if the secret Amy is keeping doesn't tear them apart. (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
One Perfect Spring by Irene Hannon -- Claire Summers is a single mother who is doing her best to make lemonade out of the lemons life has handed her. Keith Watson is an executive assistant to a philanthropic businessman and is used to fielding requests for donations. But when a letter from Claire's eleven-year-old daughter reaches his desk, everything changes. The girl isn't asking for money, but for help finding the long-lost son of an older neighbor. As Keith digs reluctantly into this complicated assignment, he has no idea how intertwined his life and Claire's will become--nor how one little girl's kindhearted request will touch so many lives and reap so many blessings. (Contemporary Romance from Revell [Baker Publishing Group])
Tumbleweed Weddings by Donna Reimel Robinson -- Watch as true love triples in tiny Ft. Lob, Wyoming, where three siblings each find love unexpectedly. Callie Brandt thinks she's destined to be a spinster librarian. . .until a gorgeous newcomer arrives in town. Tonya Brandt is so self-absorbed, she just might miss out on true love. . .until a secret admirer helps her see that true beauty is much more than skin deep. Derek Brandt sees no good reason to disrupt his life with a wife right now. . .until he realizes the best girl for him might not wait around forever. (Contemporary Romance from Barbour Publishing)
A Season of Change by Lynette Sowell -- Amish widower Jacob Miller is Stranded in Sarasota until his daughter recovers after being struck by a car. Jacob grows increasingly wary of his unfamiliar surroundings-including the strange curiosity of Englischer Natalie Bennett. Natalie never thought her circus career as an aerial silks artist would end with a blown-out knee at the age of 25. She also never knew her late mother had a secret-that she was once Amish. When Natalie meets the Millers at the Sarasota hospital, she wonders if they can help her find her mother's family. As Jacob and Natalie fall in love, their worlds collide. Will their differences tear them apart? Or will their love be strong enough to blend their clashing cultures? (Contemporary Romance from Abingdon Press)
Here to Stay by Melissa Tagg -- After playing nomad for five years, Blake Hunziker has finally returned to Whisper Shore. He's stunned at not only a warm welcome from his hometown but also a job offer contingent on his pulling off the annual Christmas Festival. If only he knew the first thing about coordinating events... If there's one thing Autumn Kingsley knows, it's Whisper Shore. For years, she's been stuck running her family's inn when all she wants is to see the world. Now she has an appointment with a potential investor who could take over the inn, as well as a dream job offer in Paris. But with just two weeks to whip the inn into shape, her chance at escape is a long shot. The Hunzikers and the Kingsleys don't get along, but Blake knows Autumn's the only one who can help him. She agrees to help with the Festival if he'll help with inn repairs. Their simple trade becomes much more involved when the guy who's done running away joins forces with the girl who can't wait to leave. (Contemporary Romance from Bethany House [Baker Publishing Group])
Meant to Be Mine by Becky Wade -- After a whirlwind romance deposits them at a Las Vegas wedding chapel, Ty Porter and Cecilia Park wake to a marriage certificate and a dose of cold reality. Celia's ready to be Ty's wife, but Ty's not ready to be her husband. He's a professional bull rider, he lives on the road, and he's long planned to settle down with the hometown girl he's known since childhood. Five and a half years pass. Celia's buried her dreams so that she can afford to raise her daughter. Ty's achieved all of his goals. Or thought he had, until he looks again into the eyes of the woman he couldn't forget and into the face of the child he never knew he had. How much will Ty sacrifice to win back Celia's trust and prove to her that their spontaneous marriage can still become the love of a lifetime? (Contemporary Romance from Bethany House [Baker Publishing Group])
Young Adult Speculative Fiction:
Merlin's Nightmare by Robert Treskillard -- Merlin, tired of hiding and running from his enemies, wants nothing more than to spend his days with his family and train Arthur for his rightful place as king. But when Arthur goes missing, a desperate Merlin must abandon all other quests to find him before a shadowy pursuer catches Arthur first. Having almost nothing to fight with, Merlin and Arthur must rally Britain's warriors against three overwhelming enemies: Saxenow hordes in the south, Picti raiders in the north, and a chilling new enemy that has arisen in the west. At the same time, Morgana brings Merlin's deepest fear to life and sets a horde of werewolves loose to destroy Britain. Will Merlin and Arthur find a way to survive-without unleashing an even greater evil? (Fantasy from HarperCollins Christian Publishing [Thomas Nelson & Zondervan])
Historical:
Through the Deep Waters by Kim Vogel Sawyer -- Born to an unloving prostitute in a popular Chicago brothel, timid seventeen-year-old Dinah Hubley was raised amidst the secrets held in every dark, grimy room of her home. Anxious to escape, Dinah pursues her dream of becoming a Harvey Girl, waiting tables along the railroad in an upscale hotel. But when she finds out she isn't old enough, her only option is to accept a job as a chambermaid at the Clifton Hotel in Florence, Kansas. The Clifton offers a life Dinah has never known, but blinded to the love around her, Dinah remains buried in the shame of her past. When a handsome chicken farmer named Amos Ackerman starts to show interest, Dinah withdraws further, convinced no one could want a sullied woman like her. Despite his self-consciousness about his handicapped leg and her strange behavior, Amos resolves to show Dinah Christ's love. But can she ever accept a gift she so desperately needs? (Historical from Waterbrook/Multnomah [Random House])
Historical Romance:
Out of the Ruins by Karen Barnett -- While her sister lies on her deathbed, Abby Fischer prays for a miracle. What Abby doesn't expect, however, is for God's answer to come in the form of the handsome Dr. Robert King, whose experimental treatment is risky at best. As they work together toward a cure, Abby's feelings for Robert become hopelessly entangled. Separated by the tragedy of the mighty San Francisco earthquake, their relationship suddenly takes a back seat to survival. With fires raging throughout the city, Abby fears for her life as she flees alone through burning streets. Where is God now? Will Robert find Abby, even as the world burns around them? Or has their love fallen with the ruins of the city? (Historical Romance from Abingdon Press)
The Heart's Pursuit by Robin Lee Hatcher -- Silver Matlock is a Colorado beauty in search of revenge against the man who stranded her at the altar and fled with the remnant of her family's fortune. Jared Newman, rugged as the West itself, is relentless in his pursuit of lawless men---but unable to escape his own tragic past. Hardened by his life as a bounty hunter, he must learn to forgive before he loses his soul. Joining forces, the two set out in search of Silver's betrayer. The handsome but embittered Jared finds himself powerfully drawn to the beautiful woman whose drive for justice equals his own. But lack of honesty keeps Silver and Jared from fully trusting each other, even as a shocking revelation intensifies their pursuit of the cunning---and deadly---quarry. (Historical Romance from HarperCollins Christian Publishing [Thomas Nelson & Zondervan])
While Love Stirs by Lorna Seilstad -- After graduating from Fannie Farmer's School of Cookery in 1910, Charlotte Gregory is ready to stir things up. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to travel, lecture, and give cooking demonstrations on the very latest kitchen revolution--the gas stove--and certainly doesn't mind that the gas company has hired the handsome Lewis Mathis to perform at her lectures. Lewis encourages her work, especially her crusade to introduce fresh, appetizing, nutritious food to those convalescing in hospitals. But young hospital superintendent Dr. Joel Brooks is not convinced any changes should be made--especially by this outspoken young woman. When Charlotte and Joel are coerced into planning a fund-raising gala for the hospital, will this combustible pair explode? (Historical Romance from Revell [Baker Publishing Group])
Branding the Wrangler's Heart by Davalynn Spencer -- Whitaker Hutton always gets his way. When cattle go missing from the Bar-HB Ranch, the tenacious foreman will stop at nothing to find them. But his boss's granddaughter, Olivia Hartman, is more than Whit bargained for. Once the victim of Whit's childhood pranks, Livvy has grown into a feisty beauty. Livvy can't forget the way Whit used to tease her. Even worse, he doesn't think she's capable of helping in the roundup. She could stay mad at him forever-if he wouldn't act all sweet toward her. But when he literally rides to her rescue, Livvy starts to wonder whether her old enemy might turn out to be much more than a friend. (Historical Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Contemporary Women's Fiction:
All My Belongings by Cynthia Ruchti -- After years of running from the shame her father put on her family, Jayne is determined not to let him steal her future. Changing her name to Becca Morrow, she moves to California and settles into a new job caring for the ailing mother of intriguing but caregiver-challenged young businessman, Isaac Hughes. Just as she's wondering if she and Isaac are headed for a relationship, Becca's patient passes away under unusual circumstances. Suddenly, her past catches up with her and the unnerving details of her heritage threaten to destroy all hope for love. Even if she could clear her name, her estranged father now calls for her help. But can Becca open her new life to the man who ruined her past? (Contemporary from Abingdon Press)
General Fiction:
Chateau of Secrets by Melanie Dobson -- Giséle Duchant guards a secret that could cost her life. Tunnels snake through the hill under her family's medieval chateau in Normandy. When German soldiers take over the family's chateau, Giséle is forced to host them-while harboring resistance fighters right below their feet. Taking in a Jewish friend's baby, she convinces the Nazis that it is her child, ultimately risking everything for the future of the child. When the German officers begin to suspect her deception, an unlikely hero rescues both her and the child. Seventy years later, Chloe Sauver, Giséle's granddaughter, arrives in Normandy. After calling off her engagement with a political candidate, Chloe pays a visit to the chateau to escape publicity and work with a documentary filmmaker, Riley, who has uncovered a fascinating story about Jews serving in Hitler's army. Riley wants to research Chloe's family history and the lives that were saved in the tunnels under their house in Normandy. Chloe is floored-her family isn't Jewish, for one thing, and she doesn't know anything about tunnels or the history of the house. But as she begins to explore the dark and winding passageways beneath the chateau, nothing can prepare her for the shock of what she and Riley discover… (Contemporary from Howard [Simon & Schuster])
Medical Thriller:
Third Trimester by Dianna T. Benson -- Paramedic Jodi Duncan recognizes the work of a serial killer before the Myrtle Beach Detective Nate Quigley even suspects a connection between the deaths of two pregnant women. 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 passion for the cases. When a third pregnant woman is murdered, Nate works to link the deaths in order to unmask and stop the serial murderer, a disturbed man who fixates on Jodi since he discovered her obsession with ending his rampage. (Medical Suspense from Ellechor Publishing House, LLC)
Supernatural Thriller:
Spirit Bridge by James L. Rubart -- The Warriors Riding, Reece, Dana, Brandon, and Marcus, have battled in astounding supernatural realms, set captives free, and awakened thousands of hearts . . . but each is reeling from vicious attacks. The warlord demon Zennon is raging and will give them no quarter. Now their only chance of survival depends on calling for The Spirit Bridge. But Zennon holds a hidden strategy that will detonate the team from the inside out. And he's just set it loose. (Supernatural Thriller from HarperCollins Christian Publishing [Thomas Nelson & Zondervan])
Romantic Suspense:
Bodyguard Reunion by Margaret Daley -- Reunions can be deadly. Teaming up with an old flame is not what bodyguard Chloe Howard would call a smart move. Nine years ago Chloe and T. J. Davenport worked on a case together, fell in love, then went their separate ways. Now she's reunited with the fearless bodyguard to protect a controversial couple on a book tour through Texas. The reunion reminds Chloe of dreams best forgotten. She knows she has to keep her emotions in check so their clients' protection remains their top priority. Protection that is the only thing keeping them from falling prey to a stalker's deadly schemes. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Raptor 6 by Ronie Kendig -- Captain Dean Watters keeps his mission and his team in the forefront of his laser-like focus. So when these two things are threatened by hackers, Dean's Special Forces training kicks into high gear. Failing to stop the hackers from stealing national security secrets from the military's secure computers and networks isn't an option. Zahrah Zarrick is a missionary teacher to Afghan children in Mazar-e Sharif. And a target. When Zahrah is captured because of her expertise in quantum cryptology, endangering the US national security, Dean is forced to crack the lockbox around his heart-a move that might come at the highest cost. (Romantic Suspense from Barbour Publishing)
Grave Danger by Katy Lee -- When skeletal remains are found on a small Maine island, forensic anthropologist Lydia Muir is sent to investigate the time of death. Island sheriff Wesley Grant seems sure the murder didn't happen on his watch. But when Lydia uncovers the victim's identity, someone goes to great lengths to get Lydia off the island. Wes vows to protect her, but is the handsome lawman holding something back? To help catch a killer, she'll have to trust him-or become the next victim. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Trail of Secrets by Sandra Robbins -- "CALL SETH." After a brutal attack, that's all that Callie Lattimer's uncle Dan, a former police officer, can say. Callie knows that Memphis cop Seth Dawtry will help, even if it means working with the woman who rejected him. The attack seems tied to a decades-old unsolved murder Dan could never let go. Now it's up to Seth and Callie to follow the clues. But as they uncover answers, they discover the real threat is closer than they ever thought possible. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Children's/Middle Grade:
Samantha Sanderson: At the Movies by Robin Caroll -- Sam Sanderson is an independent, resourceful, high-tech cheerleader. She dreams of becoming an award-winning journalist like her mother, and so she's always looking for articles she can publish in her middle-school paper (where she secretly hopes to become editor). And with a police officer for a father, Sam is in no short supply for writing material. When an explosive device is found in the local theater, Sam gets the lead on this developing and controversial story. The movie theater has recently come under attack by a renowned, outspoken atheist for allowing a local church to show Christian movies. Sam's police-officer father is heading the investigation, and Sam can't resist doing some sleuthing of her own with the help of her best friend Makayla's techno-genius. But when Sam's theories end up being printed in the school paper, she lands in big trouble---and danger! (Children's/Middle Grade Fiction from HarperCollins Christian Publishing [Thomas Nelson & Zondervan])
Samantha Sanderson: On the Scene by Robin Caroll -- What if getting to the bottom of a mystery means learning how to love your enemy? As Samantha and the rest of the middle schoolers prepare for the upcoming Spring Fest, 'mean girl' Nikki faces the reality that her parents are getting divorced. Samantha has a hard time sympathizing---Nikki has never been very nice to anyone, let alone Samantha. But when Nikki becomes victim of a string of attacks, Sam takes it upon herself and uses her super sleuth abilities to get to the bottom of the bullying. After all, articles on bullying are just what the school paper needs instead of all that silly fluff like popularity tips. Samantha enlists the help of her tech-savvy BFF, Makayla, but while the two track down clues, they leave a trail of trouble behind---and may even be directly responsible for the break-in of their very own school's computer lab! (Children's/Middle Grade Fiction from HarperCollins Christian Publishing [Thomas Nelson & Zondervan])
More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website.
Contemporary Romance:
One More Last Chance by Cathleen Armstrong -- Sarah Cooley's ex-fiancé wanted to change everything about her. She has come home to Last Chance, New Mexico, for one reason--because it stays the same. Chris Reed, on the other hand, wants nothing more than to spark some change in the little town. He's shaking things up to draw folks from all over the Southwest into his new restaurant. As it turns out, the winds of change are blowing into Last Chance--just not in the ways that Sarah or Chris might expect. (Contemporary Romance from Revell [Baker Publishing Group])
The Nurse's Perfect Match by Narelle Atkins -- After her marriage ends in tragedy, nurse Amy Wilkins returns to Snowgum Creek to rebuild her life. There she meets widower Ben Morton, who's not looking for romance, though his young children are eager for Amy's attention. She's given up on her dream of being a mother, but can't ignore how she's drawn to Ben's little ones, and to their handsome farmer dad. As love kindles between Ben and Amy, she worries how she'll ever measure up to the wife he lost. And Ben is concerned about how Amy ever truly fit into life on the farm. They could be the answer to each other's prayers—if the secret Amy is keeping doesn't tear them apart. (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
One Perfect Spring by Irene Hannon -- Claire Summers is a single mother who is doing her best to make lemonade out of the lemons life has handed her. Keith Watson is an executive assistant to a philanthropic businessman and is used to fielding requests for donations. But when a letter from Claire's eleven-year-old daughter reaches his desk, everything changes. The girl isn't asking for money, but for help finding the long-lost son of an older neighbor. As Keith digs reluctantly into this complicated assignment, he has no idea how intertwined his life and Claire's will become--nor how one little girl's kindhearted request will touch so many lives and reap so many blessings. (Contemporary Romance from Revell [Baker Publishing Group])
Tumbleweed Weddings by Donna Reimel Robinson -- Watch as true love triples in tiny Ft. Lob, Wyoming, where three siblings each find love unexpectedly. Callie Brandt thinks she's destined to be a spinster librarian. . .until a gorgeous newcomer arrives in town. Tonya Brandt is so self-absorbed, she just might miss out on true love. . .until a secret admirer helps her see that true beauty is much more than skin deep. Derek Brandt sees no good reason to disrupt his life with a wife right now. . .until he realizes the best girl for him might not wait around forever. (Contemporary Romance from Barbour Publishing)
A Season of Change by Lynette Sowell -- Amish widower Jacob Miller is Stranded in Sarasota until his daughter recovers after being struck by a car. Jacob grows increasingly wary of his unfamiliar surroundings-including the strange curiosity of Englischer Natalie Bennett. Natalie never thought her circus career as an aerial silks artist would end with a blown-out knee at the age of 25. She also never knew her late mother had a secret-that she was once Amish. When Natalie meets the Millers at the Sarasota hospital, she wonders if they can help her find her mother's family. As Jacob and Natalie fall in love, their worlds collide. Will their differences tear them apart? Or will their love be strong enough to blend their clashing cultures? (Contemporary Romance from Abingdon Press)
Here to Stay by Melissa Tagg -- After playing nomad for five years, Blake Hunziker has finally returned to Whisper Shore. He's stunned at not only a warm welcome from his hometown but also a job offer contingent on his pulling off the annual Christmas Festival. If only he knew the first thing about coordinating events... If there's one thing Autumn Kingsley knows, it's Whisper Shore. For years, she's been stuck running her family's inn when all she wants is to see the world. Now she has an appointment with a potential investor who could take over the inn, as well as a dream job offer in Paris. But with just two weeks to whip the inn into shape, her chance at escape is a long shot. The Hunzikers and the Kingsleys don't get along, but Blake knows Autumn's the only one who can help him. She agrees to help with the Festival if he'll help with inn repairs. Their simple trade becomes much more involved when the guy who's done running away joins forces with the girl who can't wait to leave. (Contemporary Romance from Bethany House [Baker Publishing Group])
Meant to Be Mine by Becky Wade -- After a whirlwind romance deposits them at a Las Vegas wedding chapel, Ty Porter and Cecilia Park wake to a marriage certificate and a dose of cold reality. Celia's ready to be Ty's wife, but Ty's not ready to be her husband. He's a professional bull rider, he lives on the road, and he's long planned to settle down with the hometown girl he's known since childhood. Five and a half years pass. Celia's buried her dreams so that she can afford to raise her daughter. Ty's achieved all of his goals. Or thought he had, until he looks again into the eyes of the woman he couldn't forget and into the face of the child he never knew he had. How much will Ty sacrifice to win back Celia's trust and prove to her that their spontaneous marriage can still become the love of a lifetime? (Contemporary Romance from Bethany House [Baker Publishing Group])
Young Adult Speculative Fiction:
Merlin's Nightmare by Robert Treskillard -- Merlin, tired of hiding and running from his enemies, wants nothing more than to spend his days with his family and train Arthur for his rightful place as king. But when Arthur goes missing, a desperate Merlin must abandon all other quests to find him before a shadowy pursuer catches Arthur first. Having almost nothing to fight with, Merlin and Arthur must rally Britain's warriors against three overwhelming enemies: Saxenow hordes in the south, Picti raiders in the north, and a chilling new enemy that has arisen in the west. At the same time, Morgana brings Merlin's deepest fear to life and sets a horde of werewolves loose to destroy Britain. Will Merlin and Arthur find a way to survive-without unleashing an even greater evil? (Fantasy from HarperCollins Christian Publishing [Thomas Nelson & Zondervan])
Historical:
Through the Deep Waters by Kim Vogel Sawyer -- Born to an unloving prostitute in a popular Chicago brothel, timid seventeen-year-old Dinah Hubley was raised amidst the secrets held in every dark, grimy room of her home. Anxious to escape, Dinah pursues her dream of becoming a Harvey Girl, waiting tables along the railroad in an upscale hotel. But when she finds out she isn't old enough, her only option is to accept a job as a chambermaid at the Clifton Hotel in Florence, Kansas. The Clifton offers a life Dinah has never known, but blinded to the love around her, Dinah remains buried in the shame of her past. When a handsome chicken farmer named Amos Ackerman starts to show interest, Dinah withdraws further, convinced no one could want a sullied woman like her. Despite his self-consciousness about his handicapped leg and her strange behavior, Amos resolves to show Dinah Christ's love. But can she ever accept a gift she so desperately needs? (Historical from Waterbrook/Multnomah [Random House])
Historical Romance:
Out of the Ruins by Karen Barnett -- While her sister lies on her deathbed, Abby Fischer prays for a miracle. What Abby doesn't expect, however, is for God's answer to come in the form of the handsome Dr. Robert King, whose experimental treatment is risky at best. As they work together toward a cure, Abby's feelings for Robert become hopelessly entangled. Separated by the tragedy of the mighty San Francisco earthquake, their relationship suddenly takes a back seat to survival. With fires raging throughout the city, Abby fears for her life as she flees alone through burning streets. Where is God now? Will Robert find Abby, even as the world burns around them? Or has their love fallen with the ruins of the city? (Historical Romance from Abingdon Press)
The Heart's Pursuit by Robin Lee Hatcher -- Silver Matlock is a Colorado beauty in search of revenge against the man who stranded her at the altar and fled with the remnant of her family's fortune. Jared Newman, rugged as the West itself, is relentless in his pursuit of lawless men---but unable to escape his own tragic past. Hardened by his life as a bounty hunter, he must learn to forgive before he loses his soul. Joining forces, the two set out in search of Silver's betrayer. The handsome but embittered Jared finds himself powerfully drawn to the beautiful woman whose drive for justice equals his own. But lack of honesty keeps Silver and Jared from fully trusting each other, even as a shocking revelation intensifies their pursuit of the cunning---and deadly---quarry. (Historical Romance from HarperCollins Christian Publishing [Thomas Nelson & Zondervan])
While Love Stirs by Lorna Seilstad -- After graduating from Fannie Farmer's School of Cookery in 1910, Charlotte Gregory is ready to stir things up. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to travel, lecture, and give cooking demonstrations on the very latest kitchen revolution--the gas stove--and certainly doesn't mind that the gas company has hired the handsome Lewis Mathis to perform at her lectures. Lewis encourages her work, especially her crusade to introduce fresh, appetizing, nutritious food to those convalescing in hospitals. But young hospital superintendent Dr. Joel Brooks is not convinced any changes should be made--especially by this outspoken young woman. When Charlotte and Joel are coerced into planning a fund-raising gala for the hospital, will this combustible pair explode? (Historical Romance from Revell [Baker Publishing Group])
Branding the Wrangler's Heart by Davalynn Spencer -- Whitaker Hutton always gets his way. When cattle go missing from the Bar-HB Ranch, the tenacious foreman will stop at nothing to find them. But his boss's granddaughter, Olivia Hartman, is more than Whit bargained for. Once the victim of Whit's childhood pranks, Livvy has grown into a feisty beauty. Livvy can't forget the way Whit used to tease her. Even worse, he doesn't think she's capable of helping in the roundup. She could stay mad at him forever-if he wouldn't act all sweet toward her. But when he literally rides to her rescue, Livvy starts to wonder whether her old enemy might turn out to be much more than a friend. (Historical Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Contemporary Women's Fiction:
All My Belongings by Cynthia Ruchti -- After years of running from the shame her father put on her family, Jayne is determined not to let him steal her future. Changing her name to Becca Morrow, she moves to California and settles into a new job caring for the ailing mother of intriguing but caregiver-challenged young businessman, Isaac Hughes. Just as she's wondering if she and Isaac are headed for a relationship, Becca's patient passes away under unusual circumstances. Suddenly, her past catches up with her and the unnerving details of her heritage threaten to destroy all hope for love. Even if she could clear her name, her estranged father now calls for her help. But can Becca open her new life to the man who ruined her past? (Contemporary from Abingdon Press)
General Fiction:
Chateau of Secrets by Melanie Dobson -- Giséle Duchant guards a secret that could cost her life. Tunnels snake through the hill under her family's medieval chateau in Normandy. When German soldiers take over the family's chateau, Giséle is forced to host them-while harboring resistance fighters right below their feet. Taking in a Jewish friend's baby, she convinces the Nazis that it is her child, ultimately risking everything for the future of the child. When the German officers begin to suspect her deception, an unlikely hero rescues both her and the child. Seventy years later, Chloe Sauver, Giséle's granddaughter, arrives in Normandy. After calling off her engagement with a political candidate, Chloe pays a visit to the chateau to escape publicity and work with a documentary filmmaker, Riley, who has uncovered a fascinating story about Jews serving in Hitler's army. Riley wants to research Chloe's family history and the lives that were saved in the tunnels under their house in Normandy. Chloe is floored-her family isn't Jewish, for one thing, and she doesn't know anything about tunnels or the history of the house. But as she begins to explore the dark and winding passageways beneath the chateau, nothing can prepare her for the shock of what she and Riley discover… (Contemporary from Howard [Simon & Schuster])
Medical Thriller:
Third Trimester by Dianna T. Benson -- Paramedic Jodi Duncan recognizes the work of a serial killer before the Myrtle Beach Detective Nate Quigley even suspects a connection between the deaths of two pregnant women. 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 passion for the cases. When a third pregnant woman is murdered, Nate works to link the deaths in order to unmask and stop the serial murderer, a disturbed man who fixates on Jodi since he discovered her obsession with ending his rampage. (Medical Suspense from Ellechor Publishing House, LLC)
Supernatural Thriller:
Spirit Bridge by James L. Rubart -- The Warriors Riding, Reece, Dana, Brandon, and Marcus, have battled in astounding supernatural realms, set captives free, and awakened thousands of hearts . . . but each is reeling from vicious attacks. The warlord demon Zennon is raging and will give them no quarter. Now their only chance of survival depends on calling for The Spirit Bridge. But Zennon holds a hidden strategy that will detonate the team from the inside out. And he's just set it loose. (Supernatural Thriller from HarperCollins Christian Publishing [Thomas Nelson & Zondervan])
Romantic Suspense:
Bodyguard Reunion by Margaret Daley -- Reunions can be deadly. Teaming up with an old flame is not what bodyguard Chloe Howard would call a smart move. Nine years ago Chloe and T. J. Davenport worked on a case together, fell in love, then went their separate ways. Now she's reunited with the fearless bodyguard to protect a controversial couple on a book tour through Texas. The reunion reminds Chloe of dreams best forgotten. She knows she has to keep her emotions in check so their clients' protection remains their top priority. Protection that is the only thing keeping them from falling prey to a stalker's deadly schemes. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Raptor 6 by Ronie Kendig -- Captain Dean Watters keeps his mission and his team in the forefront of his laser-like focus. So when these two things are threatened by hackers, Dean's Special Forces training kicks into high gear. Failing to stop the hackers from stealing national security secrets from the military's secure computers and networks isn't an option. Zahrah Zarrick is a missionary teacher to Afghan children in Mazar-e Sharif. And a target. When Zahrah is captured because of her expertise in quantum cryptology, endangering the US national security, Dean is forced to crack the lockbox around his heart-a move that might come at the highest cost. (Romantic Suspense from Barbour Publishing)
Grave Danger by Katy Lee -- When skeletal remains are found on a small Maine island, forensic anthropologist Lydia Muir is sent to investigate the time of death. Island sheriff Wesley Grant seems sure the murder didn't happen on his watch. But when Lydia uncovers the victim's identity, someone goes to great lengths to get Lydia off the island. Wes vows to protect her, but is the handsome lawman holding something back? To help catch a killer, she'll have to trust him-or become the next victim. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Trail of Secrets by Sandra Robbins -- "CALL SETH." After a brutal attack, that's all that Callie Lattimer's uncle Dan, a former police officer, can say. Callie knows that Memphis cop Seth Dawtry will help, even if it means working with the woman who rejected him. The attack seems tied to a decades-old unsolved murder Dan could never let go. Now it's up to Seth and Callie to follow the clues. But as they uncover answers, they discover the real threat is closer than they ever thought possible. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Children's/Middle Grade:
Samantha Sanderson: At the Movies by Robin Caroll -- Sam Sanderson is an independent, resourceful, high-tech cheerleader. She dreams of becoming an award-winning journalist like her mother, and so she's always looking for articles she can publish in her middle-school paper (where she secretly hopes to become editor). And with a police officer for a father, Sam is in no short supply for writing material. When an explosive device is found in the local theater, Sam gets the lead on this developing and controversial story. The movie theater has recently come under attack by a renowned, outspoken atheist for allowing a local church to show Christian movies. Sam's police-officer father is heading the investigation, and Sam can't resist doing some sleuthing of her own with the help of her best friend Makayla's techno-genius. But when Sam's theories end up being printed in the school paper, she lands in big trouble---and danger! (Children's/Middle Grade Fiction from HarperCollins Christian Publishing [Thomas Nelson & Zondervan])
Samantha Sanderson: On the Scene by Robin Caroll -- What if getting to the bottom of a mystery means learning how to love your enemy? As Samantha and the rest of the middle schoolers prepare for the upcoming Spring Fest, 'mean girl' Nikki faces the reality that her parents are getting divorced. Samantha has a hard time sympathizing---Nikki has never been very nice to anyone, let alone Samantha. But when Nikki becomes victim of a string of attacks, Sam takes it upon herself and uses her super sleuth abilities to get to the bottom of the bullying. After all, articles on bullying are just what the school paper needs instead of all that silly fluff like popularity tips. Samantha enlists the help of her tech-savvy BFF, Makayla, but while the two track down clues, they leave a trail of trouble behind---and may even be directly responsible for the break-in of their very own school's computer lab! (Children's/Middle Grade Fiction from HarperCollins Christian Publishing [Thomas Nelson & Zondervan])
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Being Vulnerable -- It Can Be a Good Thing
Our church just had a ladies retreat weekend. I wasn't able to go,
however, two of the ladies in my life group reported on the retreat.
Sounds like I missed a good one.
The theme was about being vulnerable. When we're vulnerable and open to others, we also learn we're not alone. We find fellowship, support and encouragement with one another.
Now, this is something that I understand, but I still struggle with. I'm not always open when I have needs. I'm not one to always request prayers. I'll share the joys, but don't always share the stuff with which I'm really struggling.
This isn't because my friends won't be there for me. I know they would be in a heartbeat! The few times I have opened up when I've needed prayer and support, they've been there.
I think my issue is that I don't want to come across whiny or negative. Do you have people in your life that when you see their name come up on your caller ID, you almost dread talking with them. It's going to be something negative -- because that's just their personality. Then sometimes you end up ducking their calls.
I don't want to be that person, the one who is avoided. Generally, I'm a very positive person and try to look at the bright side of life (to use a cliche). But I'm also sensitive. It's hard to be open and vulnerable, because you don't want to get stomped on either.
A couple of weeks ago, a woman at the gym, who truly was trying to be encouraging, said something about me needing cuter workout clothes. What was something that was meant to encourage me in my workouts, only hit a sensitive spot of my weight. Now I've lost 75 pounds, and I feel good. And I definitely don't go to the gym to impress anybody else. But for some reason, her words just hit a mark. Stupid, huh?
But things like that shouldn't prevent from opening up to my friends, to those who care about me. When we open up, we learn that we're not alone in this life and that others are going through the same things we are. We really can share together and learn from our various experiences.
One thing to remember though, is that why you're asking for prayer from someone and sharing your story, take the time to listen to them and let them share with you. Let's be there for each other.
Being vulnerable isn't one-sided.
What are your thoughts on being vulnerable? Opening up or trusting another? Is it easy or difficult for you to do?
The theme was about being vulnerable. When we're vulnerable and open to others, we also learn we're not alone. We find fellowship, support and encouragement with one another.
Now, this is something that I understand, but I still struggle with. I'm not always open when I have needs. I'm not one to always request prayers. I'll share the joys, but don't always share the stuff with which I'm really struggling.
This isn't because my friends won't be there for me. I know they would be in a heartbeat! The few times I have opened up when I've needed prayer and support, they've been there.
I think my issue is that I don't want to come across whiny or negative. Do you have people in your life that when you see their name come up on your caller ID, you almost dread talking with them. It's going to be something negative -- because that's just their personality. Then sometimes you end up ducking their calls.
I don't want to be that person, the one who is avoided. Generally, I'm a very positive person and try to look at the bright side of life (to use a cliche). But I'm also sensitive. It's hard to be open and vulnerable, because you don't want to get stomped on either.
A couple of weeks ago, a woman at the gym, who truly was trying to be encouraging, said something about me needing cuter workout clothes. What was something that was meant to encourage me in my workouts, only hit a sensitive spot of my weight. Now I've lost 75 pounds, and I feel good. And I definitely don't go to the gym to impress anybody else. But for some reason, her words just hit a mark. Stupid, huh?
But things like that shouldn't prevent from opening up to my friends, to those who care about me. When we open up, we learn that we're not alone in this life and that others are going through the same things we are. We really can share together and learn from our various experiences.
One thing to remember though, is that why you're asking for prayer from someone and sharing your story, take the time to listen to them and let them share with you. Let's be there for each other.
Being vulnerable isn't one-sided.
What are your thoughts on being vulnerable? Opening up or trusting another? Is it easy or difficult for you to do?
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
ACFW New Releases: April 2014
April 2014 New Releases
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])
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])
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