 Are you ready for that summer heat? When it's too hot to head outside, why not curl up on the couch in the air conditioning and read a good book? Check out the large selection of new releases below! If you missed June's releases, you can find them here! July 1st  Mending the Billionaire Scotsman by Bree Livingston Paige Cooper’s twin sister, Penelope, is getting married. In Scotland. To a celebrity she’s known all of twelve weeks. Who she met on a dating show. It was supposed to be something fun. Paige never expected Penelope to come home engaged to Angus MacLachlan. What’s a girl to do when she knows it’s the biggest mistake of her sister’s life? Fly to Scotland and talk some sense in her. Only, her sister isn’t budging…and Rory, Angus’s brother, is hitting every hot button Paige possesses. But her last boyfriend stole her heart and then drained her bank account, leaving her at the altar, broken and done with love. Rory, though, has a great smile and an accent that gives her goosebumps. Only, she’s in Scotland to stop a wedding, not get friendly with the enemy’s brother. Pick up Angus’s future sister-in-law. No big deal, Rory can do that. But when he see the honey-blonde, green-eyed lass at the airport, it’s instant trouble. He lost the love of his life—the woman he’d planned his future with—and love isn’t in the cards for him. Or is it? She’s cute, feisty, funny, and every moment spent with her makes him realize how lonely life’s been these last few years. Paige isn’t staying in Scotland. Rory’s not moving to the states. Twelve weeks. Two broken people. One wedding. Is there enough time for them to find what they’ve been missing?  Mermaid's Song by Stacy Claflin I live a double life—and it’s about to tangle me in its net. I'm Marra Ayers, a mermaid pretending to be human. Or at least, I was. It's over now that my uncle died, making my dad the new king of Valora. My parents are dragging me away from the life I love to our undersea kingdom. And to make matters worse, everybody hates us. My parents send me straight to the Dark Sea Academy, where the building is creepy and the students are worse. The dean pairs me with a student to show me the ropes. I get stuck with Bash, who’s one wrong move from being expelled, and showing me around is his latest punishment. He’s as gorgeous as he is arrogant. And an incredible guitarist, as it turns out. Not that it matters. We can’t stand each other, and when my orientation is over, we'll go our separate ways. Good riddance. Whispers and glares greet me at every turn, and the most popular girl has it out for me. My first night, she tries to kill me. Then, bloodied and bruised, I run into Bash. And this time, he actually seems to care... He keeps looking at me with concern in his eyes while giving me this crooked smirk. Kind of makes me forget how irritating he is. Almost makes me forget all my problems. But I can’t let myself get side-tracked by him. I won’t. If I’m to survive the academy, I need to focus on staying alive. Unfortunately, that means relying on Bash—and he’s a distraction that could very well cost me everything.  July Fireworks Sky by Carol Ann Kauffman In July Fireworks Sky, the seventh book in the Cat Collier Mystery Short Story series, private investigator Mary Catherine Collier, known as Cat, finds herself in a disturbing, life-altering situation related to her brother’s trial. The outcome will have far reaching effects for not only herself, but Carter, Spencer, and others. The location for this cozy mystery bounces back and forth from her quiet, sleepy hometown of Heaton Valley, Ohio to New York City, where Cat has another branch of her detective agency and a wonderful, new love. Will Cat finally find the honesty she’s looking for?  Fraudulent Flights by Cinda A. Christiansen Perfectionist Skye Ridgemont must fly home to Herriman, Utah, when her family's air courier business is sued by her old beau--Clay Hadley. She didn't expect to find her Aunt Daisy inundated with a house full of cats and dogs and strangers running the business. She can't handle all the disorder! Where is her brother, what happened to Clay's shipments, and why is this St. Bernard following her everywhere? Creative Clay Hadley has been shipping with Eagle One Air Courier since he started his successful Friesian horse ranch. Now that his valuable shipments have been damaged, his whole business is at risk. On top of that, he must face Skye and her crazy dog in order to resolve the whole mess. Will their relationship maintain a holding pattern, or will Skye make one final approach to land in Clay's arms?  King of Malorn by Annie Douglass Lima Life as the king’s younger sister should be exciting. Not for Princess Kalendria. She’s sick of the dissent and of constantly having her family undermined by those who think they could rule Malorn better than King Korram. Hoping to lighten the mood in the palace, Kalendria plans a ball to celebrate her seventeenth birthday. It doesn’t hurt that their handsome Alasian ally King Jaymin has promised to attend, and she’s been waiting for him to notice her for as long as she can remember. But unfriendly forces have their own party plans. When Kalendria, Korram, and Jaymin barely survive an assassination attempt, their only recourse is to flee into the wilderness. Tracked by unknown assassins, they must figure out whom they can trust and who is behind the plot. Can Kalendria help her brother reclaim his throne – oh, and catch Jaymin’s attention while she’s at it – before they are all killed and war destroys both kingdoms?  The Clown on the High Wire by Charles Veley and Anna Elliott Sherlock Holmes is brought in to investigate on a cold London morning, when the body of a clown is discovered within the vast emptiness of the Olympia Amphitheater, hanging from the center of the high wire tightrope, There are no footprints, and no indication as to how the clown met his fate. Lucy James and Dr. Watson hope this baffling mystery will bring Holmes out of his obsession with the killer who eluded capture in their previous case. But the cases are linked, and the danger to the Baker Street team is very real. The Sherlock and Lucy series has been recommended by the Library of Clean Reads. July 2nd  Shard & Shield by Laura VanArendonk Baugh He can save her life—if he sacrifices himself and those he swore to protect. King’s bastard Shianan Becknam buries himself in his military career to avoid the family that never wanted him and the dangers of drawing political attention. When the artifact intended to end an interdimensional war is damaged, the mage Ariana is trapped on the other side of the rift with her servant—only the cheery young boy is really one of the monstrous enemy, disguised as a human. Shianan is desperate to rescue Ariana, one of his few friends, but to do so requires committing treason and betraying his duty, leaving his people open to attack. State mage Ariana struggles to survive as a prisoner of war in a world of deadly magic and unfamiliar customs. Her only ally is her former servant, now a renowned warrior caught up in political machinations. To survive, he’ll have to once again take up the fight against Ariana’s world. As their people’s wasted armies prepare for fresh battle that will devastate both sides, bastard, mage, and monster must set aside prejudices and rivalries to find an end to centuries of conflict, before they die as traitors.  At First Spark by Liwen Y. Ho He’s a tender-hearted firefighter who’s been burned by love. She’s an optimistic bookstore owner determined to heal his heart. Little do they know how much sacrifice it will take for them to be together. Firefighter Darren Spark doesn’t think twice about risking it all when it comes to his job, but he’s not about to put his heart on the line for love. He's accepted the fact that no woman will want him when he can't promise them a future ...until he meets the one who challenges that belief. Abandoned as a baby, Danica Reed longs to fill in the missing pieces of her past with a family of her own. She’s more than ready to get married and have kids, but she wonders why the perfect man—who's just as into her and wants the same things—keeps taking one step forward in their relationship, then two steps back. Darren won’t let himself hope for more; Danica won’t settle for less. But there’s one obstacle they can’t seem to overcome. Will the spark that drew them to each other be enough to keep their love burning or will their short-lived romance go down in flames?  Desperate Forest by Cece Louise A daring escape. An ominous forest. An unexpected alliance. For nineteen years, Princess Roselynn’s life has been three things: Safe, comfortable, and predictable. But when her father is murdered and she uncovers a plot to end her life, she must leave her home and take her chances in a treacherous forest—all to stay alive and be reunited with the man she loves. Along the way, she encounters a group of outlaws, each with their own secrets and purpose. But who can she trust? Jay, the enigma whose tough exterior and conflicting actions both deter and intrigue her? Gavin, the former knight, trying to right the wrongs of her own broken kingdom, all while risking his safety? Laurel, the cold young woman with the shadowy past who sees her arrival as a threat? Roselynn soon finds the lines between ally and enemy blurred, as dangerous incidents and sinister warnings cause her to question what she knows and where her heart lies. Can she find the courage she needs to save her kingdom and herself, or will she lose everything to the dark forest? July 4th  Curse and Consequences by Savannah Jezowski When Love visits Ravenhead Hall, sparks fly…quite literally. Miss Rea Abernathy only wants to honor the family who has taken her under their wing, rescuing her from a life of poverty. But thanks to two determined suitors, she finds herself in a state far worse than the one from which her benefactress saved her. When Mr. Sedgwick Whitby sets his sights on his mother’s sweet-tempered pig keeper, his orderly life is thrown into chaos: Rea’s station is less–than-desirable, and another gentleman may be pursuing her. Hoping to get his annoyingly charming twin brother out of the way, Sedgwick purchases a simple curse from a disreputable faery which consequently plunges them all into a misfortune far more serious than troubles of the heart. With time running out to break the curse and tempers flying high, can Sedgwick and Rea set things right and find love after all? Regency meets dragons in this frolicking fantasy romance about a comely pig keeper, two wealthy gentlemen, and the curse binding them all together.  The Library War by Cecily Wolfe Best friends with SECRET CRUSHES - on each other! Connor and Maya have volunteered at the neighborhood library together since middle school, but when a grant makes a paid summer position available, their relationship crumbles as they compete to prove which of them is more worthy of the job. The third YA novel from award-winning, best-selling author Cecily Wolfe looks at friendship under pressure, with humor, drama, and misunderstandings that ultimately don't stand a chance against true love.  Universal Threat by Margaret Traynor and Killarney Traynor Three Teens. One Hiking Trip. One Huge Problem. All high school student Heather Miller wants is a chance to make a big impression on Jeff Levinson, the awkward/genius new kid in school. Taking him hiking in the White Mountains with her cool older brother, part-time park ranger Nick, seems like a great idea... until they discover a strange ship, crash-landed in the middle of nowhere. Aliens have landed. They are bigger, faster, stronger, and have nothing to lose and no one to fear. Stranded in the mountains, miles from civilization, Heather, Jeff, and Nick are the only ones that can save Earth from invasion - if they can survive long enough to get back home. 'Universal Threat' is a nostalgic sci-fi adventure set in the 1980s, written by and for Twilight Zone fans. Best read outdoors by campfire. July 5th  A Call to Charms by Leanne Leeds A human conspiracy. A paranormal secret. Can the most powerful witch on the planet find her missing friend without exposing her powers to the world? With Gunther back at the Makepeace Circus and her romantic relationship’s future in question, what Charlotte really needs is some peace, quiet and time to think. A cauldron call from her mother about the mysterious disappearance of Tabitha Stevens in Mickwac, however, brings the Magical Midway back to the human world and face to face with the secrets of her small Texas hometown. As Charlotte pieces together the confidential conspiracies and concealed ambitions of the Mickwac criminal elite, she comes face to face with hints that her own secrets may be far more known than they should be—and those secrets could be at the center of a conspiracy that threatens the Magical Midway and all those she cares about. Can Charlotte find Tabitha, protect the circus’s secrets, and stop the conspiracy—before it’s too late? July 8th  Sandover Beach Melodies by Emma St. Clair She broke her own rules… ...you can’t fall in love when you’re on the run. After rebuilding her life on Sandover Island, Mercer got comfortable. Too comfortable. She started to believe in fresh starts and second chances. And she made the biggest mistake of all: she fell in love. Beau wants more. The harder he pushes at Mercer's walls, the stronger they seem to be. She gives him an inch, then steps back a mile. He knows she's worth the fight, if only she will give him her trust. Mercer knows it's only a matter of time until her past catches her. She isn't safe, not even in Beau’s strong arms. She can’t escape what she left behind and he won't want her if he knows her secret shame. Can Beau and Mercer build a future or will the past tear it all down? July 9th  Beauty and the Beach by Kayla Tirrell A tale as old as time...with a twist! Rose had it all until melanoma left her scarred at the ripe age of eighteen. Now, she’s Sterling's most infamous recluse, and no one knows why except for her family. Adam spends his summers working at the local tourist trap to help his mom make ends meet. So when his neighbor offers to pay him enough to cover rent for a month if he breaks into Rose Beaumont's house, he jumps at the opportunity. This chance encounter between two teens from opposite sides of the beach soon transforms into something more. But just when things start heating up, secrets that can destroy everything threaten to surface. July 11th  A Bride for Christmas by Cheryl Wright Homeless and destitute after the sudden death of her father, and against her better judgement, Melody Harken agrees to become a mail order bride. Desperately lonely, widower Peter Williams applies for a mail order bride after losing his dear wife two years earlier. Guilt-ridden, he is having second thoughts. Before he can retract his request, his distressed new bride turns up in Dayton Falls without notice. Can the beautiful stranger change his mind? And will Melody even marry him after his initial rejection?  Murder in the Blue By B.T. Lord After attending a law enforcement conference in Alaska, Sheriff Cammie Farnsworth and Dr. Samuel Westerfield decide to spend a few extra days enjoying the beauty of Denali National Park. Their vacation is shattered when a woman is poisoned to death at the lodge where they’re staying. Their situation grows worse when a sudden, unexpected blizzard hits that not only knocks out all communication, but snows them in with a murderer. With escape impossible, Cammie and Doc must do their best to uncover the killer before they strike again. Meanwhile back in Twin Ponds, Maine, Deputy Sheriff Rick Belleveau and Cammie’s fiancé Jace Northcott are confronted by Cammie’s past when her husband suddenly shows up. Believed to have died in a fiery car crash sixteen years before, Harlan Barrow is very much alive and demanding to once again be part of Cammie’s life. With trouble brewing between Harlan and Jace, Rick and police dispatcher/receptionist Emmy Madachuck must race to discover why Harlan is back, and uncover what exactly happened the night he died. July 15th  Hearts Unshackled by Amy Klaus A princess. An outcast. A fate worse than death. Will their love triumph, or will they be torn apart before it ever has a chance? Princess Katherine has never questioned her duty as the heir to the throne of Maledonia. Never, that is, until she meets a hunter named Naithan and her entire life is thrown into disarray - blissful, dangerous disarray. But in spite of her attraction to the young hunter and his simple lifestyle, as the Crown Princess, betrothed since childhood, bound by her duty, she will never be free to love. Duty takes on an entirely new meaning for Katherine and Naithan when a fledgling slave trade threatens to divide and destroy Maledonia … and their families. Will they have the courage to risk everything they love to save innocent lives from a fate worse than death? Or will they become the slavers’ next targets? July 16th  Call You Home by Jan Thompson She speaks fluent sign language… But she can’t interpret his mixed signals… To save a landmark restaurant in Savannah, two chefs must put aside their twenty-year-old feud and cook together. But is he one chef too many in her hot kitchen? From USA Today bestselling author Jan Thompson comes the last book in her Savannah Sweethearts series of sweet, clean, wholesome, and inspirational contemporary Christian romances celebrating faith, hope, and love in Jesus Christ. This series is set in the historic southern city of Savannah, Georgia, and on the beaches of small town Tybee Island by the Atlantic Ocean, two of the most romantic places in the world. In Call You Home, chef-owner Piper Peyton can handle one disaster at a time in her restaurant, but not two unexpected catastrophes on the same day that threaten to shut down Piper’s Place for good, and possibly end her career as a restaurateur. For cruise ship chef de cuisine Isaac Untermeyer, he can hold a grudge for twenty years and then some. However, when he sees his high school nemesis in trouble, he still wants to help her. He doesn’t know why. Or how.  Mission Hollywood by Michelle Keener A Hollywood bad boy. A pastor’s daughter. What could possibly go wrong? Movie star Ben Prescott arrives back in Hollywood after causing a scandal with his ex-girlfriend in Rome. Chased through the airport by paparazzi, he jumps into a limo hoping for a quick getaway. Instead he finds Lily Shaw, a pastor’s daughter and preschool teacher. When the paparazzi capture a photo of the two of them together, Ben’s agent demands that he do whatever it takes to keep the story from hitting the gossip pages . . . even volunteer to work at Lily’s church. Sparks fly as the movie star and the pastor’s daughter work side by side. When Lily accompanies Ben to the premiere of his latest movie, Hollywood takes notice. Under intense media scrutiny and pressure from the movie industry, Ben must risk his career to follow his heart, but Lily wants the one thing he doesn’t have, faith. July 17th  Something Right by Rose Fresquez Jake Larson is good at everything…except relationships. When his marriage ends, it leaves the firefighter with doubts he’s never experienced before. Now he’s determined to protect his crushed heart the only way he knows how: avoid falling in love at all costs. And thanks to his friend Ezra, Jake is more than content to fill the hole in his life with a newfound faith in Christ and the hope for a brighter—if single—future. Renee Buchanan is one of the best interior designers Colorado has to offer, and she knows it. She’s young, skilled, and confident…except when she’s around Jake Larson. Every time Jake steps into a room, her carefully crafted professionalism crumbles, and she finds herself lost. And that’s a problem when Jake hires Renee to decorate his fixer-upper of a home. Not only is Jake her brother’s best friend, he’s also the gentleman of her dreams. And no matter how determined she is to make this the well-designed house of her career, and how thick the walls around Jake’s heart are, something new sizzles up between them, something they can’t help but be drawn toward. As they work together to chip away at the walls of both Jake’s house and his heart, Jake is faced with a life-changing decision: let himself fall for his best friend’s beautiful sister, or stay single but keep his friendship intact. Either way, Jake knows he must let go of his past before he can grab hold of the future…or else risk losing the second chance he desperately needs. Something Right is a sweet interracial romance between a damaged firefighter and the interior designer determined to make him whole again. July 18th  A New Leash on Love by Eliza Boyd He doesn’t want to lose his business. She doesn’t want to lose her sense of home. Can they keep those things if they fall in love? Hannah Lockhart is only in True Love to help her cousin out at her new animal sanctuary. It's thousands of miles from home, and she's ready to get back to her job. Then she and the owner of the juice bar start off on the wrong foot, which reinforces her desire to leave. Except a wrong number text turns into fun banter and shines a better light on this new town her cousin now calls home. Luke Steiner is so worried about his dog’s health that he’s short-tempered with a customer. When he apologizes in person, she fires back and he ends up agreeing to spending more time with her to get her back home as soon as possible. But then a number he doesn’t recognize texts him for help around town and he replies, hoping it’ll brighten his awful day. Luckily for him, it does. Unluckily for him, he has no idea it’s Hannah on the other end. And she doesn’t know it’s Luke. As their anonymous text messages become more frequent, their in-person relationship begins to soften. But Hannah’s still determined to get back home, and Luke’s track record with women tells him he needs to back off before he loses his business—again. When the truth comes out, will Hannah and Luke go their separate ways? Or will the pair have a new “leash” on love?  Starting Anew by Melanie D. Snitker He's afraid to trust. She has a secret that could change everything between them. Will they let go of their fear, or allow it to rob them of their chance at happiness? For most of his life, Nathan Kirkpatrick was lied to by everyone he cared about. Now, he's determined to leave the past behind him, and focus on a new future with his only real family--his young daughter, Mia, and his long-lost brother, Chess. When he finds himself attracted to Mia's pretty and kind caretaker, Lynn, he must do some heavy-duty soul searching. Can he trust her? Or will falling for her put his family at risk? Lynn Crosby's passion cost her everything. Her parents all but disowned her for pursuing her dream of a music career, and then the music industry she loved wanted her to compromise her values. All she wants is to hold on to her quiet life, with a new name, and an ordinary job as a day care worker. But the more time she spends with Nathan, the more she wants to share her true self with him. Can she trust him to understand and love both sides of her? Or will he walk away like everyone else? An inspirational Christian novel about learning to trust, finding acceptance, and the healing power of truth spoken in love.  Troubled Escape by Angelique Conger A wicked and forbidden city… When a giant kidnaps Rilda from her poor home in a small village, she is carried into a dangerous war. Taking a risky gamble, she escapes and flees into Nod, the city that forbids any mention of her God, Jehovah. But she is alone… In the middle of a battle… In the safety of a walled home, she meets Emer, a severely injured and angry guardsman. Drawn to him by his need, Rilda prays to the forbidden god to heal him. But he hears her prayers. Can she trust him with her secrets? July 19th  Final Allegiance by J.S. Ririe A Christian-based Mystery Novel “An extraordinary adventure unlike any other told that makes you wonder what choices you would make.” -Elizabeth B. “I, Reagan Sinclair, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely; without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.” One moment is all it takes to get caught in a web of conspiracy and betrayal. A mesmerizing story about divided loyalties, harsh reality, unlikely friendship, fierce competition and deadly alliances that will keep you guessing and wanting more. July 20th  Sunlight and Shadows by Jessica Marie Holt Set in 1870s rural North Carolina, this heartrending and heartwarming sequel to Just Before Dawn tells the story of Betty Everleigh, a young woman who is coming of age just as her world is falling apart. Betty is a simple girl, and, at seventeen, the only thing she really wants for her future is what she's always had--a cozy home, a loving family, and a quiet life just outside of town. But just when her dream is in reach, a sudden tragic event shatters her simple existence. As she picks up the pieces, she learns that her idyllic life was just a façade, and the truth beyond it is more complex, heartbreaking, and challenging than she ever imagined. To pull herself and her family together, she must dig deep to find grace enough to forgive, faith enough to let go, and courage enough to move forward.  A Rival's Proposal by Lia London Love shouldn't be a competition... Viktor Giles drives a Tesla, works 60 hours a week on the way to executive status, and shoots well under par on the golf course. With good looks on top of that, he is the most eligible bachelor in town. So why is he afraid to bump into his old arch-rival, Angelika? Angelika Aldrich is accomplished, kind, and the truest kind of friend... so why is she always overshadowed by her siblings and overlooked by men? Maybe she'd be better off focusing on humanitarian work and her three-legged cat. When old friends goad Viktor and Angelika into a race to romance, neither one dares admit the truth. Despite their many achievements, they're losers in love. But as the competition ramps up, Viktor and Angelika discover their rivalry has developed a new kind of chemistry. July 22nd  The Cobra in the Monkey Cage by Anna Elliott and Charles Veley #2 in the new series of Sherlock and Lucy short stories! "A new way to enjoy Sherlockian mysteries." -- The Santa Barbara Independent A desperate appeal from Dr. Watson's medical school classmate leads to a night of perilous adventure for Sherlock Holmes and Lucy James at the London Zoo. The Baker Street team must defeat a remarkably clever murderer in this fast-paced narrative, told in turns by Lucy and Dr. Watson. The Sherlock and Lucy stories combine gripping intrigue with clean family values, and have been recommended by the Library of Clean Reads. July 23rd  A Family for Christmas by Cheryl Wright Twenty-eight year old Magdalena Roth had already agreed to become a mail order bride before tragedy struck and she found herself the mother of a small baby. Jacob Carruthers had arranged for a mail order bride, and Miss Roth sounded perfect. Never in his wildest dreams did he believe he would have not only a wife, but a family for Christmas. Can these two strangers make their marriage work, especially with an unexpected baby?  Summer Snoops Unleashed by Various Authors Summertime Murders are RUFF ALL BRAND NEW STORIES! Looking for cool cozies for hot summer days? Then you'll love this purr-fectly paw-some cozy mystery boxed set from fourteen USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Amazon best-selling authors. We've pulled out all the stops with Summer Snoops Unleashed! Enjoy hours of fun sniffing out clues on sandy beaches, shimmering waterways, and at small-town celebrations in these brand-new stories full of wily sleuths, cagey plots, and un-fur-gettable tails! Fetch your copy now to get these furr-ocious new cozy mysteries and woof it up with us! They're howlingly good reads! All preorders support best lives for pets!  The Viscount Deception by Wendy May Andrews Sparks fly. Will they burn bridges or warm hearts? After almost becoming a pawn in a villain's schemes, Lady Anne is firming her backbone and grasping independence. But that doesn't change the fact that she needs to make an advantageous marriage to pull her family out of destitution. Confirmed bachelor, Wesley Dunbar, Viscount of Bracondale, is furious when he learns of her involvement in the plot against his best friend. But he's also mesmerized by Anne's transformation from a country duckling to a fierce and beautiful swan. Wesley and Anne's ambitions couldn't be more different, so why can't they stay away from each other? Will they both be able to find what they seek by mending their differences and standing side-by-side?  Katharina Fortitude by Margaret Skea ‘We are none of us perfect, and a streak of stubbornness is what is needed in dealing with a household such as yours, Kat… and with Martin.’ Wittenberg 1525. The unexpected marriage of Martin Luther to Katharina von Bora has no fairytale ending. A sign of apostasy to their enemies, and a source of consternation to their friends, it sends shock waves throughout Europe. Yet, as they face persecution, poverty, war, plague and family tragedy, Katharina’s resilience and strength of character shines through.  A 5K and a Kiss by Maddie Evans Welcome to Brighthead, Maine, a coastal town where the winters are cold and the hearts are warm. Only a month after the death of her sister, Aileen gets an offer from her sister’s running club. They’re holding a 5K race in Kelty’s honor, and they’d like Aileen to be a part of it. She’s a librarian who never wanted to run a race, at least not until they offer to train her. And by “they,” we mean Trey, a cute guy who’s a lot of fun and is always up for an adventure. He’s her opposite in so many ways, but maybe that’s just what she needs. Trey has never held much to schedules. Life’s too short not to have fun with it. He’d love to take away Aileen’s pain, and running together is the best way he knows. She has fun when she’s with him. If it leads to more, he’s all-in. The more miles they do together, the more they can’t deny the attraction. With her life upended, though, all Aileen wants is security. Whereas with Trey, there’s always something unexpected. A 5K and a Kiss brings together an unlikely pair racing to find love somewhere between the start and the finish line. Love isn’t a sprint—it’s a long run. July 24th  Sweet Deal by Juli Caldwell Mandy believes in love at first sight but guards her heart hard after being burned in the past. She's so busy running a successful candy shop and an online chocolate empire that her lack of a love life doesn't bother her much. But when a handsome stranger finds her runaway cat, she finds her broken heart beating for someone new. Dane Giamattei has everything to prove and everything to lose when he comes to Fairport Village. The moment he meets Mandy, he knows the simple deal he came to close isn't quite as simple as his boss told him. And he knows his heart is in trouble. Mandy is the one person in the way of Dane making the deal of a lifetime, and the one person worth giving it all up for. The more he learns about Mandy, the deal and his boss, the more confused he gets. When his career and his growing interest in Mandy collide, he has to make the hardest choice of his life. Will circumstances keep them apart? Or will Mandy and Dane close the deal of a lifetime? July 25th  The Changeling's Clan by T Bear Pelton Lucan has discovered he is not a purebred laird; his mother was a changeling, a substitute for a baby lost to illness, adopted in by her clan and married to his father years ago to solidify a peace treaty. Lucan discovers he and his siblings carry the gene for magik, and that his animal speech is only one of his gifts. While making ice cubes may seem like an odd way to fight a war against an encroaching enemy, and certainly no way to destroy radioactive rocks, it has its place in the total schema of protecting his clan land and his people. In the meantime, Lucan's family have gone a little out of specs for the normal clan family. Brother Francis falls in love with a tech savvy lady and so do his warrior bots. Brother Michael is smitten with a stranger from a country where there is no magik, who comes riding into clan lands on a white warhorse, accompanied by a princeling and a pack full of detonators. Lucan's sister Morgana wants to marry a weapons master with a good heart but a checkered past. David's child Ian Alistair talks dragons out of the sky to play with him; the family meets their grandmother, a dragon master who appears to be over three hundred years old; the constant whirl of events in Clan Falconer would collapse a lesser laird. Lucan and Amanda manage it all in stride. Yet when the King calls for help for all five Kingdoms, personal loves and weddings are laid aside as the family rallies to destroy those who would destroy the land. With constant action, budding love, ancient wisdom and a lot of luck from a little dragon called Melchior, will Clan Falconer make its way safely through another year? July 27th  Model: Rustic by Nix Whittaker Model humans are divided. Some are wary of the possibility of humans from earth arriving while others are on a war footing. When a scout from earth arrives Crescent is forced to choose a side. Putting her family at risk and everything she has ever cared for. Levi had been told the new planet he was scouting was empty of human life. Thrown into the middle of a political war he has to rely on a stranger. July 29th  The Privateer of San Madrid by Danielle Thorne There's a bounty on his head... Captain Julius Bertrand isn't a pirate anymore, but someone wants him out of the way. Distracted by an avaricious girl he could never love and the beautiful Kate O'Connell who doesn't need him, Bertrand tries to untangle the web of mysterious cargo someone in the New World wants to keep a secret. Kate O'Connell arrives in San Madrid determined to put her past behind her. Assisting her physician father shouldn't be too scandalous if she can mind her tongue and temper, but it seems all of the women on the island see her as less than suitable for their company. When tragedy strikes, she must forgive them all and put her best foot forward, even if that means rubbing shoulders with the one man who captivates her heart and imagination. Bertrand's pirating past returns with the explosive force of a sweeping broadside, and he finds he must sacrifice everything his respectable life has brought him in order to save what matters most.  Check out these new releases from authors involved with American Christian Fiction Writers. You're sure to find a new favorite! Contemporary Romance:
Hometown Hope by Laurel Blount — In the three years since her mother’s death, widower Hoyt Bradley’s daughter, Jess, hasn’t spoken—until she suddenly begs him to save her favorite bookstore from closing. Hoyt is desperate to hear his daughter’s voice again, but he and the bookstore’s pretty owner, Anna Delaney, share a less-than-friendly past. Working together is complicated enough…but can they avoid falling in love? (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin]) A Heart Surrendered by Joy K. Massenburge — Since her teens, pastor’s daughter Sharonda Peterson devoted her life to church service and solitude after the one night she gave Carl Ray Everhart everything. Sobered by a near-death experience, prodigal Carl returns home from an acting and singing career to serve as the worship leader at Sheronda’s church, and she finds that it takes every ounce of her resolve to resist his pursuits … not to mention memories that threaten to overturn the delicate balance she’s created. Can she finally surrender the one thing she’s tried all these years to protect: her heart? (Contemporary Romance from Harambee Press [Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas]) Starting Anew by Melanie D. Snitker — He’s afraid to trust. She has a secret that could change everything between them. Will they let go of their fear, or allow it to rob them of their chance at happiness? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published) Historical: Underestimating Miss Cecilia by Carolyn Miller — Can shy, sweet Cecilia overcome her family’s prejudice to see a future with the recently returned prodigal son from next door? (Historical from Kregel Publications) Benaiah: Might Man of God by PH Thompson — A novel of Biblical, historical fiction about Benaiah, one of King David’s mighty men, examining the premise: What happens when the king’s most obedient soldier is issued a wicked command? (Historical/Biblical from Word Alive Press) Historical Romance: Waltz with Destiny by Catherine Ulrich Brakefield — When the men and women of World War II marched off to war, they didn’t know what lay ahead. All they knew was that upon their young and inexperienced shoulders rested the plight of the free world. (Historical Romance from CrossRiver Media Group) Thimbles and Threads by Mary Davis, Grace Hitchcock, Suzanne Norquist, and Liz Tolsma — Enjoy four historical romances that celebrate the arts of sewing and quilting. When Tilly, a schoolteacher; Alice, a bridal shop owner; Sarah, a seamstress; and Melissa, a rag doll designer, put needle and thread to fabric, will their talents lead to the surprising gift of love? (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing) Refiner’s Fire by J.M. Hochstetler -- Will the promise their hearts cling to finally find joyful fulfillment, or will war’s refining fire separate them forever? (Historical Romance from Sheaf House Publishers) Where Dandelions Bloom by Tara Johnson — To escape an arranged marriage, Cassie Kendrick enlists in the Union army as a man, taking the name Thomas Turner. On the battlefields of the Civil War, keeping her identity a secret is only the beginning of her problems, especially after she meets Gabriel Avery, a handsome young photographer. Anxious to make his mark on the world and to erase past guilt, Gabriel works with renowned photographer Matthew Brady to capture images from the front lines of the war. As Gabriel forges friendships along the way, he wonders what the courageous, unpredictable Thomas Turner is hiding. Battling betrayal, their own personal demons, and a country torn apart by war, can Cassie and Gabriel forgive themselves and trust their futures to the God who births hope and healing in the darkest places? (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker]) The Express Bride by Kimberly Woodhouse — Jacqueline Rivers manages a Pony Express station in 1860 Utah territory after her father’s death. There are daily stresses placed on her in this unconventional role—and now a government official is asking her to sniff out counterfeiters. When Elijah Johnson passes through on the stage while on an exhausting quest to find his boss’s heir, he doesn’t want to leave the beguiling station manager. In fact, he may never leave when caught in the crossfire of the territory’s criminal activities. Can she remain strong when secrets of the past and present are finally unearthed? (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing) Romantic Suspense: Legacy Rejected by Robin Patchen — She’s not giving up her home, no matter what threats come against her. Realtor Ginny Lamont’s family has abandoned her, leaving her with nothing but a warning that she’s in danger. But Ginny’s built a home in New Hampshire. After a childhood of nomadic living, she’s not running again, certainly not because of some nameless, baseless threat. Real estate developer Kade Powers is thrilled to go out with Nutfield’s beautiful new real estate agent. But the prowler they surprise after their first date offers a glimpse into Ginny’s past and the legacy of lies her parents left her with. She brings a mystery, one he’s determined to help her solve. With Kade’s help, Ginny searches for the truth of her parents’ criminal activity while her enemies close in. When mobsters show up in her quaint New England town, will she find a way to bring them down, or will she lose the home—and the man—she’s come to love? (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published) Suspense: Storm Rising by Ronie Kendig — Mentioned in the pages of the Old Testament but lost to history, the Book of the Wars has resurfaced, and its pages hold secrets–and dangers–never before seen on earth. Tasked with capturing the ancient text, former Navy SEAL Leif Metcalfe is once more given command of his own team. But their best efforts are ruined when a notorious Bulgarian operative known as Viorica snatches the volume right out from under them. Iskra “Viorica” Todorova is determined to use the book to secure the thing that matters most–freedom. But a series of strange storms erupts around the globe, and the coming dangers foretold in the text threaten crops, lives, and entire nations. Though both are haunted by secrets of their past and neither trusts the other, Leif and Iskra must form an uneasy alliance to thwart impending disaster. However, the truth hidden in centuries-old words could unleash a storm of their own destruction. (Suspense from Bethany House [Baker]) Speculative: The Story Raider by Lindsay A. Franklin — Deceiving an empire is a treacherous game. Tanwen and the Corsyth weavers race to collect the strands of an ancient cure that might save Gryfelle. But Tanwen has a secret–Gryfelle isn’t the only one afflicted by the weaver’s curse. As Queen Braith struggles to assert her rule, a new arrival throws her tenuous claim to the Tirian throne into question. Braith’s heart is turned upside down, and she’s not sure she can trust anyone–least of all herself. The puppet master behind Gareth’s rise to power has designs on Tanwen and the story weavers, and will stop at nothing to reclaim the throne. A plot to incite the angry peasants of Tir takes shape, and those dearest to Tanwen will be caught in the crossfire. As the fight for Tir consumes the realm, no one can remain innocent. (Speculative from Enclave Publishing)
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
ACFW Member
 
Archives
July 2023
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed