 Check out these fabulous new releases from my fellow authors! June 28  Lightning and Lawmen by Shanna Hatfield How did a simple hello turn into something so complicated? Love is about to leave one lawman thunderstruck in this sweet historical romance! Cultured and full of grace, Delilah Robbins agrees to accompany her meteorologist father to his new post in Baker City, Oregon. Expecting a primitive place, she’s delighted to discover an up-and-coming town with plenty of surprises as well as a place she can turn into a sanctuary for her beloved birds. As she settles into life in the western town, she unwittingly creates a riff between two deputies when they both fall for her charms. Deputy Dugan Durfey only meant to extend a friendly welcome to a newcomer. But the moment he set eyes on the meteorologist’s delightful daughter, Dugan’s heart was no longer his own. Since his best friend and fellow deputy suffered the same fate, Dugan struggles to do what’s right. He’ll fight jealousy, outlaws, and a wily raccoon to keep Delilah safe, but the greater battle lies in overcoming his fears to profess his love. June 30  Her Stranded Billionaire Mix-Up by Bree Livingston A woman left at the altar, a billionaire who’s sworn off relationships, and a plane crash that traps them on a deserted island. Just two months ago life was perfect for party planner Harley Wilson—marrying the love of her life and working with Houston’s most sought-after party planner. Now, she’s single, jobless, and desperate to return to her hometown and start her own business. Which is why it’s easy to make a split decision to accept a huge bonus—and travel to Jamaica—when the rich guy offers her the assistant’s position. Since taking over the family business, Zachary Wolf has devoted himself and his money to helping people. When his assistant calls out sick at the last minute before a trip to Jamaica to drop off medical equipment, he puts out a call to a temp agency. He’s always used male assistants, but his sister is notorious for setting him up—so when a woman shows up instead, he is not surprised. It’s not until they’re in the air they realize there’s been a terrible mix-up. They’re all set to go their separate ways once the plane sets down in Jamaica. But a hurricane changes everything and the plane goes down en route. To survive, they must now learn to rely on each other until they’re rescued. July 2  Man's Best Alibi by Tara Meyers Something strange is happening in the mountains of Sanctuary Veterinarian Ember Burns makes a grisly discovery and it leads authorities to the body of a man in the woods above her home. Although the circumstances are suspicious, the only witness is her dog and the death's ruled a suicide. But things aren't that simple. When Ember looks into the man's local connections, it creates more questions than answers. Including the source of an unusual rock, and what he was really doing in the mountains. As a mysterious illness sickens the local animals, Ember's battle to save them leads to a startling discovery. She races to prove both the cause of the animals' symptoms and how the man died, but will it be too late?  Diving for Love by Jenny Rabe Seventeen-year-old Mariana Rodriguez is devastated when her best friend and long-time crush, Dennis, chooses to date her tormentor over her. She plunges into work at her uncle’s dive shop, determined to sink her feelings for Dennis. When the new employee, Sam, shows interest in her, Mariana feels like she’s found the perfect springboard to moving on. After both the shop and her abuela's house are vandalized, Mariana can't help but suspect that the two events are connected. She reluctantly calls on the one person who can help her, but allowing Dennis back into her life only makes her feelings for Sam murky. To protect her family from financial ruin, Mariana must decide who to trust. And with any luck, she'll get her chance at true love along the way.  Collision of Wills by Evangeline Kelly A snobby rich girl meets a rough around the edges artist. Can two people from completely different worlds come together? Alexa Covington lived in a wealthy community in Malibu, California. She liked pretty boys, shopping, and trips to the spa with her posse of mean girls—in that order. Dylan West wanted to be an artist, but he felt confined to a life painting houses instead. Despite the fact that he longed for something more, he was determined to follow the path his father set out for him. Back in high school, Dylan had a crush on Alexa, but he moved on. When their paths crossed years later, she barely remembered him. One night, after volunteering at a teen center, Alexa walked to her car alone and was nearly assaulted. Dylan came to her rescue, and the two were forced to spend time together in urgent care. An unlikely friendship ensued and feelings grew despite their differences. Even if they wanted to, they couldn’t walk away from each other. Dylan made Alexa rethink everything about her life of privilege. But when her mother threatened to cut her off if she didn’t leave Dylan, Alexa was forced to make a choice. Continue living the entitled existence she’d always known or choose another path, one that would change her world forever. Maybe, just maybe, love would find a way. July 3  Kingdom of Ash and Soot by C.S. Johnson In an age of political unrest and racial divide, one girl's search for truth will determine the future of her kingdom. Prague, 1870 For the last ten years, nineteen-year-old Eleanora Svobodová has worked as a servant in her stepmother's household, dreaming of the day she will be free to live life on her own terms. But when her estranged grandmother, Lady Penelope, comes to Prague on behalf of Queen Victoria, everything changes. Throughout Bohemia, a string of murders and secret whispers hint at a larger coup, and Lady Penelope, as the leader of the Order of the Crystal Daggers, an ancient order of spies and soldiers that protect kingdoms and their rulers, is determined to discover the perpetrators. When she offers Eleanora the chance to help her prevent the kingdom from falling apart, she is hesitant to trust her. And while joining means freedom from her stepmother and protecting the people of Prague, Eleanora knows her life will never be the same--or her own. Can she find a way to be free and still do the right thing? Or will joining the Order only lead to disaster? With castle intrigue, true love, and family dysfunction, Cinderella meets Mission Impossible in this historical fiction spy adventure series by C. S. Johnson.  Wanted: Preacher by Renea Westlyn Moving to Oregon as a Mail-Order Bride had never been Abigail’s plan, but when she is suddenly forced from the only home she has ever known, a marriage of convenience may just be the only thing that can protect her. However, the Lord works in mysterious ways, and shortly after Abigail has wed her new husband drowns while attempting to save the life of a child. Alone and afraid in a town full of lost women, Abigail must search for a new man to protect her from a horrid fate. Can she hope to find a husband that will cherish her? Or will she again be forced to marry for convenience alone? Reverend Akecheta James’ wedding day ended in a tragic death, leaving behind scars and pain. Ghosts of the past haunt him every step of the way to the small town of Silverpines. Called there by his blood-brother, Alexander, can Akecheta find his true future and perhaps love with the widow of the towns’ previous pastor? Together, the two must fight to build a life from the ashes of their past, and conquer the trials of the life yet to come. Can they find much-needed solace in one another’s arms? July 6  Becoming Me by Staci Stallings Is there something greater than we know? Can we, through the talents God has given us, tap into a well-spring our mortal senses do not see? If so, how do we encourage each other to find that deeper “something,” or do we rationalize each other out of even searching for it? Paige Grayson isn’t crushing on Nelson Samuels. Just ask her. She’ll tell you. After all, he is her sister’s best friend, “royalty” in her high school, a senior, and so talented he would never notice a nobody like her. So Paige resorts to pouring her non-existent feelings for Nelson into a very special notebook, a notebook of the words that cascade through her without her knowing how or where they come from. She’s always been like that, writing words that are poetic, ephemeral, and too precious to share with anyone else. But what happens when she loses the notebook that contains the words that are such a part of her? Worse, when Nelson starts to want to hang out, can she play it cool or will he learn all the secrets she’s been keeping from everyone, even herself? Nelson Samuels knows he’s always been a little weird. For as long as he can remember, he’s done his best to keep just how weird a secret from those closest to him. Yes, they know he writes music. What they don’t know is that he hears music in haunting melodies all the time. Having learned to capture some of them into notes on a page, he struggles to share just enough of his talent without risking anyone knowing all of it. It’s only when Nelson starts to notice his best friend’s younger sister that life is about to dare him to open the deepest secrets he holds about himself to someone else. Will he be brave enough to share the imagination side of him, or will he forever stay trapped in knowing he has this amazing gift but being too afraid to share it with anyone?  It Was Always You by Judy Corry What's the first rule when pretending to date your brother's best friend? Don't let feelings get involved. Sixteen-year-old Lexi Stevens has never been kissed--never even been asked on a date. So when she humiliates herself in front of her crush and her brother's best friend offers to be her fake boyfriend for the week to make her crush jealous, she doesn't know if it's the stupidest idea ever, or a dream come true. When Noah Taylor's abusive stepdad kicks him out of the house, the last thing he needs is for anyone at school to find out--not even his best friend. But when his new "girlfriend" discovers he's homeless and lets him sleep in her closet, he starts to wonder if he's found someone he can confide in after all. Soon Noah and Lexi are putting on a big show in front of the whole school while sneaking around behind her overprotective father's back. It isn't long before feelings develop, and it becomes harder and harder to discern between what's fake and what's real. July 9  Skye by Heather Gray Rainbow Falls…where life is lived in full color. Skye Blue is tired. She’s worn out from days spent doing what’s expected of her while her heart longs for something else. It doesn’t help that the past has colored her every decision with guilt and fear. When Skye reaches her limit, she packs a bag and runs away from it all…and headlong into Sam. Sam Madison is a battle-hardened former Marine who can face an enemy combatant without blinking. He is also a man dedicated to serving God by working with those military vets that society often rejects. Samaritan’s Reach, a place that houses and retrains homeless veterans, is the start of Sam’s dream — but an overreaching City Council threatens everything. How can love develop between a woman who hides from her problems and a man who has never considered backing down? July 10  A Heart Realigned by Elizabeth Maddrey She has no roots. He has no wings. Repainting historic murals at Peacock Hill will pad Azure Hewitt’s bank account and allow her to drift where the wind takes her. If only the group of friends working at the old mansion weren’t so welcoming. Their immediate acceptance and inclusion reinforces one of the downsides of her footloose life. Add in the local car buff and mechanic? Putting down roots could almost be attractive. The more Matt Patterson’s uncle pushes him to take over the family auto shop, the less Matt’s sure he wants to stay where he’s planted…but even as he contemplates spreading his wings, he can’t imagine a life like Azure’s with no fixed address. Even so, he’s positive a settled life isn’t something she sees in her future. With Azure’s project nearing completion and Matt’s uncle anxious for a decision, neither is sure where God is calling them to be. But if their hearts are aligned to His desire, surely their love will have a chance.  The Indentured Queen by Carol Moncado King Benjamin is about to have control of his own home for the first time in his life. By evicting his uncle, he can finally become the ruler he was meant to be. Finally live up to the legacy handed down to him, beginning with King Alfred the First, and embodied in his own father, King Alfred the Second. But revenge is a dish best served cold - or at least lukewarm - and his uncle’s revenge comes just two days later when a press release announces Benjamin’s engagement. To a modern-day scullery maid. Katrín Jónsson took over her mother’s debt to the Eyjanian royal family as soon as she turned eighteen. Five years down. Only ten - or more - to go. Until the king offers her a way out. Marry him, in name only, for a year, then disappear. Her indenture will be paid off - and, more importantly, her mother and brother will be taken care of for life. The wedding won’t change anything about her life because no one will know the truth of their arrangement. A disconcerting incident softens Katrín’s heart toward the usually impassive king. But, even as she begins to fall for the man he could become, she wonders if she’ll ever be more than The Indentured Queen? July 13  Aerisian Refrain by Sarah Ashwood Following the prophesied Artan’s victory over the Dark Powers, the land of Aerisia is finally at rest, until ancient beings, long imprisoned, begin to stir… Eight years after Annie Richards’ stellar voice and musical talents skyrocketed her from rural Oklahoma to international fame, haunting visions have begun threatening her sanity. While she’s returning to her childhood home to convalesce, creatures straight from her nightmares bring down her plane. Annie wakens in a parallel world, Aerisia. Here, she discovers her musical gifts translate into magical powers—the legacy of a banished race who have been invading her dreams. Mistrusted by Aerisia’s most powerful factions because of her heritage, Annie finds allies are hard to come by. Supporting her are one Simathe warrior, Cole, who refuses to label her as evil, and one woman willing to stand against anything and anyone to help a friend: the Artan herself. Seizing control of her destiny will mean defying both her ancestors and the Aerisian leaders. Mastering her magic may mean making the greatest sacrifice of all…or risk becoming the reason Aerisia itself is torn apart. July 14  Murder Makes the Ballot by Charmain Z. Brackett Bill Andrews has a history of being up to no good. Grace Ward knows it's a bad idea when he decides to make a bid for Augusta mayor. Apparently, someone else shares Grace's feelings and puts an end to Bill's political ambitions forever. That leaves Grace in the thick of another murder investigation. July 16  The Songs of You and Me by Mylissa Demeyere Jane Hartford fell head over heels for Jackson at the tender age of fifteen. She spent most of high school pining for him, until she realized he wasn't going to see her as anything more than his baby sister's best friend. Now she finds herself single with a daughter, a broken heart, and songs that remind her of a long lost love. Jackson Wright is a man living with regret. His biggest one, never acting on his feelings for Jane. When he returns to Bellebrook, the town they grew up in, he literally runs into her and his world gets tossed upside down and sideways. This time, Jackson isn't willing to give up. With a meddling sister eager to push both of them together, he believes things might actually work out. That is, if they can overcome the heavy baggage they both carry. Follow Jackson and Jane as they revisit their past, figuring out what went wrong so long ago. Will they learn they have the power to make things right in the present? July 17  Lawfully Wanted by Jenna Brandt Levi Emerson and his partner, Clyde Forester, have been undercover for over a year chasing the ring leader of the largest cattle rustling group. After months of pursuit, they are closing in on their target, and looking forward to bagging their bounty. A paid informant has told them the rustler's next target will be the Larsen Ranch in Rockwood Springs, Texas. When Levi arrives at the ranch, he poses as a cowboy in order to gain employment at the ranch and catch the cattle thief. Abigail Larsen is the daughter of one of the largest cattle barons in all of Taylor, County Texas. She has just returned home from finishing school, with what is considered by society, dangerous ideas that she gained from secret women's suffrage meetings. Her father has plans for her to marry Andy Wilson, a local rancher and recent widower, in an attempt to expand the family's influence in the region. Though she wants to do her father's biding, the rumors of how Andy mistreated his first wife leaves Abigail worried about her future, especially knowing he isn't the type of man that would find her new mindset appealing. When Levi and Abigail accidently encounter each other, the connection is instant, but they both know a relationship between them can never be due to their circumstances. Yet, as the couple continue to spend time together through various circumstances, the connection only deepens. Will Levi catch his wanted thief and collect his bounty? Will he tell Abigail the truth about who he is? And will Abigail choose to go against her father in order to be with the man she wants? Find out if these two star-crossed lovers can find a way to be together in this epic 1880s historical romance.  Secrets: Visible and Invisible by Carolyn Astfalk and Various Secrets: Visible and Invisible is a collection of short stories by seven CatholicTeenBooks.com authors. As described by Mark Hart of Life Teen International, who provides the foreword, "Each story reveals something different about the human heart and our constant (though, often veiled) desire for truth and virtue." Secret (n.) - something kept hidden from knowledge or view; a mystery. In a dystopian future, an innocent picnic turns deadly! Elijah knows nothing of the elderly stranger's secret past--until her disappearance changes everything. A mysterious, ever-changing painting alarms a group of teens. The cannonball took Dario's legs . . . Will he lose his soul too? The arrival of a mysterious girl challenges everything about Jason's life. An unlicensed driver. His dad's truck. What could possibly go wrong? An old tale of murder and forbidden love leads to a modern day treasure hunt. For nothing is hid that shall not be made manifest, nor anything secret that shall not be known and come to light. (Luke 8:17 RSV-CE) July 18  A New Place, Another Murder by Christa Nardi Sometimes you need to be careful what you wish for. Pretty much settled into her new home in Appomattox with Brett and his daughter, Sheridan longs for something to keep her busy. That is, until Maddie and her new friend are framed for theft and murder. Not quite the distraction she had hoped for, but she’ll turn over every rock to prove their innocence. In the process, she learns about the powerful Buchanan family and the history of the local community. Will the truth come out before the person calling the shots takes Sheridan and Maddie out of the picture? July 25  Romance Comes to Pemberley by Margaret Lynette Sharp As this story begins, our favourite couple have been blessed with two wonderful children: Fitzwilliam, Jr and Juliette, who have blossomed into adulthood. Will these two bearers of the legacy of our favourite romantic couple find true love and happiness, or will the obstacles thrown in their paths by the unforeseen and unforeseeable vagaries of fate destroy their best and fondest hopes? 'Twill be a roller-coaster ride, navigating the twists and turns of Regency-era romance, in either case.  Check out these new releases from authors involved with American Christian Fiction Writers. You're sure to find a new favorite! Contemporary Romance:
A Widow’s Hope by Vannetta Chapman — After tragedy claimed her husband’s life and her son’s ability to walk, Hannah King doesn’t want a new man. She has her family, a home and mounting debts. Scarred Amish bachelor Jacob Schrock offers Hannah the job she desperately needs. But while Hannah helps Jacob resolve his accounting issues, can she and her little boy also heal his wounded heart? (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin]) Firestorm by Laura V. Hilton — Bridget Behr can’t shake the guilt that it was her fault her family moved—and is too afraid to trust anyone, especially the flirtatious, overly-friendly Amish man who lives next door. Just as Bridget is finally settling into friendship, a new life, and maybe even love, a devastating forest fire ravages the county, destroying both land and the Behrs’ dreams. Now Bridget and her family must decide: will they leave behind the ashes and start anew in another Amish community? Or will they dare to fight for the future they’d hoped for in Mackinac County? (Contemporary Romance from Whitaker House) General Contemporary: Ride to the Altar by Linda W. Yezak — Cattle are dying on the Circle Bar, putting the Texas ranch in financial jeopardy. Newly engaged Patricia Talbert and Talon Carlson must root out the cause before they can concentrate on wedding plans—which involves Patricia’s traveling to New York to patch things up with her domineering mother. While she is away, Talon discovers that the attacks on the ranch are connected to the murder of his first fiancée over eight years ago. Before they can move forward together, each have to resolve the past. Will they be able to start their new life with a clean slate? (General Contemporary from Canopy Books of Texas) General Historical: My Heart Belongs in Galveston, Texas by Kathleen Y’Barbo — Dodging bullets takes a simple missing person case to a new level as Jonah Cahill, a Pinkerton agent, and Madeline Latour, an investigative reporter, form a tentative truce in Galveston, Texas, 1880. Are they on to a much bigger story when their best witness is suddenly kidnapped? (General Historical from Barbour Publishing) Historical Mystery: The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond by Jaime Jo Wright — Two women, separated by a hundred years, must uncover the secrets within the borders of their own town before it’s too late and they lose their future–or their very souls. (Historical Mystery from Bethany House [Baker]) Historical Romance: This Freedom Journey by Misty M. Beller — Adrien Lockman left France to finally live life on his own terms, but when he discovers a half-starved and half-frozen woman in the treacherous Canadian mountains, the truth soon becomes clear—the only way they’ll survive is together. (Historical Romance, Independently Published) The Widow’s Plight by Mary Davis — After moving to a new town and joining a quilting circle, a single mother steps out of the shadows of abuse and into the sunshine. But will a secret clouding her past cost her the man she loves? (Historical Romance from Mountain Brook Ink) River to Redemption by Ann H. Gabhart — Orphaned during an early 19th century cholera epidemic and helped by a slave to find a new home, Adria Starr must now stand up for his freedom—and maybe find her own in the process. (Historical Romance from Revell [Baker]) A Rumored Fortune by Joanna Davidson Politano — A young heiress is suddenly the poorest wealthy woman in all of England when her father dies without telling anyone where he put his money. (Historical Romance from Revell [Baker]) Mystery: Shifting Sands by Elizabeth Ludwig — A mysterious key hidden in the depths of an ancient lighthouse unlocks family secrets hidden for generations. (Cozy Mystery from Guideposts Publications) Guarded Prognosis by Richard L. Mabry — At first Dr. Caden Taggart feared for his freedom, then for his ability to cope, and eventually he feared for his life. (Medical Mystery, Independently Published) Romantic Suspense: Darkwater Secrets by Robin Caroll — When Adelaide Fountaine, the general manager of a hotel in New Orleans, finds the body of a guest who was stabbed with a kitchen knife, her childhood friend Detective Beau Savoie is shocked to discover a connection between his friend–the woman he’s quietly loved for years—and the murdered guest. But Beau can’t press Adelaide too hard . . . because he’s keeping secrets of his own. Can Adelaide and Beau afford to hide from the truth with a killer on the loose? (Romantic Suspense from Gilead Publishing) Camp Hope by Sara L. Foust — Facing dehydration, starvation, and a convoluted kidnapper, will Amy succeed in recovering her precious foster daughter or get lost in a vast wilderness forever? (Romantic Suspense from Mantle Rock Publishing) Dead Drift by Dani Pettrey — Seven years ago, operative Luke Gallagher vanished to join an elite team of terrorist hunters. Private investigator Kate Maxwell never stopped loving or looking for Luke after he disappeared. But she also never imagined he left her or his life by choice. Now he’s back, asking her help to stop America’s newest terrorist threat—an attack that would shake the country to its core. Together they must navigate secrets, lies, and betrayal, all while on the brink of a biological disaster. Will they and their love survive, or will Luke and Kate become the terrorist’s next mark? (Romantic Suspense from Bethany House [Baker]) Young Adult: Launch by Jason C. Joyner — Teens with special abilities are invited to an exclusive conference where tech billionaire Simon Mazor is looking for those who can help him influence the world. (Young Adult from Little Lamb Books)
0 Comments
|
ACFW Member
 
Archives
July 2023
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed