 Happy New Year! Can you believe today is the first day of 2019? If you're looking for some new books to read, you've come to the right place! December 28th  The Christmas Melody by Shanna Hatfield He needs a holiday miracle. . .She’s prepared to deliver oneClaire Baker does nothing halfway. She makes it a point to follow her heart, even when it leads her to a small Eastern Oregon town to stay with relatives. In truth, she loves Hardman and the people there. Which is why she wants a recluse she met in the woods and his adorable daughter to join in the community holiday celebrations. The more time they spend together, the more she realizes she’s fallen hopelessly in love with both of them. All Grayson Carter wants is to be left alone. That’s why he built his cabin in the middle of more than a thousand acres of woods, seeking to disappear from the world and keep his daughter, Maddie, safe. Then a beautiful interloper appears and becomes quite determined in her efforts of drawing him back into the land of the living. As she brings him and Maddie Christmas cheer, he realizes falling in love with her could be the best and worst thing he’s ever done. With Christmas fast approaching, a mystery to be solved, and old-fashioned holiday fun, this sweet historical romance will fill your heart with the joys of the season.  Taryn's Hunt: A Gryphon's Story by Chrys Cymri Can a human really be any good as a police officer? Inspector Taryn is proud of her record in the city's police service. She might be small for a gryphon, but even the most hardened criminals have learned to fear her abilities. Now her Superintendent has given her a human male as a partner. Can Peter prove himself worthy as they investigate a series of suspicious deaths? Taryn and Peter are characters in the urban fantasy 'Penny White' series. This is how they first met. December 29th  A Very Austen Valentine by Robin Helm, Laura Hile, Wendi Sotis, Barbara Cornthwaite, Mandy H. Cook, and Susan Kaye Six beloved authors deliver romantic Valentine novellas set in Jane Austen's Regency world. Robin Helm, Laura Hile, Wendi Sotis, and Barbara Cornthwaite, together with Susan Kaye and Mandy Cook, share variations of Pride and Prejudice, Persuasion, and Sense and Sensibility, featuring your favorite characters in sequels, adaptations, and spinoffs of Austen's adored novels. Experience uplifting romance, laugh-out-loud humor, and poignant regret as these authors deftly tug on your heartstrings this Valentine's Day. I Dream of You by Robin Helm Newly-married Elizabeth Darcy has a plan: to charm her too-busy husband into desiring her company as much as he did when he was courting her. A series of romantic dreams give her just the push she needs to put that plan into action. Sir Walter Takes a Wife by Laura Hile Faced with a lonely future and finding himself strapped for cash, Persuasion's Sir Walter Elliot manfully decides to marry again. But his careful plans go sadly awry! A lighthearted Valentine mash-up featuring two of Jane Austen's worst snobs. My Forever Valentine by Wendi Sotis Jane and Charles Bingley have married, even though Miss Elizabeth Bennet remains certain Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy gave his best effort to keep them apart. After Mr. Darcy refused to stand up with Bingley and did not attend the wedding, she despises the gentleman more than ever and finds his company intolerable. How will she endure her visit to Kent if Mr. Darcy turns up everywhere she goes? Pretence and Prejudice by Barbara Cornthwaite A chance encounter with a handsome stranger forces Elizabeth to resort to subterfuge in order to discover his true intentions. My Valentine by Mandy H. Cook Little Charlotte was always determined and independent, traits which served her well as she battled a serious childhood illness and later as she took on Polite Society. Will those traits now deprive her of true love? Or would her lifelong Valentine win her heart? The Lovers' Ruse by Susan Kaye In this Persuasion alteration, Anne is so altered by Wentworth's love in the summer of 1806, she refuses to give him up when both her godmother and father try to persuade her. "The Lovers' Ruse" follows Frederick and Anne through their whirlwind courtship and their secret engagement. When Wentworth returns for his Annie girl, the cat comes out of the bag. December 30th  Lethal Incision by Dobi Cross When patients start disappearing on her watch, spunky surgical resident Zora seeks to discover why. But she soon realizes there are dark secrets a hidden enemy wants covered at all costs. This book is a heavily revised second edition of the original volume which was part of a previously published anthology. The story has been expanded by about 60%, adding significant background to the characters and the story. If you've already read the first edition, you won't need to read this version to catch up - but fans of the series are sure to enjoy this expanded and improved "Author's Preferred Edition"! January 1st  Novelly Upon a Time by Sarah Monzon Author Harper Jones prides herself on the impeccable research she does for her novels, so when early reviews come pouring in claimer her romance reeks of inauthenticity, her editor suggests pulling her nose out of her books and getting some real-life smooching experience. But her plans to do just that are thwarted by her archnemesis from high school who has recently returned to town. Now she’s left with an impossible decision—kiss her worst enemy or kiss her three-book contract goodbye.  The Ranger's Chance by Bree Livingston A computer geek, an Army Ranger assigned to get close to her, and the lies that could end everything before it begins. Mia Milan jumps at the chance to work as a computer security specialist in Miami. Installing software for a shipping company on the east coast sounds more like a paid vacation. She doesn’t realize her new boss, Harrison is a known transporter for human traffickers. Ex-Army Ranger, Noah Wolf and his team with the Guardian Group think Mia knows exactly what Harrison does, and that she’s helping him secure his computer network. They think this might be their chance to finally bring the man down—all they need is for Mia to turn on Harrison. But things aren’t what they appear and Noah’s feelings for Mia soon put the mission in jeopardy.  No Time for Love by Raine English When six friends make a pact not to let love get in the way of their careers, the No Brides Club is born. But could meeting the right man at the wrong time cause them to break their vows to each other? Kinsley King loves her lavish lifestyle as one of Manhattan’s most in-demand real estate brokers. She’s worked hard to get to the top, and she’s not backing down now… But when her favorite aunt bequests her a wildlife sanctuary in the middle of nowhere, she has a tough decision to make: honor her aunt’s last wish or put the property on the market and maintain the life she adores. Dylan Reese, on the other hand, thinks life off the grid is just about perfect. That is, until the owner of the wildlife sanctuary he manages dies suddenly and leaves the place to her spoiled city-slicker niece. Now he, too, has a choice: leave it all behind or swallow his pride and take orders from a woman who wants no part of this particular commitment. Sparks fly in this opposites attract sweet romance as Kinsley finds herself falling for the swoon-worthy sanctuary manager, causing her to rethink the no marriage vow she made with her girlfriends, while Dylan wonders how he’s going to keep from losing his heart to the one woman who’s sure to break it. January 2nd  The Sweetest Spark by Liwen Y. Ho He’s a fun-loving ice cream shop owner looking for more than a fling. She’s a straight-laced food critic too scared for love. Little did they know how much a foolish kiss would trigger an avalanche of emotions too great to contain. Colin Spark may not have the best track record when it comes to his career choices, but he’s loved the same woman since he was thirteen. His only obstacle to winning her heart is proving he’s ready to settle down—an impossible task now that his store is going out of business. Since her sister’s passing, Candy Connelly has survived by being in control and protecting her heart. There’s only one man she’s let her guard down with, but his unreliable past shakes her confidence in his future. Colin won’t give up pursuing his passion; Candy won’t give in to her attraction. That is until an accident brings all their unspoken issues to the surface and forces them to listen to their hearts. Will this incident be the spark that drives them apart for good or gives them their sweetest taste of romance yet?  Die Again, Mr. Holmes by Anna Elliott and Charles Veley A young woman begs Sherlock Holmes to help find her missing fiancé, but the great detective makes an uncharacteristic mistake. Then Sherlock's daughter, Lucy James, takes on a missing person case of her own. But Lucy must also keep a vicious criminal away from Becky, Lucy's ten-year-old sister-in-law, and little Becky soon becomes dangerously involved in both cases. No one foresees the devastating news that Sherlock Holmes has been murdered. The newest adventure in this popular mystery series takes us from the Old Bailey courthouse and the seacoast lairs of smugglers to a grand British country estate and the posh financial headquarters of Lloyd's of London. For Watson, Sherlock and Lucy, survival will require valor, sacrifice, and acts that go far, far outside the law. January 3rd  Investigating the Billionaire by Eliza Boyd She's a reporter who needs to uncover a story. He's a billionaire who mistakes her for his new chef. Is it a recipe for a disaster … or a recipe for love? Tessa Berkley has one last shot to keep her job. Her assignment: find out what illegal activity local billionaire Beckett Stone is doing. He’s consorting with ex-cons, and in her experience, people with money don’t do good things with it. But when she’s mistaken for his new chef, she sees him in a new light—and her growing attraction to him makes her hope he's not guilty. Beck Stone is married to his work. He can manipulate business to his liking, but the same can’t be said for love. That’s why he’s caught off guard when he wants to get to know his new chef. But he has to stay focused on the job. His family is counting on him to finish his latest project and keep it secret, and nothing will stand in the way—not even his growing attraction to Tessa. When Tessa discovers the truth, will she choose to save her job or her new relationship while she’s investigating the billionaire?  Lions, Beasts, and Lambs by Cecilia Marie Pulliam Two Killers. An old enemy. A child with extraordinary gifts. A mother desperate to protect her daughter at any cost. Only a miracle can save them. In this fourth installment of the Lions and Lamb Series, Susannah, and her daughter, Rachael, face not one but two killers. One has taken the Hippocratic Oath to heal and not harm. The other is a cold hitman who isn’t particular who he’s paid to kill. Both work under the influence of a dark creature Susannah once encountered in an underground chamber in Africa. Will Rachael’s faith be strong enough to win the spiritual battle, or will Susannah’s misguided attempts to protect her daughter allow their enemy to destroy them? They must trust a Power far greater than themselves. January 5th  Her Secret Billionaire Roommate by Bree Livingston A bestselling author, a billionaire, and a snowstorm that leaves them stranded in a Montana cabin. Bestselling author Olivia Weber is a year overdue delivering her next book, and her publisher is being bought out by another publishing company—one that doesn’t like to keep authors who don’t deliver. To spur Olivia’s creativity, her friend and agent sends her on a two-week getaway at a cabin in Snowshoe, Montana. When Gabriel Saxon, billionaire and CEO of Saxon Publishing, shows up at his family’s cabin in Montana, he’s shocked to find a woman claiming she’s rented the place for the next two weeks. He wants her gone and pronto, but a looming snowstorm puts a kink in his plan. It’s only after they’re stuck together that he finds out she’s the jewel of the publishing company he’s buying and she has no idea who he is—and he wants to keep it that way. Will being forced together in a tiny cabin bring them closer, or will the looming buyout control the future? January 8th  Far and Away by Christina Freeburn Priscilla Thorn’s heart broke when her son killed his wife, and now shatters when her son takes his own life. Priscilla’s grief-stricken soul finds little comfort knowing before he died, Samuel turned his life over to God. Believing her son would want his father at his funeral, she informs her ex-husband--the man she ran from decades ago. Stephen Thorn drops a bombshell on his ex-wife, he's life is ebbing away and he has no one to care for him. Priscilla believes for Samuel to receive forgiveness from the Heavenly Father, she must give it to Samuel’s earthly father…her abusive ex-husband. Edgar Fritz is stunned when the woman he loves takes her dying ex-husband into her home. While Priscilla sees caring for her ex-husband as showing God’s love, Edgar believes Stephen has an ulterior motive and will use the opportunity for revenge. Edgar finds he is risking losing Priscilla’s friendship by insisting the man hasn’t changed his ways and has come back to hurt her one last time. Is Priscilla risking her life by insisting her ex-husband changed, so the world -- and God -- will know her son had changed? January 12th  Austen Unscripted by Britney M. Mills A shy accountant, a pro hockey player and a past they can't forget. Ruby Hunter gets nervous talking to people. And with a camera around? Forget it. When she's offered the chance to be on The Suitor, the only reason she accepts is that it's an opportunity to conquer her fears, all at once. Little does she know the leading guy is her ex-fiance, who she broke up with eight years earlier, the one regret she's had in her adult life. Carson Carver is painted as the bad boy for the media and doing this show is his chance to prove them all wrong. He hopes seeing his good side will change his image and keep him playing for the Boston Breeze hockey team for more than just a year. When one of the contestants turns out to be his high school sweetheart, he's not sure if he can stand reliving the past. As dates force them to confront the past, can they forgive one another and move forward? Or will their history keep them apart? January 13th  Carter's Cowgirl by Melissa McClone Carter Quinn has one goal—to make his organic farm a success. Working the land leaves no time for romance, but that’s okay with him. He’ll do whatever is necessary to take Quinn Organics to the next level, including hiring a consultant. Avery Scott loves helping her consulting clients succeed while proving she’s more than a pretty face. Being disappointed and hurt one too many times keeps her from getting close to others, but Carter’s work ethic and kindness tempt her to lower her guard. As the two work together, Avery’s commitment to helping make Carter’s dreams come true touches his heart. She fits perfectly on his farm, and he can picture them as a couple, even though her job will take Avery away from him. He wants to show her what they could have together, but is she willing to take a chance on him…and love? January 14th  Super Humans by T.M. Franklin A mysterious chest. A terrifying vision. Are their newfound powers enough to take down an unspeakable evil? Chloe Blake’s campus rental has it all: a retro Victorian vibe, a beautiful picture window, and a perfect view of Ethan Reynolds—the guy who broke her heart and lives across the street. But when she sees disturbing visions of death slide across the panes, she’s convinced she’s glimpsed into Ethan’s future. She’ll stop at nothing to change fate and save him… even if it means everyone will think she’s crazy. Wren Galloway has lost track of all the crummy cities she’s lived in. Plagued by nightmares, Wren wakes in a cold sweat with the vision of a nearby Victorian house still in her mind… and a strong urge to seek out the powerful talisman calling to her from its attic. Drawn together by an ancient force, Chloe and Wren must work together to discover the house’s secrets and unlock their hidden powers to take down the shadowy specter that haunts their premonitions and leaves death in its wake. January 15th  The Benched Billionaire by Jennifer Griffith He’s been benched and needs redemption. She’s the single mom of their child. He’s back in town to make amends. Charlotte Nilsen never thought she’d see McCoy again after he hit the big time in the NFL. After all, she’s the one who insisted on an annulment after his scandal with the cheerleader. She’s rebuilt her life now. Her one regret is she never told McCoy their brief marriage resulted in a son. McCoy Armstrong has been benched. A shoulder injury will do that to an NFL quarterback. Enough time has passed that he dares to hope that his ex-wife Charlotte will forgive the follies of his youth. When he arrives home in Getaway Bay, he finds Charlotte living next door and his house destroyed by a storm. No amount of money, even a billionaire’s entire bank account, can buy a spouse’s trust. He must find another way. Is this injured quarterback strong enough to rebuild everything he has broken and reclaim everything he has lost?  Loving Josie by Tayla Alexandra She doesn’t think she can be loved. He has enough love for them both. Life has not been good to Josie Lowry. Through the hardships of her cruel past, she ends up living on the streets of Trust, Arizona. In the dead of winter, she takes refuge in a man’s home while he is supposed to be away. She means no harm, and she’s only looking for a bit of warmth and a nice hot shower. Patrick Knowles is living in the moment. He’s excited to propose to his girlfriend, but when she breaks up with him as he’s waiting for his flight out to see her, Patrick is distraught and confused. But it’s nothing compared to finding a woman fast asleep on his couch. Grateful that he doesn’t call the police, Josie returns to the bitter, cold streets. Something about the woman ignites a spark in Patrick and he seeks her out to present her with an offer she can’t refuse. January 20th  Her Billionaire Internist by Dobi Daniels Driven medical resident Alicia is determined to take care of her sick niece and guard her heart — until she encounters Blake, her fellow resident and billionaire! Would the secrets keep them apart from a chance at redemption and a happily ever after? This is a sweet/clean redemption medical billionaire romance with no cliffhangers and a guaranteed HEA. January 24th  Her Billionaire Valentine by Jewel Allen A sweet secret-identity billionaire romance Dani is certain her unlucky streak in love is over, when her year-long online pen-pal from Ireland tells her he loves her. As the feeling is mutual, she decides to surprise him with a visit over Valentine's Day. The only problem is, the man she fell in love with doesn't exist. Patrick Willoughby hid behind his secret identity to make sure a woman like Dani would love him for who he is, not his noble title nor his billionaire wealth. Is she too good to be true? Luckily, when she visits from America, she is everything he's dreamed of and they fall in love even deeper. When his cover is blown publicly, will she find it in her heart to forgive him? January 25th  The Princess and the Peacock by C. S. Johnson The first time I fell in love with Princess Mele was when I saw her smile, and I fell in love with her the second time the moment I heard her sing. Two memories burn within Kaipo's heart -- the death of his mother, which left him alone to die, and the arrival of Princess Mele, which gave him a new reason to live. Together with his adopted brother, Kaipo seeks out Jaya, the Fae Queen who lives on the Forbidden Mountain, in order to gain the beauty he requires to win Mele's heart. But Jaya has other plans for the scarred outcast who climbs up her mountain ...  Lady Golden Hands by Nix Whittaker Was the dragon the murderer? A mutilated body leads Lady Rayne Ancaster to investigate the dragon, Victor for murder. If that is true then the treaty between dragons and humans is at risk. Rayne as the only female policewoman in Londinium has a lot to prove and a lot to lose if she follows the thread to the conclusion no one wants to admit.  Check out these new releases from authors involved with American Christian Fiction Writers. You're sure to find a new favorite! Amish Romance:
Seasons of an Amish Garden by Amy Clipston — Enjoy a year of beautiful seasons in this new story collection, as young Amish couples manage a community garden and harvest friendships and love along the way. (Amish Romance from HarperCollins Christian Publishing) Courting Her Prodigal Heart by Mary Davis — Pregnant and alone, Dori Bontrager is sure her Amish kin won’t welcome her—or the child she’s carrying—into the community. And she’s determined that her return won’t be permanent. As soon as she finds work, she’ll leave again. But with her childhood friend Eli Hochstetler insisting she and her baby belong here, will Dori’s path lead back to the Englisher world…or into Eli’s arms? (Amish Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin]) Contemporary Romance: Her Hope Discovered by Cynthia Herron — Charla Winthrop, a savvy business woman seeking a permanent lifestyle change in small-town Ruby, Missouri, learns that things aren’t always what they appear when she takes up residence in a house steeped in charm and a hint of mystery. Rumor has it that Sam Packard the town carpenter is her go-to guy for home remodeling, but can Charla convince him to help her—with no strings attached, of course? Alone far too long, Sam’s prayed that God would send him a wife and a mother for his daughters. However, the new Ruby resident is hardly what he imagined. A new place to call “home,” the possibility of what might be, and the answer to someone’s prayers unite this unlikely pair with the help of the town’s residents. (Contemporary Romance from Mountain Brook Ink) Cozy Mystery: Murderous Heart by Lynne Waite Chapman — Freelance writer, Lauren Halloren pens popular magazine articles extoling the comfort and security of small town America. And Evelynton, Indiana treasures its wholesome small town values. Ask anyone. Streets are safe to walk. People look out for one another. Marriage vows are treasured. Murders are solved. In this third volume of the Evelynton Murder series, Lauren, along with friends, Clair and Anita stumble over another body. The partially mummified remains turn out to be an Evelynton resident. But how, in this close knit community, could a woman be deceased for over six months without being missed? (Cozy Mystery from Winged Publications) Historical Romance: My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge: Laurel’s Dream by Pepper Basham — Journey into the Blue Ridge Mountains of 1918 where Laurel McAdams endures the challenges of a hard life while dreaming things can eventually improve. But trouble arrives in the form of an outsider. Having failed his British father again, Jonathan Taylor joins is uncle’s missionary endeavors as a teacher in a two-room schoolhouse. Laurel feels compelled to protect the tenderhearted teacher from the harsh realities of Appalachian life, even while his stories of life outside the mountains pull at Laurel’s imagination. Faced with angry parents over teaching methods, Laurel’s father’s drunken rages, and bad news from England, will Jonathan leave and never return, or will he stay and let love bloom? (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing) The Homeward Journey by Misty M. Beller — Finally free from her dead husband’s addicted lifestyle, Rachel Gray and her young son set out for a new life in the wilderness of the Canadian territories. She is reluctant to accept help from another man, but after a bear threatens her son’s life, she agrees to accompany two God-fearing brothers who are traveling to the same area. Slowly, she begins to trust the one named Seth. Despite Rachel’s best efforts, she can’t seem to fight her attraction to Seth—until a secret from his past proves he had more in common with her husband than she thought. When a new peril threatens her son’s life, she must choose between trusting in what she can control, or the man who her heart says is trustworthy, no matter his previous sins. The path she chooses just may determine whether she can step into the new life God has in store for them all. (Historical Romance, Independently Published) Stepping into the Light by Candee Fick — With war looming and a madwoman in their midst, the only hope for a peaceful future may lie in a marriage alliance between a disfigured recluse of the Gunn clan and the overlooked second son of Clan Sinclair. (Historical Romance, Independently Published) Under the Midnight Sun by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse— Tayler Hale is ahead of her time as one of the first women naturalists. She has always loved adventure and the great outdoors, and her remote job location also helps keep her away from the clutches of the man to whom she once made a foolish promise. It seems she must keep running, however, and in secret, her boss from Yellowstone arranges for a new job . . . in Alaska. The popular Curry Hotel continues to thrive in 1929 as more visitors come to Alaska and venture into the massive national park surrounding Denali. Recent graduate Thomas Smith has returned to the hotel and the people he considers family. But when a woman naturalist comes to fill the open position and he must work with her, everything becomes complicated. The summer brings unexpected guests and trouble to Curry. With his reputation at stake, will Thomas be able to protect Tayler from the danger that follows? (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker]) Devotion by Olivia Rae — Injured and unable to make his living by the sword, Sir Theo de Born needs to secure his keep by becoming an educated man. As he finds himself falling for his reluctant teacher, he learns of her plan to leave England before the winter sets in. How can he convince her to stay and fulfill her promise while protecting his heart? Denied her true love and sent away to a convent, Lady Rose de Payne has no choice but to accept to become Sir Theo’s teacher. However, she has a plan to escape the confines of her new prison and start fresh in a different country. As the chilly winds blow, her resolve begins to waver. Will she abandon Sir Theo to a miserable fate or will she give up her dreams to make his come true? (Historical Romance from HopeKnight Press)
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