 Happy May! I love this month - the weather is beautiful, wildflowers are cropping up everywhere, and it just makes me feel cheerful. It also means school is starting to wind down for the summer. I don't know about you, but I find it's great to have some books waiting for me on my Kindle for those moments when I get some time to myself. Thankfully, there are a number of fabulous books coming out this month. I hope you'll take some time to browse around and pick a few for yourself! If you missed last month's new releases, you can find them here. April 30th  No Greater Love by Gina Holder One Book Changed Her Life…and Her Eternity He said he’d never risk leaving a widow. She said she’d never love a man in uniform. Paige McDonald collects antique literature and works at the largest bookstore in Portland, Oregon. When her grandfather, a firefighter, was killed, she vowed never to fall in love with a first responder. An old Bible leads to an unexpected discovery and disrupts everything she knows about herself, her family, and God. Her desire to know the truth sends her to the town of Whitman directly into the radar of Patrol Officer Hamilton Bryant. After the loss of his best friend and fellow officer, Hamilton vowed never to marry. He won’t risk leaving a widow. Instead, he reserves his passion for serving his family and the town he’s sworn to protect. When a series of robberies and threats against the mayor correspond with Paige’s sudden appearance in Whitman, their paths intersect. May 1st  Find You Again by Jan Thompson Firefighter Cheyenne Endecott is grateful to Savannah Senior Living Resort Director Roger Patel for providing a safe place for Aunt Gemma to live in her widowed years. When Roger needs a trustworthy confidant to help him deal with a skeleton in his family closet, Cheyenne is more than happy to pray for him and do what she can. She feels that she is returning a favor. One thing leads to another, and the favor starts to affect their friendship. Pretty soon, bachelor Roger is reconsidering his self-imposed moratorium on dating and relationships…  A Body in the Woods by Steve Demaree Cy has a new friend, he of the four-legged variety. On the morning of the winter's first snowstorm, Cy's new friend finds a body in the woods. When an autopsy reveals that the man was murdered, Cy and Lou, sometimes accompanied by Cy's new friend, go traipsing through the woods, driving through the most sparsely populated part of the county, and occasionally drive into town, to try to figure out who murdered the man. They soon learn that it is easier to deduce why he was murdered than to figure out who killed him. But eventually, Cy and Lou, with a little help from Cy's new friend, are able to bring the case to a conclusion and retreat to the warmth of their homes.  The Ranger's Forgiveness by Bree Livingston A conspiracy theorist, the high school sweetheart whose heart she broke, and the threats that bring them together. Taylor Mabrey runs a conspiracy theory satire website. It’s something she loves to do, and since it’s anonymous, she doesn’t think twice about it. But the fun stops when she starts getting ominous threats. Thinking she just needs a break, she goes home to spend time with family, where she comes face to face with Elijah Emerson—the only boy she’s ever loved . . . the one she dumped right after graduation. Elijah Emerson returns to his hometown to take care of his family’s estate after his mom passed away. But his plan for a quick trip goes awry when he sees his high school sweetheart, Taylor Mabrey. Nine years ago, they were supposed to run away and get married, instead she broke his heart, and he still doesn’t know why. When the threats follow Taylor and her home is burned down, Elijah feels compelled to protect her. Forced together, old feelings bubble to the surface as they confront their past, along with the reason Taylor ended things. May 2nd  Charmed by the Daring Cowboy by Melanie D. Snitker She's a landscaper on a deadline. He's a cowboy assigned to help. Will their growing attraction get in the way, or blossom into true love? Alyssa Reid has never shied away from a challenge, but she may be in over her head this time. The single mom is juggling two landscaping projects with strict deadlines. Having her young son and an ornery runaway goat underfoot certainly isn't helping. A handsome cowboy is assigned to help her, and she finds herself losing focus in a whole new way. Dare Jackson knows what it's like to be raised by a single mom. When the Sage Valley ranch hand meets Alyssa and her son Noah, he's immediately drawn to them. The more he gets to know them, the more he wants to be there for them both. But with every attempt he makes, he can feel Alyssa pulling farther away. He needs to change his game plan, and fast, because he's already having trouble imagining life without her. Alyssa is afraid to trust her heart--and her son's--to the kind cowboy. Dare doesn't know how to convince her he's worth the risk. Can they meet in the middle? Or, like Hopscotch the goat, will true love escape their grasp?  In the Market for Love by Megan Squires Sophie Potters’ life is in full bloom. Running both a thriving flower farm and successful Farmers’ Market, she’s living out her dreams in the idyllic Northern California town of Fairvale. While Sophie might be able to create stunning bouquets, she withers when it comes to romance. Content with her single status, she resolves to focus on her work, until a lost piece of luggage lands a handsome stranger on her porch. Landscape architect, Cole Blankenship, has always lived in his father’s shadow. When he’s selected as the designer for a popular backyard contest, a trip out west offers an opportunity to finally prove himself. He meets the charismatic florist who farms the same plot of land and tensions grow, along with unexpected feelings. But any sort of relationship is prohibited and could cost Cole the first place title and Sophie, her livelihood. Will Sophie and Cole let a contest dictate their love lives? Or will they discover that love grows best when you follow your heart and not the rules?  Monster of the Asylum by B.T. Lord and J.S. Stephens Sixteen year old Addison Monroe and her friends think they’ve hit the jackpot when they win a contest that will allow them to go on a televised ghost investigation with the nationally renowned TV paranormal investigative team, The Ghost Dudes. With cameras rolling, the two groups arrive at the infamous Meadowlark Asylum. Suddenly shut down nearly a half century before under mysterious circumstances, it’s become shrouded in stories and legends about the darkness, nicknamed Monster of the Asylum, that allegedly stalks its abandoned hallways. It isn’t long before Addison realizes something is terribly wrong. What was advertised as a Halloween night TV special takes on a sinister note when, as her team’s reluctant psychic, she begins to see visions that show what really happened all those years ago. Visions that warn her they are all in danger. Things escalate when one of her teammates suddenly disappears while the others, including members of The Ghost Dudes, slowly come to the horrifying realization that the legends about Meadowlark Asylum may actually be true. And the Monster won’t rest until it claims another victim. This is Book 1 in The Ghost Seekers Paranormal Mystery series. May 3rd  Not Until You by Valerie M. Bodden She clings to the past like a treasured antique. He’d rather toss it in the trash. But if they can learn to trust in the God of second chances, they might just discover a future together. The past is all she has… Since her husband’s death three years ago, Violet has struggled to keep their antique store afloat and her grief at bay. She knows it’s time to move on, but she’s not sure she wants to. So when Nate moves in next door, she tries to ignore the feelings he stirs in her—feelings that were supposed to have died with her husband. The past haunts him… Nate’s star was rising in the world of Christian music. But all that was erased with a single, life-shattering mistake. One he doesn’t deserve to be forgiven for. One that means he doesn’t deserve a future—and definitely not with his beautiful new neighbor. Can they have a future? As the two work together to save her store, neither can deny the feelings that are starting to develop. But when Nate’s secret is exposed, they have to decide if they should walk away—or trust that the God of second chances has a plan for their future. May 11th  An Unusual Adventure by Anne Perreault She needed more than her small town could give her. Judith Stone longs for an adventure, something to challenge her busy mind and her thirst for more. Austin Harding, her childhood friend, and the boy she has secretly loved all her life, returns after several years of absence and offers her exactly that. She jumps at the chance to spend her life with him and to see places of wonder. Along the way, they are met with unexpected danger. Austin Harding is about to take the trip of a lifetime, and he's decided to make Judith part of it. As they embark on their journey, he quickly finds out that trying to keep her safe is not as easy as he thought. Judith and Austin find themselves in the thrall of an unusual adventure, set in the barbaric middle east. Will they make it out alive?  Last Second Chance by Robert Goluba A convicted murderer. A caring family. Under one roof. Rick Powell’s relentless dedication to succeed serves him well. He expects the same results when he gets sucked into the family business. He’s wrong. Things implode, and the bank wants its money back. Generations of hard-work look to be lost forever. Out of options, Rick and his wife accept an inmate into their home to gain some quick cash….and provide a second chance. At first, it appears to be a stroke of genius, but incarcerated felons are unpredictable. Nothing goes as planned. Will granting an inmate a second chance be a deadly mistake? May 12th  Tortured Soul by Theresa Linden A single woman thrown out of her family home. A terrifying specter that only she sees. A dark connection between his past and hers… After her father’s tragic death and her mother’s more recent passing, loss leaves an emptiness she can’t fill. But now thirty-two-year-old Jeannie Lyons must leave her family home, the one place that lets her keep alive the memory of her parents. She moves into an old house on the edge of town, one too big for just her and her three-legged cat, but she soon gets the impression she’s not alone. Her brother thinks she has an overactive imagination. Her sister-in-law thinks she needs counseling. The man her brother’s been trying to set her up with is the only one who seems to believe her, but can she trust him? Having nowhere else to turn, she must face her inner demons and confront this soul from beyond the grave... May 14th  Game Plan by Kayla Tirrell I’ve got one shot to win his heart. I’ve had a crush on Preston Royce for as long as I can remember. Only, I’ve never told him, or anyone, because he doesn’t see me that way. (And because his sister, Charlie, happens to be my best friend!) But when Preston’s girlfriend breaks his heart, Charlie comes up with a plan to get them back together—a plan that involves Preston and me pretending to date. Yeah, it’s a bad idea cozying up with a guy who’s still in love with his ex, but it may be my only chance to get close to him before we graduate high school. He thinks we’re faking. Meanwhile, I’m falling more in love with him.... May 15th  Fourth of July at Barbecue Corral by Irene Onorato Rachel Valentino is anxious to get back to business when her bistro is finally repaired after being damaged by a tornado. But everything is turned upside down when her self-centered older sister unexpectedly sends Amy, her pre-teen daughter, to live with Rachel without permission or foreknowledge. Fate brings handsome and kindhearted Seth Garrison, an old high school crush, back into Rachel’s life. But with a bistro to run and the responsibility of surrogate motherhood suddenly resting on her shoulders, the chance for romance seems slim. When disaster strikes, Rachel must find a way to face seemingly insurmountable challenges. To start over in business, master instant parenthood…and accept unconditional love. May 16th  Inspired by the Creative Cowboy by Bree Livingston A woman who’s lost her trust, an artist who’s lost his inspiration, and the broken-down barn that brings them together. Summer Brown is back at Sage Valley Ranch nursing the loss of her job and desperate to prove herself. Her Nanna has given her the task of restoring the old barn used for events. When the contractor she’s hired skips town, she’s left high and dry—until Julian Wolf steps in. He sure is good-looking, but her trust is shot. Artist Julian Wolf has wandered aimlessly since the failure of his last gallery showing. When he hears the cute blonde lamenting the loss of her contractor, he offers to help. His plan was to fix the barn, maybe do a little soul-searching in hope of finding his inspiration, not lose his heart to a girl he’ll have to leave. May 27th  Bad Things, Small Packages by Perry Elisabeth Kirkpatrick She's a barista... and an accidental spy. Someone is chasing ICS agent Brent Peterson for the contents of a microSD card. The problem is... he doesn't have it. Emily is just trying to adult: make ends meet, save for college, and keep from getting sick and missing work. But the microSD card Brent stashed on her car is making more trouble than either of them could have guessed. Getting it to the decryption genius before it self-destructs, and understanding its contents is going to take both of them. The spy agency needs saving, but Brent and Emily don't even know it. Are they up to the task? May 24th  Surprised by the Billionaire by Remi Carrington Canadian billionaire Antoine Bergeron has spent the last seven years alone and is content to stay that way. Loving and losing once is enough for a lifetime. But a surprise encounter with a beautiful American stranger has him changing travel plans and rearranging his life to surprise her again and again. His one rule: he doesn’t discuss his past. For Gemma Tyler, life is almost perfect—a cute apartment, good friends, and a successful personal shopping business—until she spills wine on a charming stranger with a delicious accent. Since they live in different countries, his interest surprises her, but she decides there’s no harm in spending time with him while he’s in town. But after only a couple of dates, she’s close to breaking her one dating rule: no long-distance relationships. All the money in the world can’t move Texas and Toronto closer together. Maybe some rules are made to be broken. And when Gemma gets an unexpected surprise that sends her running, Antoine will finally have to face his fears and open up about his past. May 29th  How to Date a Genie by Jessica L. Elliott All she wants is a normal life, but normal is hard to come by when you're a genie. Oriana Codona is enjoying a brief reprieve from the demands of an unreasonable wisher while staying with her brother. But her past isn't going to let her go that easily, and it's going to take more than wishes to become free. Perhaps with the help of a sweet, new friend, Oriana can be free not just from this wisher, but from all of them. Trent Moss finds himself caught between the world he's always known and one he never believed existed. But when Oriana is in danger, he's willing to do whatever it takes to keep her safe. Even if it means losing his heart in the process. May 30th  Sweet Complications by Stacy Claflin He can have any woman he wants… except her. NFL quarterback Dylan Manley's life revolves around his career and the fame associated with it. He's only back in Indigo Bay to help with a fundraiser in memory of his best friend. But then finds he has to work with Brooke—the one person who has always made him trip over his own feet. Brooke Davenport is a far cry from the girl next door who left town years ago. Focused on her political aspirations and still recovering from the loss of her doting brother, she wants nothing more than to return to DC for good. But first she has to get through the fundraiser with Dylan, who she blames for her brother's death. When a family emergency pulls Brooke's parents out of town, the success of the fundraiser depends on Brooke and Dylan. He'll do whatever it takes to show her he's a new man, but every attempt only makes him look worse. If he can't make things right, he'll lose her forever.  Ninety Days to the God Habit by J. Traveler Pelton Has your spiritual life hit a ditch? Instead of peace and prayer in the morning, do you find yourself dashing out the door, apologizing to God for being in a rush, feeling regret as you charge off to the meet your day? Is there a glass ceiling over your prayers, worse, have you felt He isn't listening anymore, and you know it's probably your own fault? Do you feel as if you're drifting, like flotsam in the river, instead of riding the flood of God's strength; is your worship life down to what happens at church, fed to you by others, predigested and ground like baby food, better than nothing but not very filling, giving you no lasting joy? What's the excuse you give yourself to cover the guilt you feel over leaving Him waiting for you? When the chaos of life become all too encompassing, leaving you feeling battered, helpless and exhausted, there is hope. It's time to break the destructive routine and get a new one going that works. This book helps you understand how to climb out of the rut of mediocrity, how to start a habit of living in the Presence of God, and it gives you a path, clear, simple and scientifically proven, to a triumphant relationship with God. Recover your faith, renew your love, revive your soul. Isn't it time you fell in love all over again? May 31st  Drowned at the Rat by April Anderton The bass player's dead and no one's talking. When the lead singer of a local punk group turns up dead at the infamous night club known as The Rat, it looks like a clear-cut case of band envy. Boston reporter, Ali Loukas, isn’t so sure. Something smells off and with the help of her boyfriend and homicide detective, Ryan McGuire, Ali sets out to sniff out the real killer . . . or killers. It's 1997 and The Rat is slowly dying. Underground violence and cutthroat competition have become the norm, but Vinny G.'s death threatens to close the curtains. Can Ali help find the killer and save the club or will she end up six feet under?  Martha by Phillipa Nefri Clark 1972. It is four years since Martha Ryan’s world crashed around her. Fleeing to England to study teaching, she had left everything behind. Her beloved seaside town of River’s End, her big sister, Dorothy, and the one man she loves beyond reason. After the untimely death of her father, she finds a new home in Ireland. There, she buys a cottage, embarking on a career as a teacher in the small town, and travelling during every long school holiday. She finds friendships, relationships, and adventures. But dreams haunt her. Deep down, she longs for her home town in Australia, and to see Dorothy. Will a life well lived be enough, or is one letter the turning point to risk everything she’s come to love?  Check out these new releases from authors involved with American Christian Fiction Writers. You're sure to find a new favorite! Contemporary Romance:
When Love Won’t Wait by Roger E. Bruner — Laugh at Pastor Dan’s impulsive efforts to get out of the ministry and marry a woman of his own choosing by going against his domineering widowed mother’s wishes. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published) A Perfect Amish Match by Vannetta Chapman — After three failed relationships, Amish bachelor Noah Graber would rather disappoint his parents than try again. But when matchmaker Olivia Mae Miller agrees to provide courting lessons, Noah’s perfect match becomes clear—it’s Olivia Mae herself! With ailing grandparents at home, she hadn’t planned on love or marriage. Might a future with Noah be everything she’s been missing? (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin]) Sing a New Song by Candee Fick — Songbird Gloria Houghton has always needed to be the center of attention, but the spotlight has shifted. Seeking fame and a fresh start, she finds a new stage in Branson, Missouri…only to risk being replaced by a manipulative rival. If Gloria can’t be the star, who is she? Jack-of-all-trades Nick Sherwood is just one leaf on a vast family tree that includes a restaurant chef, hotel owners, and even the headline act at a family-owned theater. He’s seen how fame can blind a person with jealousy and is more than content to stay in the background thank you very much. If only he wasn’t so fascinated–and irritated–by the newest addition to the staff. After a disaster of a first impression and financial difficulties land Gloria in the humblest of jobs—with Nick as her boss—it might be time for her to learn to sing a new song. (Contemporary Romance from Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas) Pigtails and a Tool Belt by Janetta Fudge-Messmer — The Christian Romance where circumstances seem impossible. But with God – all things are possible. (Contemporary Romance from Winged Publications) Wooing Cadie McCaffrey by Bethany Turner — After four years of dating Will, Cadie questions his love for her and sends him packing. Their breakup only makes Will more determined to become the man Cadie wants him to be. With the help of his work buddies and tactics drawn from Cadie’s favorite romantic comedies, he devises a “foolproof” plan. What could possibly go wrong? (Contemporary Romance from Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing) General Contemporary: Over the Waters by Deborah Raney — As “Dr. Botox” to the bored rich women of Chicago, plastic surgeon Max Jordan was shocked by the decision of his son, Joshua, to focus his medical talent on Haitian orphans. Embittered by Joshua’s death, Max searches for resolution in the very place his son called home. The selfless labor of Joshua’s coworkers stuns Max. He is particularly taken by American volunteer Valerie Austin, whose dream of a honeymoon on a tropical beach were crushed, replaced by a stint working in the impoverished orphanage. But Valerie’s view of Joshua’s sacrifice challenges everything Max has lived for. Now Max wonders if he can ever return to his “Max-a-Million” lifestyle, or if the doors to his gilded cage have finally opened. (General Contemporary from Raney Day Press) Historical: True Freedom by Carol Ashby — When a Roman slave rescues his master’s daughter from the kidnapping arranged by her own brother, will his sacrificial service earn the freedom and love he never dreamed possible, or will it only end in death? (Historical from Cerrillo Press) Historical Romance: The Daughter’s Predicament by Mary Eileen Davis — Can a patient love win her heart? As Isabelle Atwood’s romance prospects are turning in her favor, a family scandal derails her dreams. While making a quilt for her own hope chest, Isabelle’s half-sister becomes pregnant out of wedlock and Isabelle–always the unfavored daughter–becomes the family sacrifice to save face. Isabelle loves her sister, but with three suitors interested, will she really allow herself to be manipulated into a marriage without love? Or will the man leaving her secret love poems sweep her off her feet? (Historical Romance from Mountain Brook Ink) Mail-Order Mishaps by Susan Page Davis, Linda Ford, Vickie McDonough, and Erica Vetsch — In The Bride’s Dilemma by Susan Page Davis, Eve Martin arrives in Cheyenne to learn that man she came to marry is in jail, accused of a violent murder. But has God brought her here to help save Caleb Blair’s life? In Romancing the Rancher by Linda Ford, Amelia expects a safe home for herself and her niece in Montana as mail-order bride to Zach Taggerty. Only Zach has never heard of her. In The Marriage Sham by Vickie McDonough, Texas mail-order bride Zola Bryant is a widowed newlywed. Worse, they were never truly wed because the officiant was an outlaw not a preacher. What will she do now that her life and reputation are in tatters? In The Galway Girl by Erica Vetsch, a mail-order mix-up sends Irish lass Maeve O’Reilly to the Swedish community of Lindsborg, Kansas. Will Kaspar Sandberg consider it a happy accident or a disaster to be rectified as soon as possible? (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing) Lord of Her Heart by Sherrinda Ketchersid — Lady Jocelyn Ashburne suspects something is amiss at her family’s castle because her father ceases to write to her. When she overhears a plot to force her into vows—either to the church or a husband—she disguises herself and flees the convent in desperation to discover the truth. Malcolm Castillon of Berkham is determined to win the next tournament and be granted a manor of his own. After years of proving his worth on the jousting field, he yearns for a life of peace. Rescuing a scrawny lad who turns out to be a beautiful woman is not what he bargained for. Still, he cannot deny that she stirs his heart like no other, in spite of her conniving ways. Chaos, deception, and treachery threaten their goals, but both are determined to succeed. Learning to trust each other might be the only way either of them survives. (Historical Romance from Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas) Love’s Belief by Linda Shenton Matchett — When the Third Reich implements mandates that require Jewish babies and other “undesirables” to be killed as part of The Final Solution, is midewife Pia Hertz’s new faith in Christ strong enough to defy the laws of man? Dieter Fertig is relieved he’s no longer part of Hitler’s army, despite the reason–a battle that cost his arm. After he returns to Berlin, only to discover the Nuremburg Laws require his best friend’s baby girl to be killed, he must find a way to spirit the child out of Germany before the Nazis discover her existence. (Historical Romance from Shortwave Press) Shelter Bay by Pamela S. Meyers — Adventurous bicyclist Maureen Quinn and her best friend, Preston Stevens, a member of the U.S. Life Saving Service, find love and face life-altering events on the shores of Lake Michigan. (Historical Romance from Mantle Rock Publishing) Mystery: Fallen Leaf by Julie B. Cosgrove — When a DNA kit reveals blond, blue-eyed Jessica Warren is half Cherokee, she confronts her adoptive parents and learns her birth father is in prison…for murder! Now he wants her help in exonerating him. Can Jessica trust the handsome, young Tulsa district attorney to help, or does he have an agenda of his own? (Cozy Mystery from Write Integrity Press) Bitter Pill by Richard L. Mabry, MD — Things were going along just fine until the miracle fouled them up. (Medical Mystery, Independently Published) Latter-day Cipher by Latayne C. Scott — Kirsten Young, a well-known and rebellious Utah heiress, is found murdered in Provo Canyon. The strange markings carved into her flesh and the note written in 19th century code seem to cast a shadow on ancient Mormon laws. Journalist Selonnah Zee is assigned to cover the story– and it quickly grows out of control. (Historical Mystery from Moody) Romantic Suspense: Running Target by Elizabeth Goddard — A routine patrol turns deadly when marine deputy Bree Carrington’s boat is sunk by men carrying illegal weapons. Fleeing a barrage of bullets, she’s suddenly rescued by DEA agent Quinn Strand—her ex-boyfriend. Quinn’s return threatens more than Bree’s heart…because he’s the one the men are really after. As criminals hunt her to get to him, can Quinn and Bree take down a drug ring? (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin]) Speculative: The Pages of Her Life by James L. Rubart — Allison Moore’s dad was living a secret life and left her mom in massive debt. As she scrambles to help her mom find a way out, she’s given a journal, anonymously, during a visit to her favorite coffee shop. The pressure to rescue her mom mounts, and Allison pours her fears and heartache into the journal. But then the unexplainable happens. The words in the journal, her words, begin to disappear. And new ones fill the empty spaces—words that force her to look at everything she knows about herself in a new light. Ignoring those words could cost her everything…but so could embracing them. (Speculative from HarperCollins Christian Publishing)
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 I've been crocheting a little again. My son absolutely loves the Veggie Tales right now, and he asked if I'd crochet him a Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber. It was fun creating these guys without a pattern. I was happy with how they turned out. My son was thrilled with them!  My son's teacher is expecting a baby this month. I wanted to make her something and had been dying to try this super soft yarn I'd seen. The teddy bear lovey was a joy to make and ended up so cuddly!
After creating it, our son wanted one just like it for himself (he collects all kinds of stuffed animals). So I made him one, and I'm in the process of making another in a different color for my daughter. They have been fun projects!  Start off your spring with a selection of new books! You'll find a nice variety of new releases here. All are clean, sweet, inspirational, or a combination of the above. As always, be sure to read the descriptions before purchasing! March 30th  The Princess Who Forgot She Was Beautiful by William David Ellis Harry Ferguson has a problem. Dragons have blown into his sleepy East Texas town. And it’s all his fault. Now here’s what happened… A medieval peasant boy Harry Ferguson, along with the love of his life, Princess Sarah, is thrown through time and spat out a thousand years into the future. He lands in a small town in rural Texas. But that’s just the beginning of his troubles. Not only are Harry and Sarah far from when they were, Harry is now an old man. Perhaps even worse, Sarah has become a six-year-old girl with no memory of their past, and the dragon that has vowed to kill him has followed them down through time and wants Sarah as his bride. One thing is for certain, Moab, Texas, will never be the same again. The Princess Who Forgot She Was Beautiful is a spellbinding tale full of twists and turns, tears and laughter. From time-travel to a hidden princess and a demonized dragon, each page pulls the reader ever further into this heroic tale. This is the first book of Ellis’s Harry Ferguson Chronicles. If you like love stories, shape-shifting dragons, men with integrity, and women who will fight beside and for their men, you are going to love this series. April 1st  Second Chance with the Billionaire by Remi Carrington Amy still regrets her failed engagement, especially because she’s to blame for it falling apart. Focusing on her teaching career, she hopes to one day meet someone who will make her forget her ex. After adopting his orphaned nieces, Milo has spent the last three years trying to be the best dad possible. When he walks his five-year-old into her first day of kindergarten and discovers his ex is the teacher, he feels the sting of rejection all over again. Amy wants a second-chance. Milo never wants to see her again, but his little girl loves her teacher—and just maybe, he does, too.  The Ranger's Hope by Bree Livingston When a stubborn therapist meets an Army Ranger who has given up, it’s a battle of wills—and a growing attraction. Counselor Kennedy Crenshaw loves her new job as director of Rescues for Vets. Not only does she get to help returning veterans, but she also finds homes for shelter dogs. It's the best of both worlds and it’s one she's not willing to give up when her gambling-addicted ex-husband returns with trouble in tow. Ryder Whitlock's been hiding his problems since he returned to the States, but lately, his ability to smile on the outside is faltering. When he's forced to confront his past and the crushing guilt he's held onto, he finds himself face to face with an infuriating—and intriguing—counselor who won't take no for an answer. As he spends time with Kennedy, he finds a sliver of hope--but when her ex-husband returns, it's Ryder’s turn to rescue her.  The Little Pink Elephant by Shannon L. Mokry The little pInk elephant loved to sing and dance. She is jubilant and boisterous. "Hush, be still" she was often told. She would try, but the joy would burst forth. She would sing and dance once more. "Join me!" she invited instead. Would they? Could They? The Little Pink Elephant is a little different from the other elephants. This story encourages children to shine their brightest and not let other's steal their joy. The little pink elephant knows that its not about outshining anyone else, its about spreading joy to others. April 3rd  Immediately Wanted: Fiancee by Jo Noelle He’s locked out of important business opportunities. She’s determined to land the internship in his corporation. A workplace romance isn’t on either of their bucket lists. Easton Winslow has been checking off her goals. Undergrad from Brown University. Check. MBA from Yale. Check. Her next goal is an internship at a Fortune 500 Company. She’s hardly given five minutes at the interview with Systems Aware, and she learns that Mr. Preston is more interested in hiring a mini-me than taking her interview seriously. However, she has connections he wants—and she’s willing to make a trade. CEO, Royce Preston has recently opened a new office for his successful internet security firm. As “new money,” his opportunity to associate with the influential business owners in the region has been nonexistent. So when Easton offers him the introductions he needs, he has to take the deal, but he doesn't have to like it—or her. What neither of them wanted out of the deal was falling in love. April 4th  Falling for the Younger Cowboy by Liwen Y. Ho Two best friends. One secret chili recipe. The truth comes out when their fake relationship cooks up more feelings than they expected. On the cusp of turning forty, Lexi Turner is finally single and happy. She has the perfect job working at Sage Valley Ranch and spends her free time hanging out with her best friend, James. Life is peaceful and carefree until her ex pays an unexpected visit to the ranch … with his new, much younger girlfriend in tow. Head cook James Scott is ready to settle down now that he’s thirty. He’s been smitten with the gift shop manager since she started working at the ranch a year ago, but he’s been biding his time, waiting for the perfect opportunity to tell her how he feels. When Lexi asks him to be her pretend boyfriend to prove to her ex that she’s moved on, he jumps at the chance to show her love still exists. The lines of friendship blur as Lexi and James play out their real emotions in their fake relationship.  Discord in Provence by Meredith Deichler Aubrye thought traveling through France and Italy as part of a guided tour would be a stress-free way to see the important sights and make some new friends. However, as they depart Paris and begin the second part of the tour, Aubrye is anything but calm. Her boyfriend Greg and she are having their biggest disagreements ever, differences in their personalities amplified by the traveling conditions. Her trip roommate and cousin Quinn may be having her own relationship troubles. And back home, Aubrye's family is facing a life-altering decision. As the tour group heads down to a simpler pace of life in southern France, Aubrye fights to find peace among the worries tearing at her but fears this trip will be a breaking point. April 5th  The Ranger's Purpose by Heidi Peltier Texas Ranger Erick Carlton is tough, intimidating, unyielding, but two gunshots to the shoulder can render a man useless. He’s got outlaws to track down and can’t afford time to heal, but these injuries have knocked him flat. It doesn’t hurt that the nurse tending him is a beautiful young woman, and taking time to recover might not be so bad, if only the damage from the gunshots wasn’t so life-altering. Mahala Peters doesn’t want to be anywhere near this stranger, or any man for that matter. Since a terrifying attack three years ago, she’s been in hiding and would like nothing more than for Erick Carlton to pack up and head out. But as his wounds heal, so does her heart. She knows she shouldn’t get attached. The man is on a mission, after all, bound to leave as soon as he’s healed. Only now, does she really want him to go? With lingering complications from his wound and the draw of a woman he can’t provide for, can this Ranger find his true purpose? April 6th  No Longer Flighty Fanny by Jessica Spencer Violated at fifteen, seduced at sixteen. A runaway marriage and a swift annulment. Fanny’s life is over even before it could begin. As a young girl, Fanny finds escape from her unstable home by roaming in the woods and riding her mare. Free and innocent of guile, she is easy prey for a blackguard. Three years later, she attends the Season where she meets Andrew, Earl of Nethercote. It is love at first sight for both of them. Fanny’s nemesis, the man who had ruined her, is also in London. Furious at her refusal to yield to him, he uses his power to vilify her. Fanny loses her reputation - and Andrew’s love. She returns home and her father forces her into a repugnant marriage. Andrew leaves England and throws himself into the shipping business. Unable to forget Fanny, he comes back when she is widowed and tries his utmost to win her back. Can Fanny forgive him for leaving her? And what of the anonymous letters that threaten to destroy her if she accepts Andrew? April 9th  Lawfully Cherished by Liwen Y. Ho She’s a piano teacher who will stop at nothing to help her students. He’s a retired cop who will give his all to pay back a debt. A marriage of convenience offers them a chance to redeem the past and heal their future. The last thing Natasha Livingston expects to find on her doorstep is a threatening letter. As a precaution, her billionaire uncle insists on hiring a bodyguard for her—a hunk of a man who happens to be her ex-boyfriend. Now, not only is her life at risk, but her heart as well, especially when their business arrangement takes a personal turn. Guilt drove Victor Price to leave the police force and his old girlfriend behind years ago. With a stalker on the loose, he has no choice but to step in and protect her. It’s a small price to pay when her brother, his old partner, gave up his life to save his. What he didn’t plan on was marrying the woman who still has a hold on his heart. It’s only a matter of time before danger catches up with them or they end up falling in love again. April 10th  Just Before Dawn by Jessica Marie Holt When Jesse married his beloved wife Grace, he vowed to do anything in his power to give her a happy life. When tragedy strikes, that promise is severely tested. Will Jesse's love and determination be enough to save them? Or will their marriage crumble under forces beyond their control? Set in 1870 in rural North Carolina, this is a timeless story about the joys and heartaches that come with facing life's trials together, and the hope, perseverance, and selfless love that sustains every happily ever after. April 16th  Encircled - An Ever Afters Anthology by Laurie Lucking and Various Experience six of the world's most beloved stories in a whole new light! From historical to futuristic, these retellings will take you to an enchanted forest, a cursed castle, and far beyond. Uncover secrets of a forbidden basement, a hypnotic gift, and a mysterious doll. Fall in love with a lifelong friend or brand-new crush. Venture to unknown lands on a quest to save a prince, a kingdom, or maybe even a planet. With moments of humor, suspense, romance, and adventure, Encircled has something to offer every fan of fairy tales, both classic and reimagined. This anthology features stories from S.E. Clancy, Jebraun Clifford, J.M. Hackman, E.J. Kitchens, Laurie Lucking, and Tori V. Rainn. April 18th  Wrangled by the Watchful Cowboy by Tamie Dearen His best friend’s little sister may be off limits, but she's the only thing on his mind! Cord can’t believe his eyes. The gorgeous woman he just met doesn’t look anything like the gawky thirteen-year-old he remembers hanging around at his best friend’s house. Hoping to impress her, Cord finds himself volunteering to ride a bull in the rodeo. Has Jessica stolen his good sense along with his sanity? When his best friend asks him to keep all the cowboys away from Jessica, Cord agrees to be her secret guard. But who will protect her from him? Who does Jessica Powell run into at Sage Valley Ranch, but Cord Dennison, her secret crush since she was in seventh grade. But after her last bad relationship, she’s sworn off dating until she finishes her degree. She refuses to think about Cord and his piercing blue eyes. That is, until he rescues her from an awkward situation with an impromptu kiss that curls her toes and sends tingles down her spine. Jessica tries not to fall for Cord, knowing he’ll soon return to New York City, while her mind is set on coming home to teach in Sage Valley. And when Cord finds Jessica in the arms of her ex-fiancé, he realizes he was too late to admit his growing feelings for her. If only they’d both known about the terrible bull riding accident to come…  What Makes a Home by Jaycee Weaver An artist who’s never truly known home. A bored computer guy with a fixer-upper. While opposites attract, too much stands in the way. Will they ever figure out what truly makes a home? Jobie Everett is building a life around teaching art to senior citizens, a boutique job to fund her passion, living green(ish), social media, and wild pursuits that inspire her Muse. When her roommate introduces her to a God who personifies Love like she’s never known, she begins to see the shallowness of her life and searches for greater meaning. Surely there's more for Caleb March's lackluster life than work and his computer hobbies. Desperate for change, he buys a run-down house near an old friend and her pretty roommate. Ready for more than "just friends," Caleb will first have to reconnect with a God he's been ignoring for too long. As Caleb and Jobie bond over renovations, a new development forever changes her and pulls the rug out from under him. Jobie needs a godly man who will support and pursue her. Caleb must break himself free of the friend zone and become the man she needs in order to finally give her heart a home. April 26th  Rock of Ages by Faith Blum All he wanted was his father’s approval Chileab was born to privilege as the second-born of King David, but he still feels like an outcast. His crooked foot make it hard for him to do anything and although he enjoys being an advisor for his abba, he never feels like King David approves of him. Born with unnaturally light hair, Rina loves helping her mother heal people around their small village. One day, her life is turned upside down when she is kidnapped by two Amalekites bent on using her for her healing powers and unusual hair to make them rich. When Chileab hears of the little girl who had been kidnapped, he goes off to find her, even though five years have passed. He makes his way into the desert by himself. Can he find Rina? Will he learn that Adonai’s approval is all he needs? Will he learn to rely on more than just himself? April 30th  The Cowboy's Romantic Dreamer by Valerie Comer Opposites attract in this romance with a grumpy cowboy burned by love and a bubbly romance editor with (almost) all the answers! Burned by love, Trevor Delgado has pushed aside all his personal dreams in favor of expanding his family’s ranching empire in western Montana. That’s what any hardworking, dependable firstborn son should do, right? He’s not lonely, just solitary. All he needs is a saddle beneath him, the mountain breeze on his face... and no time to think. Editing hundreds of romance novels has made Denae Archibald an expert on love. She knows how it's supposed to go... and tall, dark and mysterious Trevor Delgado is exactly her kind of hero. If only her issues weren’t enough to send any worthy cowboy galloping for the range. How can the romantic dreamer and the guarded cowboy kindle their hopes for a future together?  Snow Globe Travelers by K.A. Cummins Transported into another world, an Austrian girl must face a genetically-engineered warrior with an army of vicious hybrids. Twelve-year-old Sarah Ann Reisende’s father left before her third birthday. She longs to find him, but she never expected the path would lead her across the galaxy and force her to confront her deepest fears. In a darkened alleyway in the heart of Vienna, Sarah wanders into a mysterious shop where each snow globe opens a portal to another world. By mistake, she breaks the globe tethered to Earth. As she searches the shop for answers, she discovers a cryptic note on the back of an old photograph that indicates a link between her father and one of the other worlds. Unable to return to home, Sarah follows the lead into the world of Elohi. But an invading military force of vicious hybrids led by a genetically-engineered warrior named Malvine now rules the once peaceful planet. Malvine is also one of the figures in the old photograph linked to her father. Sarah’s presence does not go unnoticed, and she becomes a target. Malvine wants to use the shop’s connections to wage war. Can Sarah uncover the truth and find a way home before Malvine gains control of the shop?  Check out these new releases from authors involved with American Christian Fiction Writers. You're sure to find a new favorite! Children’s:
The Heart Changer by Jarm Del Boccio — Miriam is asked to do the impossible: serve the wife of Naaman, commander of the Syrian army. Clinging to treasured memories of home and faith, Miriam faces captivity with bitterness. Little does she know the Heart Changer is preparing her for a greater mission — far beyond what she could imagine. (Children’s from Ambassador International) Contemporary Romance: Faith and Hope by Amy R. Anguish — Younger sister Hope has lost her job, her car, and her boyfriend all in one day. Her well-laid plans for life have gone sideways, as has her hope in God. Older sister Faith is finally getting her dream-come-true after years of struggles and prayers. But when her mom talks her into letting Hope move in for the summer, will the stress turn her dream into a nightmare? Is her faith in God strong enough to handle everything? For two sisters who haven’t gotten along in years, this summer together could be a disaster…or it could lead them to a closer relationship with each other and God. Can they overcome all life is throwing at them? Or is this going to destroy their relationship for good? (Contemporary Romance from Mantle Rock Publishing) Match Made in Heaven by Julie Arduini — Beth Prescott wants to make a difference with the senior citizens she serves as a volunteer coordinator, but their matchmaking efforts leave her guarded. She’s experienced too much pain to make that leap again. Dean Kellerman returns to the Finger Lakes area to help his grandfather and heal his own broken heart. He’s recommitted his life to Christ, and doesn’t want any distractions. When his grandfather needs assistance with a senior program, it places Dean right in Beth’s path. Can these two surrender their pasts to Christ and have faith in each other and their future? (Contemporary Romance from Surrendered Scribe Media) An Amish Reunion by Amy Clipston, Kathleen Fuller, Kathleen Irvin, and Beth Wiseman — Their True Home by Amy Clipston: Marlene Bawell’s new friendship with an old crush is threatened when change once again disrupts the home she’s tried to make in Bird-in-Hand. A Reunion of Hearts by Beth Wiseman: Separated after tragic grief, husband and wife Ruth and Gideon Beiler are reunited when they accept an invitation to a family reunion they each believe the other has declined. A Chance to Remember by Kathleen Fuller: Cevilla Schlabach, Birch Creek’s resident octogenarian matchmaker, is surprised when Richard, a man from her Englisch past, arrives in Birch Creek for a visit. While he and Cevilla take several walks down memory lane, they wonder what the future holds for them at this stage of life—friendship, or the possibility of something else? Mended Hearts by Kelly Irvin: Abandoned by her father, penitent single mother Hannah Kauffman finds support in her old friend Phillip, who has loved her for years, but fears risking another mistake by opening herself up to love. (Contemporary Romance from HarperCollins Christian Publishing [Thomas Nelson and Zondervan]) Her New Amish Family by Carrie Lighte — Widower Seth Helmuth needs a mother for his sons, but for now, hiring the Englischer next door as their nanny will have to do. Trina Smith plans to stay in Amish country only long enough to claim her inheritance and sell her grandfather’s house. But as she falls for Seth, his twin boys and Amish life, will she inherit a home and a family? (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin]) Beauty for Ashes by Kathleen Neely — Well-known novelist Nathan Drummond revisits painful memories when family responsibilities force him to return to his home town. Although he’d intended the living situation to be temporary, Nathan didn’t count on falling in love. As guilty memories threaten a return of panic attacks, Nathan begins to write a novel paralleling the tragic event from his youthful folly. Will the novel be seen as a work of fiction, or will it expose his secret? (Contemporary Romance from Harbourlight Books [Pelican]) Restoring Her Faith by Jennifer Slattery — An artist fighting to save her career must find a way to work with the handsome yet stubborn cowboy overseeing a church restoration project–without falling for his southern charm. (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin]) Sweet On You by Becky Wade — Britt Bradford and Zander Ford have been the best of friends since they met thirteen years ago. Unbeknown to Britt, Zander has been in love with her for just as long. As they work together to investigate Zander’s uncle’s mysterious death, will the truth of what lies between them also, finally, come to light? (Contemporary Romance from Bethany House [Baker]) General Contemporary: The Edge of Mercy by Heidi Chiavaroli — A dying request from an elderly neighbor forces a woman in a troubled marriage to find the 300-year-old story of a young colonial woman—one forced into an unwanted betrothal but drawn to a man forbidden to her by society. (General Contemporary from Hope Creek Publishers) All My Tears by Kathy McKinsey — Meet five women who struggle with life’s deep sorrows. Beth fights to recover from alcoholism and to mend her relationships with her family. Ann doesn’t believe God will forgive her. Kathleen wrestles with a years-old fear and with saving her marriage. Cassie needs to learn to deal with chronic depression. Martie finds herself the single parent of the eight-year-old niece she barely knows when the child’s parents die in a car wreck. See how God gives them the gifts of hope, healing, and love. (General Contemporary from Mantle Rock Publishers) Historical: The Refuge by Ann H Gabhart — Can Darcie Goodwin find love and a way to keep her baby in a community that doesn’t believe in marriage or individual family units? (Historical from Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group) Historical Romance: The Artful Match by Jennifer Delamere — At loose ends in London after a near-tragedy, Cara Bernay finds herself at odds with the Earl of Morestowe after she befriends his brother, a talented but troubled young artist. Soon she finds herself drawn to the earl as she becomes more involved with his family. Like Cara, they are suffering from unresolved mistakes in their past. Can they form an unlikely alliance and find a way to a new beginning? (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker]) The Golden Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse — Olivia Brighton finds herself widowed and working her brother’s restaurant in San Francisco during the height of the 1849 Gold Rush. Even though she receives at least twenty marriage proposals a day, she will never marry a gold miner. Her brother’s friend Joseph Sawyer has gotten caught up in local politics and the plight of Chinese in forced labor. The more Joseph gets pulled into investigating crime in the city, the less Olivia sees of the compassionate man. And just when she thinks she could love again, a fire threatens to steal all hope. (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing) Romantic Suspense: Justice Delivered by Patricia Bradley — An escaped victim of sex trafficking must find the courage to report her captors to the authorities—some of whom could be corrupt—when her niece is kidnapped by the ringleader. (Romantic Suspense from Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group) You Shouldn’t Have by Susan Page Davis — “I SAW MY NEIGHBOR MURDER HIS WIFE!” But the police don’t believe Petra Wilson. There’s no body, no evidence, no murder. But Petra knows what she saw. And now her dangerous neighbor knows it, too. Her sisters introduce her to private investigator Joe Tarleton. Petra tells Joe her story, expecting him to decide there is no case. But the dedicated P.I. accepts her word, and he vows to uncover the truth. Still, he can’t guard Petra twenty-four hours a day. In spite of her precautions, her neighbor makes inroads in her vulnerability. Petra is left open to a killer intent on silencing the only living witness. (Romantic Suspense from Tea Tin Press) Beauty in Battle by Robin Patchen — Harper doesn’t want to return to Maryland to face the police. The mess she left behind makes her look guilty of the worst, but it’s too late to run again. Red is safe and the authorities are waiting. At least Jack is by her side. Now that Jack knows the truth, his feelings for Harper are deeper than ever. He’s not about to leave her side, especially knowing a killer is after her. But Derrick is on their trail, and he’s come unhinged. And he may not be the biggest threat lurking. (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published [ACFW QIP]) Speculative: Flight of the Raven by Morgan L. Busse — Selene Ravenwood, once the heir to House Ravenwood, is now an exile. On the run and free of her family’s destiny, Selene hopes to find the real reason her family was given the gift of dreamwalking. But first she must adapt to her new role as wife to Lord Damien Maris, the man she was originally assigned to kill. While adjusting to her marriage and her home in the north, her power over dreams begins to grow. As the strongest dreamwalker to exist in ages, her expanding power attracts not only nightmares but the attention of the Dark Lady herself. With a war looming on the horizon and a wicked being after her gift, Selene is faced with a choice: accept the Dark Lady’s offer or search out the one who gave her the gift of dreamwalking. One path offers power, the other freedom. But time is running out, and if she doesn’t choose soon, her decision will be made for her. (Speculative Fantasy from Bethany House [Baker]) Snow Globe Travelers: Samuel’s Legacy by K.A. Cummins — Transported into another world, an Austrian girl must face a genetically-engineered warrior with an army of vicious hybrids. (Hard Science Fiction (for Children), Independently Published) The Baggage Handler by David Rawlings — A hothead businessman coming to the city for a showdown meeting to save his job. A mother of three hoping to survive the days at her sister’s house before her niece’s wedding. And a young artist pursuing his father’s dream so he can keep his own alive. When David, Gillian, and Michael each take the wrong suitcases from baggage claim, the airline directs them to retrieve their bags at a mysterious facility in a deserted part of the city. There they meet the enigmatic Baggage Handler, who shows them there is more in their baggage than what they have packed, and carrying it with them is slowing them down in ways they can’t imagine. And they must deal with it before they can leave. (Speculative Allegory from HarperCollins Christian Publishing [Thomas Nelson and Zondervan])
Please join me in welcoming USA Today bestselling author Shanna Hatfield as she shares her sweet and funny romance, Love at the 20-Yard Line. I read this book a couple of years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. I hope you'll pick up your copy for only 99-cents!
He's about to fumble his chance at love...
Brody Jackson lives and breathes football. As a wide receiver for a popular arena team, he's determined to make it back to the NFL. Cocky and confident, he doesn't have the time or energy to be bothered with a serious relationship. When a sweet, naive girl breaks through his defenses, he has to decide if he'll let go of his dreams or fumble his chance to win Haven's heart.
Haven Haggarty is woefully inept when it comes to men and matters of the heart. Successful in her job as an image consultant with an up-and-coming company, she wishes she could enjoy as much triumph in her dating efforts. When she falls hard for a handsome wide receiver, Haven realizes she needs to tackle her fears or miss the opportunity to experience once-in-a-lifetime love. 
USA Today Bestselling Author Shanna Hatfield writes character-driven romances with relatable heroes and heroines. Her historical westerns have been described as “reminiscent of the era captured by Bonanza and The Virginian” while her contemporary works have been called “laugh-out-loud funny, and a little heart-pumping sexy without being explicit in any way.”
Convinced everyone deserves a happy ending, this hopeless romantic is out to make it happen one story at a time. When she isn’t writing or indulging in chocolate (dark and decadent, please), Shanna hangs out with her husband, lovingly known as Captain Cavedweller. Shanna is a member of Western Writers of America, Women Writing the West, Romance Writers of America, Sweet Romance Reads, Cowboy Kisses, and Pioneer Hearts.
Keep in touch with Shanna:
Brody took the band from her hand and dropped it on the table next to her glasses. Slowly, he threaded his fingers into her hair. It felt even better than he’d imagined and he drew closer, taking a deep breath, inhaling the sweet scent of it. When she leaned into his hand, he swallowed back a groan.
On the verge of devouring her with his growing longing, Brody gave himself a mental lecture to calm down and take things slow. He didn’t want to scare Haven half to death the first time he really kissed her. “Any more questions?” Haven smiled at Brody as he worked his hands through to the ends of her hair then wrapped a curl around one long finger. The appearance of her dimples was his undoing. Gently spanning her waist with his hands, he slid her closer then pressed his lips to each indentation in her cheeks before turning his passionate gaze to hers. “No more questions. I think we should seal this deal with a kiss.” He watched Haven’s eyes drift shut. Brody knew kissing her would be amazing. What he hadn’t anticipated was the explosion of fiery heat in every nerve ending in his body. Her lips moving beneath his set him aflame with no hope of extinguishing the blaze. In the next few seconds, Brody realized two important details. The first was that Haven touched places in his heart and soul he never even knew existed. The second was that he’d never, in his lifetime, get enough of her kisses. 
 Can you believe it's February already? I know a lot of you are dealing with some freezing weather right now. That sounds like a perfect time to curl up on the couch with a warm blanket, a cup of coffee or hot chocolate, and a good book. Check out the new releases below and fill up your Kindle! January 29th  Mother of Rebellion by B.K. Boes The breaking was only the beginning... Rebellion brews as nations struggle for power. Survival is pitted against compassion, duty against faith, and loyalties against love. The Schism, a war that raged a thousand years ago, left the continent of Leyumin broken. Near constant war and destruction define the millennium afterward, but the heavens have promised reunifcation and with it peace. Now, two nations vie for dominance and the title of Unitor. One does so through politics and manipulation, the other through brute force and self-proclaimed pure blood. Five unlikely people will shape the things to come: a slave-wife, a warrior, a guardian of history, a disciple, and a young nobleman. As they embark upon their journeys, their decisions sow the beginnings of change, and the consequences they reap prove to be more than they're prepared to handle. Meanwhile, all wait in anticipation for the Unitor to emerge as the future looms uncertain. January 31st  Staying Inn for Valentine's Day by Eliza Boyd In a small town called True Love, anything is possible. Penelope Galbraith is set to take over her parents' business, Inn True Love. She has huge plans to expand the property. The town's tourist business is booming, and they often have to turn people away at the inn - like Devon. But when he disses the town she loves, she offers him a place to stay for the night with one condition: He has to stick around for one day and let her show him around to prove how great True Love is. Devon Nichol leaves his small hometown the first chance he gets. Nothing's keeping him there anymore, and he's sure he's inherited his mother's wandering spirit. So he makes a plan to land wherever he runs out of gas. Before that happens, he stops for the night in True Love, a town tinier than the one he grew up in. All he wants to do is get back on the road, but something about Penelope's charm intrigues him and he honors the deal. When one day turns into a second, will Devon see how special True Love is - especially with Penelope at his side? February 1st  More Than My Playboy Co-Worker by Danae Little Love deserves a second chance, but Mia wonders if her renown playboy co-worker can be trusted. Mia Thompson threw herself into work after she caught her fiance cheating with his secretary. Her dad chose the liar to lead his multi-million dollar company rather than her. Making a name for herself became a must. She had no time for games which is why she hardly even noticed her playboy co-worker, Isaac. That is until she was forced to go on assignment with him-to her father's Valentine's bash of all places. Isaac quickly uncovers her situation and declares himself as her biggest supporter. In the process she realizes that he is more than the playboy he portrays himself as, and she forgets to act like the prim, focused woman he knows her as at work. Mia wonders if she can trust her playboy co-worker in order to give love a second chance.  Not Until Forever by Valerie M. Bodden She chose her career over him. He put his family before her. When they get a second chance, will they choose to put each other first? As she climbs the corporate ladder, Sophie doesn’t let herself think about what she gave up when she declined Spencer’s proposal four years ago. She’s never wanted a husband or family, and she tells herself she’s exactly where she’s supposed to be. So when she’s called home to say goodbye to her dying grandmother, she goes out of her way to avoid seeing him. Of course, that means he’s the first person she runs into. Much as she fights against it, being near him stirs up old feelings and makes her question old decisions. Leaving college to help on the family farm cost Spencer the woman he loved. But he couldn’t turn his back on his family. Now that Sophie’s back in town, Spencer’s determined to protect his heart. Only he senses something new in Sophie—something that makes him think maybe they could have a second chance. But when his family needs him again, he feels like he’s repeating the past. Only this time, he’s not sure what choice he should make. Because the more time they spend together, the more they both realize their old feelings have never disappeared. Maybe a future together is the one God had planned for them all along. But soon Sophie is called back to her job in Chicago, and Spencer has to decide what direction his future will take. Can they find the courage to make different choices this time? Or will the heartaches of the past keep them from the second chance they desire? February 8th  Not Until Valentine's by Valerie M. Bodden She’s looking for “the one.” He knows it can never be him. Unless God has other plans for them . . . Peyton has been looking for “the one” forever. She thought she’d finally met him when she started dating Jared. But when Jared told her last Valentine’s Day that he never planned to get married, she had to face the facts: maybe he wasn’t the one God intended for her after all. Now, she’s just trying to survive the annual ski trip with all her bones—and her heart—in one piece. Jared wishes he could give Peyton everything she desires. But marriage is the one thing he can never offer her. So he plans use this year’s ski trip to get over her. But that’s almost impossible when wherever he turns, he sees her spending time with another man at the ski lodge—a man Jared doesn’t trust. He promised himself long ago that he’d never again stand by and watch a woman get hurt. And he’s not about to let anything happen to the woman he still loves. When a crisis rocks the trip, both have to reexamine what they want—and who’s in control. But are their hopes for the future still too different, or can they trust that God has a plan for them? February 12th  Kiss You Now by Jan Thompson A novelist who can't write... A doctor who won't practice... A world moving on with or without them... KISS YOU NOW is Book 7 in USA Today bestselling author Jan Thompson’s Savannah Sweethearts series of sweet, clean, wholesome, and inspirational Christian romances celebrating faith, hope, and love in Jesus Christ.  Welcome to Spicetown by Sheri Richey When a crime stopper senior citizen starts to act oddly, a new business sells fake products and the New Year’s Eve fireworks display disappears, Mayor Cora Mae Bingham and the Spicetown Police Chief Conrad Harris have to get involved. Cora keeps an eye on her quaint small town nestled in the southern hills of Ohio. Although Spicetown is sprinkled with culinary street names, stores full of spices, and quaint life-long citizens, out-of-towners can bring in a dicey element. February 14th  A Hope for Samuel by Sylvia Damsell Lisa thought she loved Ray. He told her he loved her. But then he started courting another woman and Lisa married Samuel on the rebound. When Ray said he had made a mistake she asked Samuel for an annulment of their marriage which he gave her. When she subsequently discovered Ray was not what he appeared to be she finds herself alone and is determined to take control of her life. Samuel has been accepted as a detective and she applies to become one as well which takes them to New York then on to San Francisco where they are told to take a group of orphans who are to be auctioned off to families who want them. What follows involves danger, intrigue and, most of all, romance as Samuel and Lisa are once again thrown together and as they migrate towards Lone Pine.  The Miracle of Us by Elizabeth Trent Chase and Naia were high school sweethearts who planned to live happily ever after. But sometimes plans change. Chase Collins has regrets in his life. Merely existing, he walks through each day, not living the life he once planned. Fortunately for him, a second chance slams into him after seven long years. A second chance he’s unable to resist. Naia Donovan’s world was rocked with tragedy two years ago. Since that time, she’s tried to get her life back on track. In her attempts to move forward, she hadn’t planned on constant nightmares haunting her dreams. When she sees an opportunity at her high school reunion to move past the pain, she takes it, not realizing she’s still healing. As Chase and Naia work to rekindle their lost friendship, secrets are revealed threatening to end what they’ve revived, before they can find their way back to one another. Will the ghosts haunting their pasts be too much for them to overcome?  Valentine Gold by Danielle Thorne Her chances of finding a Valentine are about as good as striking gold, but an old cabin, a new neighbor, and the mountain of Good Hope just might shift the odds. When Natalie Boyd inherits an old cabin in the north Georgia mountains, she thinks it could be the answer to all of her problems. She’s ready to start over after a heart-breaking divorce, and the cabin on the banks of a river once mined for gold is the perfect hideaway for her new, reclusive life. No sooner does she settle in, and Natalie realizes that living in the shadow of Good Hope Mountain isn’t what she expected. Her new neighbor, Jonathan Wilby, has plans for his property as soon as winter’s over, and that means noise, traffic, and people. To make things worse, he’s drop-dead gorgeous and could charm the skin off a snake. Natalie braces herself to do battle over the land and to resist Wilby’s charms, but her healing heart, an incredible discovery, and unexpected friendships along the way bring a gold mine of change she never expected – and just in time for Valentine’s Day.  A Bride for Sam by Linda Ellen Rugged lumberjack and sawmill owner, Sam Maynard, enjoys a happy-go-lucky life in the 1870’s small town of Brownville, Nebraska. Seeking out a wife of his own is the farthest thing from his mind until he sees his brother, Finn, so blissfully happy with his new proxy bride, and it sparks a desire within his own soul to find a mate. The girl he might have been able to love, sadly, is already promised to someone else, so he turns down the same avenue his brother had taken—the matrimonial advertisements. After multiple replies fail to generate any interest, however, he is about to chuck the whole idea... Tired of living in an apartment all alone, Beth Ann Gilmore looks forward to having her own hearth, home, husband, and children, but when she finds herself unexpectedly jilted by Stanley, her longtime beau, all her dreams go up in smoke. Refusing to rest on her laurels, she ponders the fact that her best friend, Charise, found happiness through mail-order-bride notices—so why couldn’t she? For good measure, she visits a local marriage broker as well. Soon, however, circumstances take a drastic turn and in fear for her life, she wires her friends in Nebraska for help. The return telegram contains a shocking idea. Can she go through with it? Should she? Could a man she only met once be her salvation...in more ways than one? February 15th  Raindrops on Radishes by Valerie Comer She pictures a relaxing oasis. He sees food for the less fortunate. They both claim the same backyard. Family lawyer Sadie Guthrie snaps up a heritage house with a backyard perfect for her dreams of a relaxing oasis. Now some guy is digging in her garden and thinks he has a claim to it. Too bad he doesn’t realize he’s taken on an attorney in her den. Urban farmer Peter Santoro counts on the yard next door for his veggie-growing business. When the old woman dies and the property is sold, the new owner refuses to honor the previous agreement. Peter is soon torn between his need for income and an attraction to the hard-hitting, curvy lawyer, but is his interest for all the wrong reasons? What’s a guy to do when his arch enemy invites him to be her plus-one at a fundraiser for his favorite charity? February 19th  Phoenix Element Collection Books 1-3 by Jennifer Kibble Anya has discovered that she could use magic and she wasn't alone. In more ways than one. Attached to her soul was a Rayasha, a being from another plane of existence. A new comer, Kyle, knew more than he was letting on, especially a way to stop Ashima. Would he risk an innocent life just to keep the galaxy safe? Phoenix Element Collection is compiled of the first three books in the Phoenix Element series: Normality Twisted, Mages of Vane, and Reality Break. Normality Twisted: Could an entity from another plane of existence be inhabiting a teenage girl? The lines between good and evil are blurred when one wants to be freed. JB must discover who she once was and learn how to control her new founded magical abilities. Mages of Vane: Mages of Vane takes place at a magic school where our hero, Anya, is taking classes more or less against her will. In order to protect her friends and family, Anya sought out the mages of Vane to free her body from a powerful, and corrupt entity. The entity known as Ashima isn’t the only being corrupt at Vane. Soon Anya must battle Blood Mages, and her own conflictive thoughts in order to keep the school from crumbling down. The mages of Vane must protect their home and school from The Order of Blood and their hidden leader. If Vane falls, other worlds will follow suit. Reality Break: Anya and Kasiff will be pushed to their limits in book three of the Phoenix Element book series. In Reality Break, morals will be tested as the team search out a means to stop a powerful alien from another plain of existence. Ashima thinks herself as a God. She is willing to prove her might by trying to rip reality into pieces. Anya must locate an ancient relic that will hopefully put a stop to Ashima. With her sight set on Earth, time is running out. February 20th  The Judge's Daughter by Nerys Leigh They’re a world apart. Is love enough to keep them together? After being a widower for almost half his life, fifty-one-year-old George Parsons didn’t count on ever falling for a woman again, until Millicent came along. After meeting her in his tiny home town of Green Hill Creek, he’s smitten. So when Millie asks him to visit her in New York, he doesn’t hesitate to make the week-long journey from California to see her again. But what was easy in Green Hill Creek seems next to impossible in the city, and in the midst of the ostentatious wealth and desperate poverty of 1870 New York, George will have to overcome snobbery, prejudice and danger to win Millie’s heart. Not to mention the greatest obstacle to their romance – Millie’s hostile father. February 21st  A Little Bit Engaged by Melissa McClone One little public scandal—and now they’re engaged…sort of. When Cara O’Neal finds herself dragged into a PR nightmare with A-list actor—and former crush—Brody Simmons, a pretend engagement seems to be the only way to stop the madness. But she’s not an actress, and faking anything with Brody has epic failure written all over it. It’ll take nothing short of an Oscar-worthy performance to survive with her heart intact. Brody enjoys playing the role of Cara’s adoring fiancé way more than he should. Acting like he’s in love with the pretty bookworm isn’t exactly a chore. She’s always been a good friend, but he can imagine her as more, which complicates their charade. When the lines between make-believe and reality blur, can Cara and Brody turn their fake relationship into a true happily ever after? February 26th  A Heart Redirected by Elizabeth Maddrey She had her life mapped out. Then everything crashed and burned. Larissa Carey’s fiancé left her waiting at the altar. So she dubbed the wedding reception a “near-miss” party, and tried not to dwell on the one thing being jilted made clear: she was unlovable. Determined to move on, Larissa redirected her focus to the dreams she’d had when she was single. Sean Fitzgerald had never even been tempted to break Wedding Planner Rule #1: Don’t fall in love with the bride…until Larissa. When her jerk of an ex-fiancé steps out of her life, Sean craves a chance to be her forever love, not just her rebound guy, but is it too soon? Before he can make his move, she leaves the country to pursue her dreams. How can he convince her she’s totally worthy of love when she’s so far away? February 28th  Winter of Second Chances
by Eliza Boyd Chastity and Chase were high school sweethearts. But their marriage crumbled under pressure and Chase left town. Now that he's engaged again, he returns to True Love with one mission: To finally get a divorce. But True Love will make sure they get a second chance.  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)  Happy December! There are a number of wonderful new books out this month. I hope you'll load up your Kindle with some of these and enjoy! December 1st  The Cowboy's Mixed-Up Matchmaker by Valerie Comer Friends don’t let friends turn thirty… single. It’s been almost fourteen long years since two teens made a pact to marry each other if both remained single at thirty. But the nearer the time comes, the more Lauren Yanovich steps up her matchmaking game to let James off the hook. Not that he likely remembers. James Carmichael has been waiting forever, praying Lauren will be waiting for him. But, just when the end is in sight, she begins dating someone else, and his hopes crumble. What’s a cowboy to do when the love of his life insists they’re all wrong for each other?  The Beast's Fake Marriage by Bree Livingston A Beauty and the Beast retelling…A woman with a secret, a recluse, and a marriage of convenience. For over a year Isabeau Daniels lived in fear of a stalker. Now, with him in jail, she’s ready to start fresh in Dallas as a housekeeper for Rowan Masters—a well known lawyer and recluse. A car accident left Rowan Masters burned—both physically and emotionally. He’s spent the last twelve years hiding in his family home—and now, to keep his home he’s forced to marry. Isabeau loves the feeling of safety that Rowan’s mansion offers, and he needs a wife. When a marriage of convenience turns into something more, can they leave behind the nightmare of the past and find the beauty in loving each other?  Contracted Cowboy by Liz Isaacson A fake ad brings a cowboy to Georgia's door just in time for all the Quinn family holiday parties, so she hires Logan to be her boyfriend. Nothing can go wrong with this plan...except she might lose her heart to her newly contracted cowboy. Georgia Quinn doesn't particularly love being one of the dozens of Quinns in Quinn Valley. Her family is just so loud, you know? And she's certainly not looking forward to a holiday season full of family get-togethers when she has to do everything alone after her painful break-up months ago. When her granny mentions the holidays would be more fun with a boyfriend, Georgia seizes onto the idea and puts out an ad for someone to come fix the barn at the ranch. But what they really need to fix is her heart, and there's no one more suited for her than carpenter and cowboy Logan Locke. Logan's the quiet type, and he hasn't had a serious relationship in a long time. But he desperately needs the money, and if Georgia needs her barn finished or a date to a party, he doesn't care as long as he gets paid. Georgia and Logan pose as the perfect couple, showing her ex that she's moved on when she hasn't and his family that he can be serious about something when he never has been before. But how badly will they both crash and burn if they let their feelings become real in a relationship that is anything but? December 4th  Love in Focus by Franky A. Brown Is it possible to have a picture perfect vacation…with your ex? Struggling photographer Laura Whaley is thrilled to shoot a week-long family reunion on the beach. But getting to stay in a beach house for free isn't as exciting when she learns it's her ex-boyfriend's family. Focusing on her work is nearly impossible when it comes to taking snapshots of the man who once captured her heart. Scott Hodgkins is shocked to see Laura again, but his mother is livid. Things didn’t exactly go well the last time they were all together. Trying to convince his mother that Laura is only the photographer and nothing more, only goes so far, because he’s not sure that’s how he feels. His mother is holding the keys to his dream of starting his own business, but what if Laura still holds the key to his heart? One week on the beach can change everything, but only if they let it.  The Songs That Brought Me Back by Mylissa Demeyere Have you ever made a mistake? One so monumental you lost everything? I did, and I hate myself for it! All I want to do is close my eyes, and let the darkness consume me. Make it all go away. The end. Ainsley is drowning in the depth of her despair. One wrong decision left her alone, with only regret as her constant companion. To escape it all, she makes another choice. One she hopes will end everything. Instead, she’s thrown into a whole new world filled with opportunities she doesn’t believe she deserves. Ethan gives the appearance of breezing through life. But underneath his bright facade, he’s scarred by loss. When fate leads him into Ainsley’s world at the exact moment she needs someone the most, he can’t ignore the chance to right the wrongs of his past. Ainsley and Ethan will struggle to help each other heal and start anew. They’ll learn that the secret to conquering their pain lies within their power, if only they can do it together. Always together. Sometimes the ending is really the beginning.  Romancing the Cat Burglar by Pamela Gossiaux To do a great right, do a little wrong. A honeymoon in Paris! Except…there’s more at stake in the City of Lights than romance. Abigail’s specialty as an ancient maps librarian has brought her to a prestigious symposium at the Louvre, where she has one final chance to prove herself and save her job. Tony, a recently reformed cat burglar, is there to search for his family’s roots and learn more about his great-grandfather. Then Abigail’s wedding ring is stolen, and she and Tony put sightseeing on hold to track down the thief. The emerald ring is highly desired by thieves and collectors for its connection to a famous Italian artist, but it’s worth more to Tony and Abigail as a family heirloom and symbol of their love. As the newlyweds seek answers, the line between right and wrong blurs. With Abigail’s future in jeopardy, and Tony’s reputation following him, how far will they go to find the truth? December 6th  Of Stars and Evergreen by Jessica L. Elliott Crispin and Lumi return to Christmas Pine, this time to help Steven Morgan fall in love, and it's going to take all their magic to succeed. Steven is a shy photographer with a secret crush on Gemima Saunders, an actress at Christmas Pine's community theater. Just when Steven feels ready to make a move, his flirty older brother, Brent steps into the picture. Gemima tells herself she's too busy for romance. But her heart tells a different story as she gets to know the Morgan brothers. The question is, which one will win her over? December 7th  Wings of an Angel by Shanna Hatfield The last thing she needs is a romance . . . The first thing he intends to do is make her fall in love Veterinarian Angela Carol escaped her past and started a brand new life in the friendly community of Faraday. Her charming little boy, Nick, a thriving practice, and a comfortable home are all she needs to be happy. At least that’s what she continually tells herself. But her traitorous heart longs for Nick’s teacher, a man who’s become her best friend. With no intention of falling in love again, she struggles to keep her thoughts and heart in line where Drake is concerned. Drake Miller had plans to be the next NBA star, but when an injury left him sidelined in college, he decided to teach and return to his hometown of Faraday. There’s nothing he enjoys quite as much as shaping the minds of the first grade students in his classroom, unless it’s making Angela Carol smile. The first time he saw her, he knew he was a goner, but the widow has made it clear she has no interest in getting involved in a relationship. How can he prove to her that it’s worth taking a chance on love? The unlikely team of Nick, along with his pet sheep, Shep, and a dove named Jasper, work to spread a little romance along with holiday cheer. Will their efforts be enough to unite Drake and Angela in time for a Christmas miracle?  With Two Eyes Into Gehenna by Jane Lebak A rosary in one hand. A dagger in the other. Sister Magdalena never heard of the Catherinite nuns until the day she faced her own death sentence. Rome, 1562. It’s the era of the Index of Banned Books and the Roman Inquisition. Kings still burn heretics. The worst threats come from within the Church itself Only seventeen, Magdalena killed a priest who tried to rape her within the walls of her convent. His powerful family will see her executed, and then they’ll destroy her mother and young sister. Instead, the pope makes an offer. To save her life and protect her family, Magdalena can disappear into a secret religious order, one with a demanding physical regimen to go along with the prayers. She’ll pray the psalms and learn to climb walls. She’ll sharpen her mind and fine-tune her body. Perfected, she’ll infiltrate the Council of Trent. Magdalena’s order slips through cathedrals and palaces at the council, the Pope’s silent operatives. They act as bodyguards for the cardinals They gather intelligence. If they find heresy, the penalty is death. But when one of the pope’s own men is named a heretic, Magdalena must decide how far she’ll go to protect her church. December 10th  Crushing on the Billionaire by Liwen Y. Ho He’s a billionaire entrepreneur. She’s his high school crush. A secret she’s hiding threatens to destroy their chances of a future together. Devon Brooks has everything he could buy, except for love. When he bumps into his ex-girlfriend while on vacation, he realizes she holds the key to filling the void in his heart. He only needs to convince her it’s hers for the taking. Kylie Martin is low on cash and hope. Seeing her old boyfriend gives her a glimmer of the life she could have had, if only she had treated him better in the past. She doesn’t deserve his kindness, but she can’t help but be drawn to his charm. Second chances and stolen glances are all it takes for two former lovers to find love again. December 17th  Not Another Billionaire! by Gigi Marlowe Another billionaire? No thank you! After her last billionaire beau, Kylie Mitchell has vowed to avoid rich men from now on. But she didn’t count on falling on Scott Ryan while overseas on a business trip. When the embarrassment wears off, the attraction doesn’t, and Kylie can’t get him off her mind even after she’s back home in New York working for her ex-boyfriend boss, Alex. When Scott shows up at her office and asks her out, she can’t resist. He may be a big name in new space technology, but he is also down-to-earth, kind, and unassuming—not your typical billionaire. Kylie falls a little more every day, and just when she is certain she has made the right decision this time, she discovers that Scott has been hiding a huge, life-altering secret. Retreating with her emotions in a tangle, Kylie finds an all too familiar shoulder to cry on—Alex’s. But is he the solution? Kylie must decide. Is her love for Scott strong enough to bridge the break in trust? Or will she decide to write off billionaires forever? December 18th  Hunter's Truce by Elle Beaumont The Big Bad Wolf never killed for fun—he was on a mission. Little pig, little pig, let me come in. I'll huff, and I'll puff, and I'll blow your house in. We're tired of death, of prejudice and more, if you don't make some changes I'll kick down your door. When Niklaus von Brandt's mother is murdered by a poacher it moves him to make a change in the kingdom of Abendrot. Once a kingdom founded by werewolves, it is now ruled by humans who have one goal: eradicate the werewolves. In order to protect what is left of his family, he must make an important decision, one that leads him to become an assassin, and the shadow the kingdom murmurs about. Too bad the royal family has a secret—a secret that Niklaus plans on using to his advantage, and in the meantime he has given King Ansgar three chances before he comes huffing and puffing. December 20th  Christmas in Port Scuttlebutt by Barbara Ellen Brink At the grand opening of The Port Playhouse, Shelby Gunner directs her first Christmas play to a packed house. Spirits are high after the show and amid the hubbub and excitement someone leaves a baby outside her dressing room door. Later that night, a young woman and her newborn are discovered missing. As snow piles up and the temperature drops, time is of the essence to bring them home safely. A suicidal man found unconscious near Lake Superior may be the last person to have seen them, and he can’t help because he made a wish… that he had never been born. December 21st  The Spare and the Heir by Carol Moncado Crown Princess Esmerelda of Islas del Sargasso wants nothing to do with Prince Gabriel of Auverignon and his well-deserved reputation as a playboy prince. Unfortunately, she's been secretly engaged to him since she was three. Her mother, Queen Carlotta, has decided it's time for the two of them to get married - and Gabriel is all too keen to make it happen. But she saw what this kind of arrangement did to her own mother, and Esme wants nothing to do with it. For his part, Gabriel has been in love with Esme since he was a teenager and deeply regrets his years of wild oat sowing - even if some of them did serve a greater purpose. One he can't tell Esme about, not yet. He knows, far better than she does, that their fledgling relationship is going to be tested to the hilt as life's body blows rain down. All he can do is be steadfast in his commitment to her, to their marriage, and to helping her become the queen he knows she can be. He's always been the spare. She was born the heir. Together, they can form a new dynasty where even arranged marriages can turn into something beautiful.  One Flew Through the Dragon Heart by C. S. Johnson Brixton Flew works as a professor of wielder instruction at Rembrandt Academy, hoping to erase the regrets of his youth along with the resulting debt. But when he comes face to face with his biggest regret—the woman who broke his heart, Adelaide Favan—Brixton soon realizes his troubles have only begun. Unable to control her magic, Adelaide knew leaving Brixton was the only way to protect him when they were younger. Now she discovers he is the key to recovering the Dragon Eyes, a legendary treasure connected to her magic and her family's disgraced legacy—and she knows the risk is great, to both his life and her heart. With others seeking the power of the Dragon Eyes, Brixton and Adelaide must outwit their foes and face down their families to save London from an ancient legend that sleeps beneath the magic portal in their city. But the renewed passion growing between them may prove to be the greater peril ... December 26th  Love from A to Z by Lia London Falling in love is a family affair... For seven years, Antonio Seneca has had to be a father to his two younger brothers. He might struggle in the kitchen, but he makes sure the boys get their homework done and stay out of trouble. Only now that they've discovered girls, he has to decide if a love life would be a welcome distraction or a complete disaster. Smart and sassy Zaira Vasquez got herself through a nursing degree and landed her first job at a hospital, but being a single, working mom is exhausting, no matter how cute her toddler daughter is. With only two relatives nearby to lend a hand, she needs adult companionship. Could it be that the handsome young man across the street is a remedy for her loneliness? Growing from neighbors to co-workers to friends, Antonio and Zaira try dating while parenting, and parenting while dating, and find that the two occupations aren't always compatible. How can they navigate the chaos of the present and the heartaches of the past to form something beautiful for their future?  Check out these new releases from authors involved with American Christian Fiction Writers. You're sure to find a new favorite! Amish Romance:
The Amish Sweet Shop by Laura Bradford, Mary Ellis, and Emma Miller — It’s almost Valentine’s Day at Beechy’s Sweets, where the Amish gifts of love and faith are even sweeter than the home-made candy. In The Sweetest Courtship by Emma Miller, bachelor Jacob Beechy is a master candy maker whose mother longs for grandchildren, so she sets out to find him an assistant confectioner during the Valentine’s holiday—and a wife. In The Sweetest Truth by Laura Bradford, Sadie Fischer can’t see beyond her scars from a barn fire, but there’s a young man who sees only sweetness when he looks at her, and he’s sending her Beechy’s chocolate and mysterious gifts leading up to Valentine’s Day. In Nothing Tastes So Sweet by Mary Ellis, Pregnant widow Hannah wants to buy her English employer’s hardware store, but ends up following a clue from Beechy’s to clear a man’s name—and finds a partnership in work, faith, and love. (Amish Romance from Kensington) Amish Christmas Memories by Vannetta Chapman — When a young Amish woman collapses in the snow shortly before Christmas, Caleb Wittmer rushes to her aid. Only, “Rachel” remembers nothing of who she is. Now his family has taken in the pretty stranger, disrupting Caleb’s ordered world. He’s determined to find out where she belongs…even if Rachel’s departure means saying goodbye to his old-fashioned heart forever. (Amish Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin]) A Quilt for Jenna (Apple Creek Dreams #1) by Patrick E. Craig — On her way to win a quilting competition—and a ticket out of Amish life, Jerusha finds her God, her missing husband, and a lost little girl in the heart of the Storm of The Century. (Amish Romance from P & J Publishing) The Road Home (Apple Creek Dreams #2) by Patrick E. Craig — Adopted into an Amish family as a child, local historian Jenny Springer is looking for the parents she never knew. When Jenny meets Jonathan Hershberger, a drifter from San Francisco who lands in Apple Creek fleeing a drug deal gone wrong, she is intrigued by this Englischer with an Amish name, and offers to help him discover his Amish roots. While Jonathan discovers his need for home, family, and a relationship with God, Jenny finds more than she hoped for—truth and love and the knowledge that you can go home again. (Amish Romance from P & J Publishing) Jenny’s Choice (Apple Creek Dreams #3) by Patrick E. Craig — When Jenny’s husband disappears in a terrible boating accident, she returns home to Apple Creek, Ohio and her adoptive parents. Working through her grief, she pursues newfound writing dreams and is presented with a possible romance with a handsome young publisher, until the elders of her church confront her consideration of going outside her faith to pursue her dreams. At the same a faint hope that her husband might someday be found alive holds her heart in the past. (Amish Romance from P & J Publishing) Minding the Amish Baby by Carrie Lighte — Amish store clerk Tessa Fisher isn’t ready for marriage or a family—until a baby girl is abandoned on her doorstep. Now Tessa and her gruffly handsome landlord, Turner King, must mind the baby together. And soon Turner and the sweet-cheeked kind are burrowing into Tessa’s heart. But with secrets between them, can the temporary family find a way to stay together forever? (Amish Romance from P & J Publishing) Contemporary Romance: Who I Am with You by Robin Lee Hatcher — Jessica was pregnant and facing divorce when her husband and daughter were killed in a car accident. Withdrawing from friends and family, she feels far away from God. Then months later she receives her great-grandfather’s Bible at her grandmother’s funeral. Ridley has suffered his own loss. Bitter over disgrace at his job, an ended career, and subsequent breakup with is girlfriend, he retreats to a vacation property owned by his parents to lick his wounds and hide from the press. Thumbing through the Bible later, Jessica journeys through the aged margin notes, back to faith and wholeness. And the broken roads they have followed bring Jessica and Ridley to each other as well. (Contemporary Romance from HarperCollins Christian Publishing) Historical: Three Christmas Novellas by Mary Connealy — Three Christmas Novellas in one volume: Long Horn Christmas, The Sweetest Gift and The Christmas Candle. (Historical, Independently Published) The Making of Mrs. Hale by Carolyn Miller — Can a runaway marriage ever be redeemed? Julia Hale ran off to be married in Gretna Green, following romance instead of common sense. But her tale isn’t turning into a happily ever after. Her new husband is gone and she doesn’t know where—or if he’s ever coming back. Julia has no option but to head home to the family she betrayed by eloping and to hope they’ll forgive her.Along the way she will learn how relationship with God can bring restoration and hope, and find the answers she needs both for her husband and her future. (Historical, Kregel Publications) Child of Light by Annette O’Hare — While praying for her own Christmas miracle after five years in a childless marriage, Margaret offers aide to a destitute and expectant young woman during the holidays. She is condemned for her decision to help a woman of ill repute and must face the consequences of doing what is right. Will Margaret’s prayers for a child of her own be answered this Christmas or does God have something else in store? (Historical from Harbourlight Books [Pelican]) The Plum Blooms in Winter by Linda Thompson — Inspired by a Gripping True Story from World War II’s Daring Doolittle Raid–Japan, 1948: A prostitute seeks her revenge; a war hero finds his true mission. (Historical from Mountain Brook Ink) Historical Romance: The MissAdventure Brides Collection by Mary Davis, Cynthia Hickey, Kathleen E. Kovach, Debby Lee, Donna Schlachter, Marjorie Vawter, and Kimberley Woodhouse — Seven daring damsels refuse to let the cultural norms of their eras hold them back! Follow along as they trek the wilderness as a fur trapper; teach in the backwoods; campaign for women’s rights; breed llamas; drive cross-country; become a hotel tour guide; and pursue art. Will they meet men who admire their bravery and determination? (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing) Kiss Me Once Again by Gail Kittleson — When Glenora Carson’s first love perishes along with the crew of the U.S.S. Arizona on December 7, 1941, she locks away her heart and her dreams of attending college on scholarship, instead choosing to hold down the home front by helping out the family business – Carson’s Garage. The grease-stained overalls don’t do much to compliment her female figure, but they cover her female heart well enough. That is, until Hank Anderson, a wounded warrior back from battle, walks into the garage and into Glenora’s life. Is an old maid’s future Glenora’s fate, or will Cupid throw a wrench in her plans? (Historical Romance from WordCrafts Press) Stagecoach to Liberty by Janalyn Voigt — Can a desperate young woman trust the handsome Irish stranger who wants to free her from her captors? (Historical Romance from Mountain Brook Ink)  The weather is starting to cool down a little and the holidays are fast approaching. Stock up on some great new books to read while sitting by the fire, drinking your favorite tea or coffee in the morning, or to gain those little snatches of sanity in the middle of your busy afternoon! November 1st  Sleigh Bells Ring in Romance by Shanna Hatfield You're never too old to fall in love . . . Will over-the-hill neighbors embrace a holiday romance? Rancher Jess Milne lost his wife years ago, but he’s finally ready to give love a second chance. It’s a shame the one woman in Romance who captures his interest is a prickly, wasp-tongued she-devil. She used to be one of his closest friends until he asked her out. Her vocal, vehement refusal made her thoughts on dating him crystal clear. Despite her animosity, Jess can’t help but be attracted to her fire and spirit. Widowed more than ten years, Doris Grundy tries to convince herself she’s content with her life. Her recently married grandson and his wife bring her joy. The ranch she’s lived on since she was a young bride gives her purpose. She’s an active member of their close-knit community. But the old coot who lives down the road continually invades her thoughts, keeping her from having any peace. Doris will be the last to admit she longs for the love and affection of her handsome neighbor. When the two of them are unexpectedly thrown together, will they find a little holiday spirit and allow the love of the season to ring in their hearts? Find out in this sweet novella from USA Today Bestselling Author Shanna Hatfield.  The Twins' Family Christmas by Lee Tobin McClain A mommy’s all his twins want for Christmas… in this Redemption Ranch novel Pastor Carson Blair plans a quiet Christmas vacation for his twin girls—until veteran Lily Watkins gets snowed in with them. Lily is drawn to the warmth of this family, but she’s hiding a secret about Carson’s late wife that threatens more than their holiday. And the twins have their own plan—one that includes a gift-wrapped mommy to complete their family.  His Christmas Wish by Melissa McClone Carly Bishop loved Christmas…until tragedy struck. Distraught and grief-stricken over the deaths of her fiancé and brother, she left Hood Hamlet and her Christmas spirit behind, to start over somewhere new. But now, six years later, her family needs her. Carly returns home to face her past and give her niece and nephew the best Christmas ever. Burdened with guilt, Jake Porter believes he could have saved his two friends on that fateful day and kept Carly from experiencing such a heart-wrenching loss. When she arrives in town, Jake wants to make amends so they can both finally move forward with their lives. As Jake helps Carly experience the magic of Christmas so she'll embrace the holiday again, will he also be able to open her heart to something else she’d given up on…love?  The Matchmaker's Fake Marriage by Bree Livingston Two best friends, one romantic tropical vacation, and a week pretending to be married. Jobless and heartbroken, Peyton Burrows jumps at the chance to spend Christmas in Hawaii with her best friend since childhood. Chances are good that a tropical getaway will take her mind off all her troubles. But the lanky boy who kissed her in high school is now a gorgeous hunk with a sweet streak big enough to give her cavities. Matchmaker Gus Grant wants nothing more than to mend his best friend's heart. He plans a relaxing time for her at his new resort, not expecting a nosy reporter to question his bachelor status. When Peyton blurts out that they're married, he goes along with the ruse to protect his reputation and save his newest business venture. Will their fake marriage cement their determination to remain friends or will it blur into something they’ve both been looking for?  Lone Star Christmas by Jolene Navarro Determined to restore the historic buildings in Clear Water, Texas, Jackie Bergmann needs permission from the property’s new owner—her ex-boyfriend. And though Max Delgado agrees to give her access, he has one request: that she help him care for his orphaned brothers. But when she starts to fall for Max again, can she convince him not to sell his family’s ranch…and stay home for Christmas and forever?  I Know the Plans by Melissa Wardwell All the plans Tiffany and Brad made for their lives as individuals were thrown to the wind the moment they met. Now, after almost a decade of marriage, they spend more time apart than together. Though plans remain unfulfilled, their hearts seek to remain steadfast and connected. After Brad returns from his latest tour in Afghanistan, it is evident that the man Tiffany married is no longer the same. As Brad struggles with reacquainting himself with his life, Tiffany questions how it could be part of God's plan. Have the sins of their past finally come back to haunt them? No matter how much support they have in their family and friends, the choice is still theirs. Will they continue to trust God with their lives or will they choose their own course?  Awakening by Julie C. Gilbert Being the Chosen One could kill her … Victoria Saveron knows two things for certain. Dark forces want to kill her, and her friends have cooler powers than she does. Katrina can shapeshift and Tellen can tap into destructive magic currents. Everything else is uncertain and rumors abound. Victoria might be the Chosen One, whatever that means. Her father might be able to help them, but only if they can find him. Coldhaven’s villagers might be able to offer them food and shelter. Some fool might be running around unlocking Darkland portals to raise an undead army. The further Victoria and her companions get on their journey, the more dangers and betrayals they face. They must awaken Vic’s true powers or forfeit the world.  The Billionaire's Beagle by Kristy Tate Above all else, Letty detests liars. A good girl through and through, she’s always tried to walk a straight line, which hasn’t been easy given her father walked a crooked path that led him to prison. Wes is attracted to Letty the moment he meets her. One of the things he loves about her is she thinks he’s just a beach bum working at the local hotel and she’s okay with him just as (she thinks) he is. But when Betty the beagle gets kidnapped, the budding romance goes off the rails and Wes and Letty are forced fess up to their lies and exaggerations before their problems (and beagles) get completely out of hand and off leash.  Rise of the Seer by Brandon Barr A god-gifted young woman is chosen for a grim task– one that will take her beyond the boundaries of her own world. Winter’s chilling visions of the future make clear that her choices will not only affect the success of her mission… but whether those she loves will live or die. On the distant world of Hearth, Meluscia is the daughter of a dying king. As he wages a bitter war in the north, a growing evil devours the villages of the east. She would turn her kingdom’s forces to face the emerging threat– but first, she must gain the throne… and confront the secret desire that torments her soul. Though worlds apart, Meluscia and Winter’s destinies are bound together by portals and an ancient prophecy that promises to pull friend and foe together in a devastating collision.  Terrorists, Traitors and Spies by J. Traveler Pelton The middle generations of the Oberllyn's carry on the legacy of their father Noah by setting up a network of scientists, spies and informants all over the globe. This book spans the generations from 1910 to 2010; a time of change and growth. The family tries to stay out of the feud between Edison and Tesla while beginning to investigate an elusive enemy network that grows into an worldwide web that will plague them for generations. They survive Two World Wars, The Korean Conflict, Vietnam War and the Gulf Wars in spite of attacks on them personally from the enemy and from their own government. Will the legacy of the Lenape negotiators carry the family through discrimination, hatred and treason? Will there be another seven generations of the people to carry on or will they follow their ancestors into oblivion? November 2nd  A Merry Miracle in Romance by Melanie D. Snitker It’ll take a Christmas miracle to turn a grudging friendship into true love. Baxter Reid returns to his hometown of Romance, eager to see his childhood crush. Unfortunately, Savannah hasn’t forgotten all the ways he used to tease her back then. He’s got his work cut out for him if he’s going to get a second chance. When Savannah Miller learns her former arch enemy is back in town, she dreads running into him. Baxter is at the center of some of her most embarrassing childhood memories. She’s more than happy to avoid Baxter until he apologizes and suggests a truce. Now what is she supposed to do? Only time will tell whether the spirit of Christmas in Romance is enough to transform a grudging relationship into true love.  When Hope Went South by Patricia Snelling It was the last straw for Hope Peterson. Her parent’s betrayal was more than she could bear. How could she survive the deprivation of everything and everyone she had ever loved? One loss was enough but unbeknown to her, there was more heartbreak to come. During her perilous road trip along the Southern Alps, she experiences the joy of witnessing the most breath-taking scenery she had ever seen. But when she arrives at Dart River Ranch, the revelation of a deeply buried secret kills her joy. Can the truth provide her with a new life of love and a mended heart or will it be a cruel messenger of unrelenting pain? Who can rescue her from her past? November 3rd  Holding Onto Love in Romance by Liwen Y. Ho She’s a small town inn owner learning how to trust. He’s a big time singer struggling to protect the woman he loves. Together, they must fight to keep their romance alive. Being engaged to America's hottest pop star brings Izzy Sutton’s insecurities to the surface, making her question if she can handle life in the public eye. Complications multiply when her ex shows up on her doorstep two weeks before the wedding, with nowhere to live. Through hard work and determination, Chase Lockhart climbed the Top 40 charts and won the hand of the only woman he’s ever loved. Helping Izzy overcome her cold feet, however, proves to be more challenging than expected, especially when he’s away on tour days before their wedding. With their Christmas Eve wedding fast approaching, Izzy and Chase face the biggest decision of their relationship. Will they allow their circumstances to divide them or will they find enough reasons to keep holding onto love? November 4th  A Reel Christmas in Romance by J.J. DiBenedetto Owner of the lone movie theater in Romance, Marianne Carter loves the old movies she shows on the big screen. She’s just struck up an email friendship with a newcomer to town. Unaware of his identity but feeling loyal to him, she fights her attraction to a handsome man she keeps bumping into around town. Under a false identity, Jack Nelson comes to Romance to investigate the historic movie theater and decide if it should receive the status of a historical landmark. Little does he know the woman sending him charming emails is the same one who owns the theater. While Marianne’s theater plays the old classic film The Shop Around the Corner, Marianne and Jack unknowingly play out the same story in real life. Will they figure it out in time to write their own happy ending? November 5th  A Christmas Carol in Romance by Franky A. Brown Christmas is coming to Romance, Oregon...but for Andy McKay, it's only a reminder of the day the love of his life walked away. Guilted into playing Scrooge as a young man in the town's production of A Christmas Carol, Andy unexpectedly finds himself acting alongside his girlfriend of romance past. Cassie Winston has spent the past year traveling, writing, and regretting that she left the man she loved behind her. She’s afraid the old adage about how you can never go home again might be true. It’s hard enough to convince Andy to consider giving them a second chance, and acting with him in Scrooge and Belle's breakup scene certainly doesn't help. As ghosts from the past resurface, can they find a way to create a new future together?  Panther's Bride by Kimberly A. Rogers She wasn’t the bride he expected but she might be the only one who can free him. When her older sister elopes on the day of her arranged marriage, Keturah Kerrick finds she must now preserve their family honor. She is the one who will marry the Duke of Glenrowan. Rumor paints the man as a monster. Yet the more she comes to know the masked duke, the more she hopes for love. After aiding the new queen to take her throne, the Duke of Glenrowan made a bargain with her. Marry to protect his people from outside interference. Finding an appropriate match proves challenging even without revealing that he and his people are panther shifters. However, he fears his young bride will become an unwitting pawn in his enemies’ schemes. As rebellion brews within his own lands, the duke must place his trust in his bride. When a plot against the duke unfolds, will Keturah risk losing his love to save his life?  Threats by Numbers by Kimberly A. Rogers Everyone has a number but only a few can see them. I’m one of those few. And now it might get me killed. I’ve been in hiding all my life. Working as a secretary for a paranormal relocation and PR firm is quiet, simple, and above all filled with low numbers. But then I see a man who’s registering as a Ten — They aren’t supposed to exist. To make matters worse, he’s the firm’s new security specialist. One incident changes everything. In protecting the firm, I’ve been exposed and now far bigger threats are closing in on me. Hunters who won’t stop until they’ve brought me down. I don’t know who to trust. The most dangerous man I’ve ever met is offering protection. But trusting him might be the last thing I ever do. November 6th  Santa's Visit in Romance by Jessica L. Elliott Santa's got his work cut out for him to help a reluctant couple find love during the holidays. Marshall Duncan swore off women when his wife ran away, leaving him with an infant to raise alone. But a newcomer to Romance might just change his mind, with some help from a mysterious friend and his precocious daughter, Savannah. Latiesha Harris lost everything when her fiance left her in Denver. Hoping to escape her mother's judgment, Latiesha goes to Romance to stay with an old sorority sister. But when she meets Katie's childhood friend, there's no denying the sparks between them. When Nick Klauss gets a Santa letter by mistake, he can't help but try to make the little girl's wish come true. But how can a retired cowboy give Savannah a mommy by Christmas?  Pathway to Peace by Elizabeth Maddrey All she wants is to leave her past behind. Lindsey Bowers has spent five years hiding from her mistakes. She’s created a life, such as it is, where few people know about her past. If that means she has to keep people at arm’s length, so be it. Gavin Harder is ready to tackle the future. Newly relocated to the D.C. area, he plans to spend Christmas with his grandmother and get settled before attending the Police Academy in January. He’s can’t wait to protect and serve with his new brothers in blue. When Gavin’s grandmother invites Lindsey to share Thanksgiving dinner with them, Gavin makes it clear he’s not looking for a relationship. But the instant attraction he feels has him rethinking that decision. Before long, attraction turns to friendship with the hope of something more. If they can move beyond the secrets they’re both keeping.  Tropical Tiding by Johanna Evelyn After going back on plans Rylie made with her high school sweetheart, she runs off to California right after graduation, leaving Brennen alone and heartbroken. Rylie has learned some hard life lessons in the four years she’s stayed away from Crystal Falls, but when it’s time to come home, she chickens out and decides to spend Christmas in Hawaii. Little does she know, their mothers don’t plan on letting the two sweethearts avoid a reunion forever. They trick Brennen into going to Hawaii for Christmas, too—without him knowing Rylie will be there waiting. Though he vows to keep Rylie in the past, Brennen soon realizes the Island of Lanai is too small to avoid her. As a series of mishaps force them together, Brennen takes it as his chance to finally find out Rylie’s reasons for leaving him. But Rylie is adept at running from the truth. Can this vacation help Rylie see Brennen’s worth fighting for? November 7th  Simply Smitten by Kimberly Rose Johnson Business brought them together but will betrayal pull them apart? Hailey O’Brien, a recent economics graduate is practically handed her dream job, but there’s a catch. Her new boss allowed her to believe he was someone he was not—they bonded on the train ride to Seattle, and now she is smitten. On top of that, her hometown is where her estranged mother lives. Can she mend the riff with her mom and follow her heart back to Seattle? Or will their past be too large of a hurdle? Michael Pierce co-owns a start-up software development company. They are well on their way to success when Michael discovers something that changes everything. Can the beautiful economist he hired fix the mess, or are they doomed to bankruptcy? Hailey is under a lot of pressure at work. Not the least of which comes directly from her new boss. She’s dreamed of being a successful businesswoman, but now her heart wants more. Can she have love and a career, or will she have to choose? November 8th  Racing Christmas by Shanna Hatfield She’s racing to save the ranchHe’s struggling to win her heart . . . againBrylee Barton has just one goal in mind: win the barrel racing world championship. Not for the glory, but for the attached cash prize that could save her family’s ranch. When an injury leaves her at the mercy of the very same copper-headed, silver-tongued cowboy she once vowed to loathe forever, she has no choice but to swallow her pride and accept his help. Fun-loving, easy-going Shaun Price has a million dollar smile, more charm than he can channel, and a string of ex-girlfriends rumored to have started their own support group. When the one woman he’s never quite managed to get out of his head or heart needs his assistance, he jumps at the chance to help. Little does he realize how challenging it will be to keep from falling for her all over again. With the holiday season fast approaching, will Shaun and Brylee discover the gift of forgiveness, and experience their own happily-ever-after? November 10th  Bright Christmas by Alicia Best When Hannah Wyatt is sent to Shady Piers to cover their Christmas Extravaganza, her future career on a West Coast feature magazine will be decided by what she creates. But Christmas in Shady Piers depends on the continuing generosity of Jackson Vokes, who provides the center-piece Christmas tree every year (as well as trees for the all the locals too). Beset with personal problems surrounding his estranged wife and young son, Jackson is not feeling full of Christmas cheer this year and refuses to provide trees to anyone. So, to make Christmas happen in Shady Piers, Hannah must help resolve Jackson’s troubles, by acting as go-between for all the parties concerned and when she does, she finds there are more attractions to Jackson than she first realized. November 13th  I Still Do by Melanie D. Snitker What's worse than running into your ex-husband? Becoming snowbound with him and an avalanche of memories you can't escape. When Cora Wells married her high school sweetheart at nineteen, she thought it was the beginning of a perfect life together. Their divorce two years later shattered her heart. She thought she'd never see him again, until she agrees to go on a crazy trip to honor a loved one and comes face to face with none other than her ex-husband, Grey. Grey Jackson never could decide which was his biggest mistake--marrying Cora or divorcing her. He thought he'd moved past it all, but unexpectedly seeing Cora brings every emotion back to the surface. He can tell she's keeping something from him, yet how can he expect her to open up to him after he shut himself off from her years ago? When a crazy winter storm leaves them all snowbound, everything seems to go wrong, and Cora and Grey have no choice but to work together. As tempers flare and old wounds are re-opened, they must face the truth of what happened between them. Will it give them a second chance to rediscover their first love?  Her Christmas Secret by Melissa McClone Sean Hughes likes being single—much to his family’s dismay. They want him to settle down…now. When he gives fun-loving snowboarder Zoe Flynn a ride to the slopes, Sean hatches a plan to throw off his matchmaking relatives. He asks Zoe to pose as his girlfriend at Thanksgiving dinner, which will take the pressure off him and make the evening more enjoyable all around. Zoe agrees to be Sean’s fake girlfriend. Who wouldn’t want a free meal or a chance to hang out with the handsome mountain rescuer and his adorable husky? When an injury occurs, the two are forced to continue their one-night ruse. As Christmas approaches, make-believe turns into reality. But Zoe has a secret…a big one. Is their new relationship strong enough to withstand the truth, or will she find herself with no one to kiss at midnight on New Year’s Eve?  Recovering Hope by Marion Ueckermann In a single moment, a dream dies, and hope is lost. Lovers of the ocean, Hope and Tyler Peterson long for the day they can dip their little one’s feet into the wild blue yonder and pass on their passion for the sea. Despite dedicating her life to the rescue and rehabilitation of God’s sea creatures, when their dream dies, Hope can’t muster the strength to do the same for herself. Give her a dark hole to hide away from the world and she’d be happy…if happiness were ever again within her reach. While Tyler is able to design technology that probes the mysteries of the deep, he’s at a loss finding a way to help Hope surface from the darkness that has dragged her into its abyss. He struggles to plan for their future when his wife can barely cope with the here and now. If they can’t recover hope, their marriage won’t survive.  The Only Things You Can Take by Stacy Claflin When your world falls apart, where do you turn? Sutton Scott has her entire life mapped out—getting her degree, marrying her longtime boyfriend Kade, then having three kids, a cat, and a dog. Anchor Jones is scorned by love and has no desire to tie himself down like his lifelong friend Kade. He has his sights set on adventure. Until one night when the unthinkable happens. Kade dies in Sutton’s arms. With their worlds shattered, Anchor and Sutton turn to each other. Feelings intensify, but so does guilt. The attraction can’t be denied, but then Sutton reveals a secret that changes everything. He’s jolted, conflicted. Maybe falling for her was a mistake. Or maybe it was the best decision he ever made. *One dollar from every pre-order will be donated to fight childhood cancer. November 15th  Her Christmas Kiss by Melissa McClone Paramedic Leanne Thomas works hard to be “one of the boys” at the fire station and on the mountain. What the guys don’t know is she keeps her inner girly-girl hidden from them. When gorgeous, rookie firefighter Christian Welton turns on the charm, Leanne shuts him down fast. She won’t risk her heart or her reputation by dating a younger man who is also a coworker. Leanne intrigues Christian. After she rescues him off the mountain, he glimpses a softer, more vulnerable side to her tough-as-nails personality. Christian’s not looking for a relationship, yet he can’t deny his attraction. A surprise kiss under the mistletoe sparks a three-alarm fire, but something is holding her back. Will Christian’s kisses break through Leanne’s tough exterior and melt her heart? Or will a dash of Christmas magic be required?  A Bride for Finn by Linda Ellen Handsome barber, Finn Maynard, enjoys a comfortable life in the 1870’s small town of Brownville, Nebraska. He has everything he needs...except someone to come home to and with whom to share his prosperity. With few choices among the local girls, he decides to take out an advertisement for a mail-order-bride; however, the first try doesn’t go so well...she takes his money and runs. Luckily, with a bit of encouragement, he tries again... Orphaned at sixteen and years later jilted at the altar, Charise Willoughby just wants to get out of her hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, and find somewhere to start fresh and leave her painful memories behind. But, how can a single, young woman do that unaccompanied, with no money saved and few prospects? Would she even have the courage to travel alone, not knowing what awaits her at the other end? Her best friend has an idea—become a mail-order-bride! Finn and Charise begin a friendly correspondence and find they have much in common. Having learned from his previous attempt, Finn intends to come to Louisville to meet her—but catastrophe strikes! What will Charise do if she’s left at the altar again? To move forward involves trust—on both sides, but is that something either one is willing to do?  More Than Gold by Nerys Leigh Does “second time lucky” apply to mail order brides? Let’s just say that Gabriel’s first attempt at marriage didn’t go well. But his new bride, Grace, she has curves he can’t keep his eyes from, and he’s determined this time will be different. Until he ends up sleeping in the barn. Why are women so difficult to figure out? All he wants is someone to cook, clean, and warm his bed. But Grace wants more. She wants respect and someone to care about her. She wants love. So now Gabriel has to learn how to court his wife just so he can sleep in his own bed again. But as for falling in love, he just isn’t the type. And he has no idea why he seems willing to do anything to make her happy.  Her Billionaire Chauffeur by Tayla Alexandra After her heart is broken, Lara wants nothing to do with love. She’s had enough of men. She’s determined to live her life in complete isolation and she just might get her wish. Tony AKA Boss is the faithful chauffeur to banking billionaire Chandler Jones. He doesn’t speak about the past that has haunted him for over ten years. The wounds too deep to mend, so he pretends to be someone he’s not. But when Lara and Boss end up on the same flight out of town, their worlds turn upside down. They end up in the worse predicament imaginable when their plane crashes on a deserted island. With dangers around every corner, surviving long enough to be rescued is their main concern. And love is the least of their worries. They soon find out that love has no boundaries. Not even a deserted island can hold it at bay. November 16th  Ranger Protection by Lynn Shannon When Dr. Tara Sims is robbed, she fights back to protect her daughter and nearly pays with her life. She’s rescued by Texas Ranger Grady West. Her childhood friend is now a handsome lawman, but Tara refuses to acknowledge the chemistry sparking between them. With a little girl to raise and a growing medical practice, she has no room in her life for romance. Grady suspects the vicious assault wasn’t a random act. What he can’t figure out is why anyone would attack the single mother. He vows to protect Tara and her little girl while keeping his growing feelings for them out of the equation. Getting romantically involved with his sister’s best friend is more hazardous than hunting criminals. As the threats escalate and evidence links the robbery to a homicide, Tara and Grady realize nothing is quite as it seems. Untangling a web of secrets makes them the target of a madman, and it’s only a matter of time before the killer strikes again… November 17th  Well Said, O Toothless One by Nix Whittaker and 9 More Authors A collection of short stories that follow the antics of creatures on paws and out of this world. November 20th  Repair My Heart by Kate Palmer A vivacious flirt hammers out a tenuous agreement with her ex-fiancé while they remodel a home and their hearts. When Grace’s big TV break involves competing in a reality home flipping show with her ex-fiancé as her partner, she must find a way to convince Judson they can still work together. Professionally, of course. Even if his eyes still have that mischievous twinkle. Judson’s fledgling construction company gives teens a second chance to graduate high school while providing on the job training but is in desperate need of cash. Winning the house flipping competition would give his school much-needed funding. However, working alongside the woman who crushed his heart…he won’t let that happen again. Or so he thought. When the cameras begin rolling, they capture a house and two hearts in desperate need of repair. November 22nd  His Second Chance by Melissa McClone Nothing interests Sarah Purcell more than the volcanoes she studies until she meets Dr. Cullen Gray. Maybe that’s why she marries him two days later. Illogical, yes, but nothing has ever felt so right. As the honeymoon period ends and real life sets in, everything falls apart. A year after their separation, when Sarah is injured, she’s shocked when Cullen shows up to help. Even though Cullen’s still hurting from their breakup, Sarah has no one else. He brings her to his home in Hood Hamlet to heal. Once she recovers, she can return to her beloved work and he can move on with his life—without her. But soon, sparks fly anew, long-buried emotions resurface, and much needed conversations happen. Is Sarah and Cullen’s marriage truly over? Or will they get a second chance at romance and a happily ever after? November 23rd  Hidden Heir by Amy Patrick A new generation. A new kind of love. A new Hidden threat... The Hidden Saga comes full circle back to Altum as its citizens— and its king and queen— prepare for a very special arrival. It should be the most joyous of occasions, especially as the new heir is expected to make an appearance during the holiday season. But things are never simple in the Fae world, and not everyone is who they seem to be. In this final installment of the Hidden Saga, Lad and Ryann will face the biggest challenge of their lives together, and it will take all their special gifts— and all their friends— if their love and their growing family is to survive this newest Hidden danger. November 24th  Her Billionaire Santa by Jewel Allen A sweet opposites-attract Christmas billionaire romance Do-gooder Katy Stevens is on a mission: to convince billionaire Marcus James that her cause deserves to win his million dollar prize in a Christmas contest. The people of Conchilla, Guatemala, desperately need to rebuild after a devastating earthquake. Problem is, Marcus James only sponsored the contest to create goodwill for his jewelry empire. He no longer believes in the holiday, not after his wife and baby were killed by a drunk driver on Christmas Day five years ago. But after he reluctantly agrees to travel to Conchilla with Katy, Marcus starts to thaw. Could sweet Katy and her simple faith heal his broken heart? November 26th  O Come, All Ye Faithful by Faith Blum O Come All Ye Faithful Edwin wanted to be home, but instead he crouched in a trench. The English on one side of No Man’s Land and Germans on the other. What a way to spend Christmas. Could anything make it better? Peace on Earth Emmie and Elana are estranged sisters, torn apart by an old boyfriend five years earlier. Will they survive a night in the same hotel room after a blizzard forces them together or will peace on earth go out the window? Silent Night Christmas decorating had never gone this wrong. Jenna had just started when a crazy, gun-waving woman, walks right in the front door and ties her up in her own Christmas lights. Will Jenna even see her family this Christmas? The Gift Goes On Four friends and a year to reflect on. The year had been good for Carlotta, but Priscilla, Remus, and Newton all had at least one trial through the year. A mysterious giver the previous year had helped them all out, though. What would this year’s gifts bring? O Christmas Tree Gareth loves Christmas. But more than that, he loves Christmas tree hunting. As the family prepares for their annual trip, Gareth can barely contain his excitement. But what are all the spray bottles for?  Mr. Smith and the Roach by J.J. DiBenedetto John Smith has a problem. He’s a retired cop whose pension just got wiped out, and he doesn’t know why or how. Now he needs to find a roommate to help pay the bills. Sam has a problem. He’s a six-foot-tall talking cockroach and he doesn’t know who created him, or why, or how. Now he needs a place to live. Thrown together as roommates and amateur detectives, Mr. Smith and the Roach realize their problems might be related. But those problems are far more complicated than they imagined, and before all is said and done, they’ll run afoul of a Russian gangster, an imprisoned Mafia don, a crooked Wall Street banker, a mad scientist and, maybe worst of all, Mr. Smith’s baby sister. Can they get to the bottom of an unbelievable plot before someone exterminates the Roach – and Mr. Smith – for good?  A Hope for Eva by Sylvia Damsell Silas has plans concerning the residents of the home where he works, plans which involve the release of all of them from the cruelties and deprivation they are receiving at the hands of an unscrupulous owner and staff who do not care. When Eva comes on the night staff and discovers what he is planning she wants to be a part of it. What lies ahead involves danger and patience. It also involves two people getting to know each other and liking what they find. Maybe it could involve love.. This is the story of a group of people who risk a lot to find happiness and a reason for living in a society which shows little sympathy for those they regard as the undeserving poor or mentally ill. November 29th  His Christmas Family by Melissa McClone Two and a half years after Grace Wilcox’s husband died a war hero, the hole in her heart and life remains. She wants to start over with their young son, but a snowstorm thwarts her plans, stranding them in Hood Hamlet. When Grace knocks on a stranger’s door in search of help, a handsome firefighter comes to the rescue. Bill Paulson invites the two wayward travelers into his home. A relationship and family aren’t on his radar, but something about the widow and her son touches Bill’s heart. While Grace’s truck is being repaired, she wants to give her son a special Christmas. An overgrown kid who loves the holidays, Bill decides to do the same for Grace. Attraction soon flares between Grace and Bill, but she won’t gamble her heart on another hero and he doesn’t consider himself husband material. Can a little Christmas magic show them love and a family are worth the risks?  Check out these new releases from authors involved with American Christian Fiction Writers. You're sure to find a new favorite! Contemporary Romance:
Christmas in Jingle Junction by Tabitha Bouldin — In the small town of Jingle Junction, Holly Winters owns the local coffee shop, Jolly Java. It’s here that she meets Patrick Cooper and promptly throws coffee everywhere. Not only does Patrick not like coffee, he also despises Christmas! It’s up to Holly to show Patrick that Christmas is worth giving a second chance, just as Patrick himself deserves a second chance when he is accused of robbing a local convenience store. In a town full of Christmas spirit, lively debates over the best superhero and riding in a sleigh pulled by actual reindeer is just a normal day. Will Holly be able to prove to Patrick that Christmas is more than a holiday that has to be endured? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published) A Picture Perfect Christmas by Candee Fick — Freelance photographers Liz Foster and Ryan Callahan are finally making plans for their future. And what better time to get married than during the festive holiday season that brought them together? If only Liz’s parents weren’t standing in the way of a picture-perfect wedding. Spurred on by the ghosts of Christmases past, Dan Foster has already written Liz out of his will, so even attending the wedding—let alone walking his daughter down the aisle—is out of the question. However, this is the season for miracles and Ryan will do anything to make his bride smile. What will it take to bring this family back together in time for the wedding? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published) On Magnolia Lane by Denise Hunter — When his secret crush joins a dating website, Jack takes a leap of faith and soon becomes Daisy’s online suitor. But when they begin growing closer in real life also, Jack finds himself with an unexpected dilemma. Is Daisy falling for the real Jack or for the online version of himself? And how is she going to respond when she finds out they’re one and the same? (Contemporary Romance from HarperCollins Christian Publishing) A Merry Miracle in Romance by Melanie D. Snitker — Baxter Reid returns to his hometown of Romance, eager to see his childhood crush. Unfortunately, Savannah hasn’t forgotten all the ways he used to tease her back then. He’s got his work cut out for him if he’s going to get a second chance. Savannah Miller avoids Baxter and the embarrassing childhood memories he evokes…until he apologizes and suggests a truce. Now what is she supposed to do? Only time will tell whether the spirit of Christmas in Romance is enough to transform a grudging relationship into true love. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published) I Still Do by Melanie D. Snitker — What’s worse than running into your ex-husband? Becoming snowbound with him and an avalanche of memories you can’t escape. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published) Contemporary/Women’s Fiction: A Southern Season by Eva Marie Everson, Claire Fullerton, Ane Mulligan, and Linda Yezak — Four seasons. Four stories. Each one set in the enchanting world of the South. These are the kinds of stories your grandmother told you from a front porch swing. (Women’s Fiction from Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas) Historical: Second Chances by Carol Ashby — A widowed father, still grieving the loss of his wife and child, and a devoted mother, who leaves behind everything she’s ever known to rescue her daughter from the ex-husband who would hurt her, are first drawn together by their love for her little girl, but God has much more for them than either could have imagined. (Historical, Cerrillo Press) Historical Mystery: Murder of Convenience by Linda Shenton Matchett — May 1942: Geneva Alexander flees Philadelphia and joins the USO to escape the engagement her parents have arranged for her, only to wind up as the number one suspect in her betrothed’s murder investigation. Diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, she must find the real killer before she loses her sight…or is convicted for a crime she didn’t commit. (Historical Mystery, Independently Published) Historical Romance: The Great Lakes Lighthouse Brides Collection by Lena Nelson Dooley, Rebecca Jepson, Carrie Fancett Pagels, Candice Sue Patterson, Kathleen Rouser, Pegg Thomas, and Marilyn Turk — Along the Great Lakes, America’s inland seas, lighthouses played a vital role in the growth of our nation. They shepherded settlers traveling by water to places that had no roads. These beacons of light required constant tending even in remote and often dangerous places. Brave men and women battled the elements and loneliness to keep the lights shining. Their sacrifice kept goods and immigrants moving. Seven romances set between 1883 and 1911 at Great Lakes Lighthouses bring hope to the lonely lighthouse keepers and love to weary hearts. (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing) A Musket in My Hands by Sandra Merville Hart — Two sisters have no choice but to disguise themselves as men to muster into the Confederate army in the fall of 1864–just in time for things to go very badly for the Southerners at the Battle of Franklin. (Historical Romance from Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas) Uncharted Journey by Keely Brooke Keith — Young widow Eva Vestal assumes loneliness is God’s permanent plan for her life. She keeps busy by raising her son and co-managing the Inn at Falls Creek with her elderly father, but her heart yearns for more. Solomon “Solo” Cotter has spent his life working with horses, but he secretly wants to write a book of the children’s stories his grandfather told him as a boy. He barters with Eva’s father for a 40-night stay at the inn, a needed respite from work to get his stories on paper. Once Eva discovers the barter, she believes Solo is taking advantage of her father’s failing memory. But when tragedy strikes and Solo works hard to save the inn, Eva sees his true nature. As her heart stirs with feelings for Solo, she wrestles with the guilt of loving someone new. (Historical Romance, Independently Published) Snow Angel by Davalynn Spencer — Lena Carver works as her physician brother’s medical assistant, housekeeper, and cook. Maimed in a childhood accident at Christmas, she believes she is beyond love’s reach—until a dark-eyed cowboy arrives broken, bruised, and bent on changing her mind. Wil Bergman wakes in a stranger’s home with a busted leg and a bullet-creased scalp. Trail-weary, robbed, and penniless, he is at the mercy of a country doctor whose sister’s healing touch has power to stitch up his heart and open his eyes to the impossible. (Historical Romance from Wilson Creek Publishing) Romantic Suspense: Tell Her No Lies by Kelly Irvin — After Nina Fischer is accused of murdering her uncle and adopted father, she must unlock deadly family secrets in order to clear her name and learn to trust love again. (Romantic Suspense from HarperCollins Christian Publishing) North by Starlight by Diane and David Munson — Attorney Madison Stone hurries to help her client Jordan Star defeat a mysterious relative who claims a share in his inheritance, and during the Christmas season Maddie learns to leave past regrets behind her, embrace the warmhearted people of Starlight, and dig deep to find her true heart. (Romantic Suspense from Micah House Media) Her Deadly Reunion by Beth Ann Ziarnik — What will it cost an estranged daughter when she meets her birth father at his home and discovers it’s a dangerous place to mix past and present? (Romantic Suspense from Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas) Speculative: Mark of the Raven by Morgan L. Busse — When the new Lady of Ravenwood inherits her family’s secret gift of dreamwalking, she discovers a dark history. Women in her family have been wielding the gift to preserve her family’s legacy—through assassinations. She’s determined to find the true reason behind the gift, convinced there must be a more noble purpose. But she’s torn about upholding her family’s legacy–a legacy that supports her people. What will she do when she is tasked with assassinating the one man who can bring peace to the nations–but who is also prophesied to bring about the downfall of her own house? One path holds glory and power and will solidify her position as Lady of Ravenwood. The other path holds shame and likely death. Which will she choose? And is she willing to pay the price for the path chosen? (High Fantasy from Bethany House [Baker]) Thriller/Suspense: Stratagem by Robin Caroll — Psychologist Grayson Thibodeaux creates mind-bending adventure games for businesses as team-building explorations. When his ex-wife’s company hires Grayson’s for their executive retreat, he doesn’t see how things can get worse. Until she dies during the course of the game he created…making him the prime suspect for murder. (Suspense from Barbour Publishing)  It's a new month, and there are some great new releases for you to chose from. Fill up your Kindle today! October 1st  Chasing Someday by Crystal Walton A country boy looking to win his best friend’s heart. A waitress afraid of giving hers away. And one crazy, impromptu dating plan that’s about to change everything. Ex-model Livy Hensley has exactly three talents: making coffee, landing herself in the most awkward moments known to man, and failing miserably at relationships. But when the sweetest southern boy on the planet offers to be your dating coach, who could say no? Between struggling to open a café and trying to atone for a consequence of her past, Livy can use all the help she can get. Besides, what could possibly go wrong on a few practice dates with your best friend? Chase Thompson’s no stranger to hard work. If that’s what it takes to prove to Livy they should be together, then he’s all in. He can handle pretending he’s not hopelessly in love with her. Sort of. Almost. Okay, nowhere close. But with a conflicting solution to his family’s greatest trial on the line, the stakes of keeping his dating coach plan from backfiring have never been higher. Up against the countdown of choices, Chase and Livy must find the courage to risk what they fear most for the someday they’ve always hoped for.  The Bodyguard's Fake Marriage by Bree Livingston A woman whose life is in danger, the bodyguard sworn to protect her, and a race against time to get her to safety… Medical student Lexi Maheras has one goal—get matched to a top hospital so she can complete her residency. When her father calls, telling her he’s arranged for her to marry a man she barely knows, Lexi is positive something is wrong. In an effort to give herself some time to figure out what’s going on, she decides the only way to slow things down is to arrange her own marriage. Ex-Army Ranger Jake Maverick promised Basil Maheras that he’d keep Lexi safe at all costs—he just never thought the cost would include his bachelor status. but when Lexi tells him her father is forcing her to marry the man he was hired to protect her from in the first place, he feels the only way to keep her safe is to marry her in an attempt to get her father from Greece to the states so he can figure out what’s going on. When their secret is leaked, and Lexi’s life is put in danger, they have no choice but to run. Now, they’re stuck together, and the more they learn about each other, the less pretend their marriage feels.  Cat's Got Your Arsenic by Tara Meyers Water and ravines run deep in Sanctuary -- so do the secrets. When a traveling salesman dies under suspicious circumstances, the implications span decades of hidden truths. Veterinarian Ember Burns is no stranger to the long shadows of the small mountain town. But as winter settles into the rugged terrain, and a veil of snow descends, ghosts from the past begin to surface. As old friends, foes, and lovers collide in a bid to discover who's been keeping the biggest secret of all, will Ember solve the mystery of disappearing animals? Or will she find herself in the path of a killer with a personal agenda?  Cat's Gambit by Kimberly A. Rogers Trusting a talking cat was perhaps the most ridiculous thing she’d ever heard of . . . Helena Sheppard always prided herself on keeping a level head. But when she gives up the flock of sheep meant to be her dowry to preserve her younger sister’s happiness, she accepts a cat to appease her family despite the impracticality. When the cat starts talking and insisting on an adventure, Helena finds her path taking rather unexpected turns. Cursed by a dragoness nearly a century ago, Reed hasn’t spoken to a human in nearly as long. When Helena proves herself worthy, he grows determined to see the former shepherdess properly rewarded even if it means leading her to Carabas and encouraging her to accept the attentions of a nice knight. But when they discover a dragon in Carabas, what will it cost to save the people and the kingdom?  The Case of the Very Bad Cat by Perry Elisabeth Kirkpatrick "I'm Mia. I know how to write. Why's that a big deal? Because... I'm a cat." After nearly being discovered by the scientists from Caput Laboratories and having to fake her own death, Mia has been lying low. As Christmas approaches, she gets herself temporarily adopted by College-Guy, also known as Tommy. Something is afoot in the neighborhood, though, and when Mia is accused of leaving dead mice and birds on the neighbors' doorstep, she's determined to get to the bottom of it. But even the mystery isn't what it seems. Will Mia be able to solve the case of the Very Bad Cat? Will she be able to return home so Keith doesn't spend Christmas all alone?  Finding a Plain Christmas by Amos Wyse and Laura J. Marshall Kirsten Bergman, writer for Harrisburg Magazine, is busy checking off the boxes on her Christmas lists. Her boss and secret crush, Richard Collins, unexpectedly assigns her to a story in Amish country, which seems like he's setting her up for failure. But is he actually giving her the greatest gift of all? Barnville Stories are standalone tales with common characters and common values. We hope you enjoy them all, but you don't have to start with any particular one. October 2nd  A Christmas to Remember by Various Authors Laugh, cry, and fall in love as you savor these brand-new Christmas romances from some of your favorite authors. Pair with a peppermint chai, hot chocolate, or your favorite wintry flavors, then snuggle down in front of the fireplace with a quilt over your lap... and maybe a purring cat! Eight authors have joined together in this Christian romance collection that will leave you celebrating the gift of Christmas. Until I Met You by award-winning author Kimberly Rose Johnson After a difficult breakup, Brandi Prescott is taking a hiatus from men and focusing on her career, the Lord, and getting to know herself. Everything is going according to plan until one fateful, rainy morning in Seattle when a passing car drenches her and everything changes. The Cowboy’s Christmas Reunion by USA Today bestselling author Valerie Comer The Cowboy Santa program is supposed to be a chance to help his neighbors. When Kade Delgado’s ex-fiancée, now a single mom, shows up on his list, neither of them are thrilled. Is there any hope for a second chance at love? Hope for Christmas by Elizabeth Maddrey When he arrived at the ranch, he wasn’t sure what he was looking for. She wasn’t looking for anything beyond stability for her son. Christmas might be a season of hope, but do they dare risk everything for love? Can’t Live without You by Ginger Solomon Clarissa Harding’s fiancé’s betrayal doesn’t hurt as much as learning her best friend, Sawyer Chasin, knew his brother’s secret and didn’t tell her. The marriage would have been fake, but her feelings for Sawyer aren’t. Beautiful Heart of His by Lindi Peterson Two wrongs don’t make a right has never been more true. Will Mason’s past wrongs push Scarlett away or help her fall in love with him? Restoring Christmas by Julie Arduini Filled with grief and regret, Holly Christmas returns to Geneseo Valley and the family business, The Christmas Mansion. Can Kevin Holt restore her love for the season and the memories she left behind? The Cowgirl’s Christmas Gift by Publishers Weekly bestselling author Deb Kastner Cowgirl Maisey Gray knows horses, not six-year-olds. But when her socially-awkward, VR glasses-wearing neighbor needs help creating the perfect Christmas for his nephews, it’s up to Maisey to make sure Cam and the boys have a Christmas they’ll never forget. Falling for Grace by Janet W. Ferguson Grace Logan needs a place to pick herself up now that her ex is marrying her former best friend. Grief drives Seth Gibbs to his family’s vacation home, and three years later, he has no plans to leave. Until Grace falls into his life. October 4th  Serendipity, Indiana Bundle 2 by Magdalena Scott THE BLANK BOOK ~ Alice’s life was hijacked by a story she wrote in an antique blank book. In movie star Robert’s recurring dream, Alice has the lead role. Does she dare write a new future for them both? ~ A year ago her husband died suddenly, and Alice Williams’s calm, predictable world changed in an instant. Most everybody in the small town of Serendipity, Indiana has rallied around her, and Alice’s new life is beginning to take shape. But something is very wrong. A girls’ night out results in an unusual writing project, for which Alice chooses an antique leather-bound blank book. The story she’s begun to pen starts to alter her reality, and that of the man she has met only in her dreams. Movie star Robert Diamond doesn’t want anything to do with Alice, or with her little hometown. His only reason for coming to Serendipity is to put an end to the life-altering dreams he’s having. Dreams that feature a woman who looks just like Alice… Only by working together can they uncover the secret behind the Blank Book, and create the future each of them wants. Writer’s block can be maddening when you’re literally writing the story of your life. THE RING ~ Carla makes wishes come true for everyone but herself. Widower Jared and his kids have won her heart. But is the future possible without forgiving the past? ~ Carla Standish is the go-to person for whatever her friends and family need, and is world-renowned for creating one-of-a-kind, swoon worthy dresses. She’s even surprising herself and the folks in town by dating a decent guy these days. If one missing piece would fall into the jigsaw puzzle of her life, everything would be perfect. But she ruined that possibility long ago, didn’t she? It’s been a couple of years since widower Jared Barnett and his kids moved to Serendipity for a much-needed new start. They were settling in, but now he’s getting some confusing signals from the vivacious shop owner he’s dating, and the small town “good old boy” network seems determined to treat the Barnetts as outsiders. An offer he shouldn’t refuse would mean pulling up stakes again, but Jared will do whatever is required to take care of his family, and to protect his own heart. THE ROAD NOT TAKEN Francie and husband Brad are spending Christmas in her hometown. There are marital problems, career decisions, and a major change on the horizon for the Standish family Christmas tree farm. Can Francie find a way through all this, to a happy ending for anyone? October 5th  Mountain of Sorrow Valley of Peace by Jay Tepe ometimes simple tasks can open up opportunities to see things we never even knew were there. Alistaire Pickelwit, still the most peculiar mouse in all of Crystal Falls Hollow, discovers this on another unexpected journey. His old friends, a raccoon named Wallace Wallington, a woodchuck called Darby Don, and other friends including his new wife—Nataline—decide to help him on a trip to replace the stone jar he uses to collect his drinking water. New friends are made and hearts are betrayed as the Lord of all Creation—Taleh—shows them another layer of his Kingdom. Alistaire learns more about his family’s history and the reasons why the Pickelwit Clan has been charged with the task of keeping a record of Taleh’s Creation’s groanings. Passing through the Prophecy Pool they find themselves in strange lands with even stranger creatures, while their evil adversary—Treikhan—continues in his attempts to exert his will over the Kingdom of Taleh. In the end they discover what it truly means to lay one’s life down for one’s friends. If we have pain . . . if we know hurt and have sorrow as big as a mountain . . . Taleh’s quick to ease our way and carry us to his eternal valley of peace to drink from love’s fountain. October 8th  Spindle by Kimberly A. Rogers What happens when the sleeper wakes to a changed world? In the aftermath of the dragon wars, Celena Geraint expects peace to return to the Kingdom of Aneirin. Instead, she is cursed by a dragoness to an enchanted sleep. When she wakes, a century has passed and everything she knew has vanished in a war of succession whose only hope for an end now lies in her hands. He went on a quest to find the Sleeping Duchess, never expecting legend to come to life. Now Brand finds his plans of escaping the war-torn kingdom on hold for the sake of a woman with silver eyes. Staying by her side as she works to save their kingdom, he knows he can never reveal he feels more than protection toward the duchess. Will she need to sacrifice her own chance at love to win the throne?  Love from Left Field by Jenny Rabe After losing her husband to PTSD, Cambria Henshaw desperately needs to start over, so she packs up her paints and moves to Harker Heights, Texas. Inspired by welcoming surroundings and friendly people, Cambria begins to paint one portrait after another, with one small problem: haunted by survivor's guilt that keeps everyone at a distance—and her heart safely guarded—she can't bring herself to finish any of them. Brian Davidson thinks he's finally put his past behind him. As an anonymous CEO billionaire, he's sure this small Texas town will be his refuge from the spiteful ex who smeared his name through the mud in the national papers. But when someone starts stalking his baseball practices, threatening to expose his identity, he worries his ex is back for more revenge. When Cambria and Brian are thrown together during a service opportunity through their grief group, the attraction is undeniable, but so is their hesitation. As the two of them battle their inner demons and their real-life enemies, they must both decide what they're willing to risk for a 9th-inning chance at "home-run" love. October 9th  Bittersweet by Krista Noorman He owns a food truck. She owns a bakery. He walked out on her four years ago without a word. Will his return bring them a second chance or is it a recipe for disaster? Harper Hensley’s greatest joy is baking. She’s co-owner of a cute little bake shop, creating delicious treats to her heart’s content, and happily dating a successful lawyer. Life seems perfect. Until Logan Riggs, the man who walked out on her without a word four years ago, rolls into town in his new coffee food truck, living the dream they were supposed to share together. The last thing Logan ever wanted was to leave Harper, but unforeseen circumstances forced him to make that choice. He never meant to hurt her or ruin their plans of starting a food truck. Now he’s back to make things right, hoping to convince her to work with him, and longing for a second chance with the woman he loved from the start. Coffee and cupcakes belong together. But is the truth about Logan’s disappearing act too much to forgive? Can Harper move past the bitter to get to the sweet? October 16th  Love Renewed by Lorana Hoopes Do soul mates really exist? Kaitlyn Bell thought she was going to marry Dillon Fields until he decided he needed to see the world. She waited for him to return, but when the communication stopped, she married another. Unfortunately, that marriage wasn't a good fit. When she is asked to redecorate the Fields' winter lodge, she is hesitant at first, but after being assured Dillon won't be there, she takes the job. Dillon Fields thought he wanted to see the world, but ten years after leaving his hometown, he finds himself unable to commit to his relationship. After a bit of soul searching, he realizes it's because he's never gotten over his high school sweetheart, Kaitlyn. Unfortunately, he has no idea where she is now. He decides to spend the Christmas holiday with his mother at their lodge, but he gets more than he bargained for. Will Kaitlyn and Dillon get their second chance or will the past keep them apart? Find out by clicking above. October 18th  The Christmas Window by Melissa McClone A matchmaking aunt wants her nephew to find love under the mistletoe... All doggy daycare owner Callie Andrews wants for Christmas is to win first prize this year. The annual window display competition is a huge event in Silver Falls, and she’s determined to showcase her success when her family visits her small town. It's time for her parents and three older brothers to realize the "baby" of the family is thriving on her own. The last thing Brandt Winslow wants to do is rehash the past, but returning home to Silver Falls means confronting the reason he left. His vacation, however, takes an unexpected turn when his well-meaning aunt meddles in his love life, and he finds himself caught up in her misguided efforts at matchmaking. Despite their reluctance at being paired up, Callie and Brandt discover the holidays are full of surprises...and romance. But is the magic of Christmas strong enough to keep the couple together through the new year? October 23rd  Not in the Plan by Rachel John You can plan anything, except how you feel. Rebecca Scott can’t wait to start her new job as an assistant wedding planner, until she comes face to face with her new boss, and former best friend, Jay. Ten years ago, she dropped him because her fiancé asked her to. Now, he’s looking at her like she’s the worst person in the world, and maybe she is. Because Jay was right all along. She picked the wrong guy. Jay Kendrick had no idea his new assistant would be his former best friend, Rebecca. He’d give anything to get over his feelings for her, especially since they have to work so closely. Friendship is not an option anymore. Not for him, anyway. Jay’s determined to keep things professional and be just her boss, but the more he’s around her, the more he remembers why he fell so hard for her in the first place.  The Enemy Next Door and Other Misunderstandings by Crissy Sharp Jocelyn Kross always imagined her life differently—more loft in Upper Eastside Manhattan, less burned down house in small town Montana. Her temporary digs aren’t much better, a tiny apartment off the side of someone’s house. When the owner turns out to be her sworn enemy, Cade Warner, it’s just the rotten cherry on her terrible day. Strange things are happening in Strawberry Lake Estates. Cade cannot afford to be distracted by his new neighbor, someone he’s known his whole life, and yet doesn’t really know at all. When Cade’s employee turns up dead, solving the sudden crime wave in their town turns a lot more personal. As Jocelyn and Cade work together to solve the murder and help their town, they look pasts old grudges and see each other in a new light. When the investigation puts their lives in jeopardy, they find love sometimes comes in the most inconvenient ways. October 25th  Starr Witness by Susette Williams Because of circumstances beyond her control, Beth Starr’s life has become one big lie. She hates keeping secrets, especially from the handsome officer who attends her church, but telling the truth could put her in danger. Mason Montgomery feels drawn to Beth, even though she isn’t the easiest person to get to know. He feels she may have some interest in him, but her standoffishness has his police instincts on overdrive and he’s determined to find out what she’s hiding. October 26th  Resonance by Dianne J. Wilson Kai was born with the ability to see brokenness and to fix it. This ability has a name: Affinity. Saved from death and freed from the spiritual realm, all Kai wants is a chance to go back for the friend he left behind. But his simple rescue mission is sabotaged and all the broken, homeless kids from the OS are sent back into the spiritual realm with him to be recruited, marked and re-purposed by the enemy. Cut off from the source of his ability, Kai is plunged into a desperate struggle against time to rescue them all before their blood is on his hands. October 30th  Returned to You by Emma St. Clair Can you get a second chance on a first date? Nate Billings spent a semester winning over Colby Martin. But when he didn't show up for their first date, it impacts both of them in ways they wouldn't expect. Four years later, Nate is on the cusp of launching a blind-dating app that he hopes will make him millions. To keep things funded in the meantime, he's making tough choices, like taking an part-time job as a mail carrier. He never expected that this would bring him right to Colby's front door. Colby should have moved on, but instead stayed in Houston after graduating college. Flitting from job to job and relationship to relationship, she's stuck in a holding pattern. When she gets the chance to try out a blind-dating app, she finally hits it off with someone--at least digitally. Will Nate coming back into her life help her find closure? Or will it disrupt the peace she's worked so hard to find?  Soldier On by Vanessa Rasanen He's fighting for his country. She’s praying for his safety. When tragedy strikes, can their marriage and faith survive? Charlie and Meg Winters are no strangers to the military life and the challenges it brings. But when an IED rips through his convoy killing his friends, the loss proves almost too much to bear. Meg finds her trust in Christ wavering, and secrets she's been keeping for years drive a wedge between her and her husband. What if everything Meg believes is a lie? What if Charlie finds out what she's done? Can Meg and Charlie save their marriage or will the horrors of war and the ghosts of their past tear them apart and forever shipwreck her faith?  Check out these new releases from authors involved with American Christian Fiction Writers. You're sure to find a new favorite! Contemporary Romance:
A Christmas to Remember by Julie Arduini, Valerie Comer, Janet W. Ferguson, Kimberly Rose Johnson, Deb Kastner, Elizabeth Maddrey, Lindi Peterson, and Ginger Solomon — Eight authors from the popular blog Inspy Romance each share a Christmas-themed novella to put you in the mood for the season. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published) Their Family Legacy by Lorraine Beatty — Annie’s inheritance will provide a home for her twins and all she had to do is keep a man paying for his mistake forever. (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin]) The Return by Marianne Evans — A prodigal who never wanted to return home must repair his family farm and rush back to the big city before an old love convinces him to stay. (Contemporary Romance from White Rose Publishing [Pelican]) A Harvest of Blessings by June Foster — When Nadia accidentally sits on a stranger’s lap in the graveyard where her late husband is buried, she’s horrified to learn the good-looking guy with salt and pepper hair is her new boss. Jared is intrigued by this beautiful woman who puts God first in her life, but his daughter isn’t ready for him to move on after his wife’s death. As Nadia and Jared try to cultivate a relationship, will they reap a Harvest of Blessings, or a season of drought? (Contemporary Romance from Forget Me Not Romance [Winged Publication]) A Sparkle of Silver by Liz Johnson — Ninety years ago, Millie Sullivan’s great-grandmother was a guest at banker Howard Dawkins’ palatial estate on the shore of St. Simons Island, Georgia. Now, Millie plays a 1920s-era guest during tours of the same manor. But when her grandmother suggests that there is a lost diary containing the location of a hidden treasure on the estate, along with the true identity of Millie’s great-grandfather, Millie sets out to find the truth of her heritage–and the fortune that might be hers. When security guard Ben Thornton discovers her snooping in the estate’s private library, he threatens to have her fired. But her story seems almost too ludicrous to be fiction, and her offer to split the treasure is too tempting to pass up . . . (Contemporary Romance from Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group) Reason to Breathe by Deborah Raney — At twenty-nine, Phylicia Chandler put her life on hold to care for her dying mother with her sisters, Joanna and Britt. Now Mom is gone and their father has run off with a woman young enough to be their sister. Phylicia feels stuck–until her father’s protégé, Quinn Mitchell, presents her and her two sisters with an intriguing business opportunity to purchase a trio of cottages just outside of Langhorne, Missouri. But Phylicia is skeptical. Quinn soon finds himself falling hard for Phylicia. But how can he pursue this beautiful, talented woman twelve years his junior when she’s still reeling over her father’s hasty engagement to a younger woman? Quinn is determined to give Phylicia her happily-ever-after. But first, he must help her come to terms with her discovery of long-held family secrets and persuade her that true love can transcend their differences. (Contemporary Romance from Gilead Publishing) General/Women’s Fiction An Amish Homecoming by Amy Clipston, Kathleen Fuller , Shelley Shepard Gray, and Beth Wiseman — A collection of four new Amish stories of coming home. (General from HarperCollins Christian Publishing) Miles from Where We Started by Cynthia Ruchti — These no-longer-newlyweds want out of this road trip–and their marriage. Too bad they can’t find the off-ramp. (General Contemporary from Gilead Publishing) Historical: When the Heart Sings by Liz Tolsma — In 1943 Poland, the Nazis have forced Natia and Teodor from their peaceful farm to the harsh confines of a labor camp. When the couple is separated, Natia risks everything to send him messages through song as she passes Teodor’s dormitory. The stakes get higher when Natia finds a Jewish orphan on the doorstep where she works. She is determined to protect the boy and raise him as the child she and her husband were unable to bear—but if her German captors discover how much she’s hiding, both she and Teodor may pay the ultimate price. (Historical from Gilead Publishing) Historical Romance: This Courageous Journey by Misty M. Beller — When Noelle Grant sets off to visit her brother in the Canadian Rockies, the prospect of making a name for herself as a news correspondent finally seems within reach. But when the dangers become more than she bargained for, she finds herself—and the mountain man she’s come to love—in a situation more hazardous than any story her imagination could conjure. (Historical Romance, Independently Published [ACFW QIP]) The Reluctant Warrior by Mary Connealy — Union army officer Cameron Scott is used to being obeyed, but nothing about this journey to Lake Tahoe has gone as expected. He’s come to Lake Tahoe to fetch his daughter and nephew, and seek revenge on the people who killed his brother. Instead he finds himself trapped by a blizzard with two children who are terrified of him and stubborn but beautiful Gwen Harkness, who he worries may be trying to keep the children. (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker] Publishing) Enchanting Nicholette by Dawn Crandall — As she acclimates to life in Back Bay again, Nicholette Everstone meets someone she can’t help but fall for. But when she learns of the danger and sacrifices Cal Hawthorne takes on for the safety of others, will her heart be strong enough to keep her fears of “what if” at bay? (Historical Romance from Whitaker House) The Christmas Heirloom by Kristi Ann Hunter, Sarah Loudin Thomas, Becky Wade, and Karen Witemeyer — A family heirloom brings true love to its bearers through the generations as it is handed down from mother to daughter. (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker] Publishing) A Heart for Freedom by Janet Grunst — Life was better than she dreamed, now the conflict between the British and the colonists threatened the loss of everything dear, even her husband. (Historical Romance from Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas) Romancing the Bride by Melissa Jagears — Marrying a stranger to save a ranch is one thing; losing the land on their wedding day is another. Desperate to keep the ranch where three of her children and a husband lie buried, Annie Gephart must marry or sell. Which of the few bachelors in town would consider a surprise proposal to wed a plain widow with a rebellious daughter, a spirited boy, and unpaid taxes—without laughing in her face? (Historical Romance, Independently Published [ACFW QIP]) The Cumberland Bride by Shannon McNear — Thomas Bledsoe and Kate Gruener are traveling the Wilderness Road when conflicts between natives and settlers reach a peak that will require each of them to tap into a well of courage. (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing) Mist O’er the Voyageur by Naomi Musch — Desperate to flee a cruel suitor, Metis woman Brigitte Marchal flees into the wilderness to find her long-lost, fur-trader father, but who will save her from the dangers of being a woman among a voyageurs’ brigade? (Historical Romance from Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas) Romantic Suspense: Five Years In Yemen by Luana Ehrlich — When the President issues a memorandum to bring home a military scientist who went missing in Iraq, CIA operative Titus Ray has been given the assignment. However, when the mission takes an unexpected turn after his contact is murdered in Riyadh, Titus is forced to make changes in the mission’s protocols, changes that endanger his operational team and have lasting consequences for his future. (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published [ACFW QIP]) Hidden Peril by Irene Hannon — A woman who owns a fair trade shop and a police detective find themselves plunged into international intrigue—and danger—when people connected with her shop begin dying. (Romantic Suspense from Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group) Burden of Proof by DiAnn Mills — A hostage negotiator is thrust into danger and betrayal when a frazzled young woman shoves a crying baby into her arms, then disappears. (Romantic Suspense from Tyndale House) Supernatural Thriller: Surrounded by Darkness by Rachel Dylan — When attorney Olivia Murray opens a legal clinic for victims of domestic violence in Windy Ridge, she knows she will face legal and spiritual opposition. The New Age presence has grown stronger as alliances form between groups hoping to spread their destructive way of life and gain a stronghold in the community. While the forces of evil target Olivia’s new clinic, her legal partner Grant Baxter, and her relationships, she refuses to let them stop her quest for justice. Will Olivia’s and Grant’s faith be strong enough—in God and each other—to prevail in the battle that threatens to bring darkness to the entire town? (Supernatural Thriller, Independently Published [ACFW QIP]) Speculative: A Dance of Shadows by Erica Marie Hogan — Ten days have passed since Sundragon blood was shed for a sacrifice by Raphaela Kael. Ten days since Lathan and Maxx Jandry fled the city in search of Princess Damari Kael and their niece, Noelle. Brecken Jandry, Brae’s loyal husband, remains a tortured prisoner in the Kael dungeons and no one in Sunkai is safe from Roderick and Raphaela’s wrath. Damari Kael flees Sunkai with little Noelle Jandry, determined to deliver the child to the safety of the Shadow Lands, even as her own power emerges within her. The Eventide Sisters embark on a mission to join the Winter Queen. Across the land, Clea Jandry arrives in her birthplace of Molderëin where she is met with a savagery she thought long dead. Afra Malaki seeks the Creator’s will and the Queen of the Woodlands prepares for battle. In the peaceful city of Quintaria, the Winter Queen grieves. But the shadows are coming for her. They carry a message for Adlae Sundragon, and they will not rest until all is revealed. (Fantasy from Elk Lake Publishing, Inc.) Body By Blood by Dr. Patrick Johnston — In the not-too-distant future, where cloned bodies are marketable commodities among the super-rich, leaving graveyards of trampled dehumanized classes in science’s wake, the richest man in the world who pioneered the breakthrough technologies learns the meaning of true love from a disabled granddaughter. (Speculative Action Adventure from Ambassador International) Mercury Rising by Tim and Gail Sattler — Four ordinary people are thrown into an extraordinary situation when they are thrown into a diabolical plot hidden under the guise of global warming. (Contemporary Fantasy from Mantle Rock Publishing) The Awakened by Richard Spillman — If Lazarus didn’t die a second time what would he be up to today? (Speculative from Mountain Brook Ink)  Join us for Christmas in Romance! Between odd animals, lost loves, second chances, hidden identities, a secret Santa, and bickering senior citizens, it might just take a miracle to bring everyone a happily-ever-after for the holidays. Settle in a chair by the fire, sip a cup of hot cocoa, and immerse yourself in the friendly town of Romance with this series of six sweet Christmas novellas from bestselling and award-winning authors.  Sleigh Bells Ring in Romance by Shanna Hatfield Releasing: November 1st You’re never too old to fall in love . . . Will two over-the-hill neighbors embrace a holiday romance? Rancher Jess Milne lost his wife years ago, but he’s finally ready to give love a second chance. It’s a shame the one woman in Romance who captures his interest is a prickly, wasp-tongued she-devil. She used to be one of his closest friends until he asked her out. Her vocal, vehement refusal made her thoughts on dating him crystal clear. Despite her animosity, Jess can’t help but be attracted to her fire and spirit. Widowed more than ten years, Doris Grundy tries to convince herself she’s content with her life. Her recently married grandson and his wife bring her joy. The ranch she’s lived on since she was a young bride gives her purpose. She’s an active member of their close-knit community. But the old coot who lives down the road continually invades her thoughts, keeping her from having any peace. Doris will be the last to admit she longs for the love and affection of her handsome neighbor. When the two of them are unexpectedly thrown together, will they find a little holiday spirit and allow the love of the season to ring in their hearts?  A Merry Miracle in Romance by Melanie D. Snitker Releasing: November 2nd It’ll take a Christmas miracle to turn a grudging friendship into true love. Baxter Reid returns to his hometown of Romance, eager to see his childhood crush. Unfortunately, Savannah hasn’t forgotten all the ways he used to tease her back then. He’s got his work cut out for him if he’s going to get a second chance. When Savannah Miller learns her former arch enemy is back in town, she dreads running into him. Baxter is at the center of some of her most embarrassing childhood memories. She’s more than happy to avoid Baxter until he apologizes and suggests a truce. Now what is she supposed to do? Only time will tell whether the spirit of Christmas in Romance is enough to transform a grudging relationship into true love.  Holding Onto Love in Romance by Liwen Y. Ho Releasing: November 3rd She’s a small town inn owner learning how to trust. He’s a big time singer struggling to protect the woman he loves. Together, they must fight to keep their romance alive. Being engaged to America’s hottest pop star brings Izzy Sutton’s insecurities to the surface, making her question if she can handle life in the public eye. Complications multiply when her ex shows up on her doorstep two weeks before the wedding, with nowhere to live. Through hard work and determination, Chase Lockhart climbed the Top 40 charts and won the hand of the only woman he’s ever loved. Helping Izzy overcome her cold feet, however, proves to be more challenging than expected, especially when he’s away on tour days before their wedding. With their Christmas Eve wedding fast approaching, Izzy and Chase face the biggest decision of their relationship. Will they allow their circumstances to divide them or will they find enough reasons to keep holding onto love?  A Reel Christmas in Romance by J.J. DiBenedetto Releasing: November 4th Owner of the lone movie theater in Romance, Marianne Carter loves the old movies she shows on the big screen. She’s just struck up an email friendship with a newcomer to town. Unaware of his identity but feeling loyal to him, she fights her attraction to a handsome man she keeps bumping into around town. Under a false identity, Jack Nelson comes to Romance to investigate the historic movie theater and decide if it should receive the status of a historical landmark. Little does he know the woman sending him charming emails is the same one who owns the theater. While Marianne’s theater plays the old classic film The Shop Around the Corner, Marianne and Jack unknowingly play out the same story in real life. Will they figure it out in time to write their own happy ending?  A Christmas Carol in Romance by Franky A. Brown Releasing: November 5th Christmas is coming to Romance, Oregon…but for Andy McKay, it’s only a reminder of the day the love of his life walked away. Guilted into playing Scrooge as a young man in the town’s production of A Christmas Carol, Andy unexpectedly finds himself acting alongside his girlfriend of romance past. Cassie Winston has spent the past year traveling, writing, and regretting that she left the man she loved behind her. She’s afraid the old adage about how you can never go home again might be true. It’s hard enough to convince Andy to consider giving them a second chance, and acting with him in Scrooge and Belle’s breakup scene certainly doesn’t help. As ghosts from the past resurface, can they find a way to create a new future together?  Santa's Visit in Romance by Jessica L. Elliott Releasing: November 6th Santa’s got his work cut out for him to help a reluctant couple find love during the holidays. Marshall Duncan swore off women when his wife ran away, leaving him with an infant to raise alone. But a newcomer to Romance might just change his mind, with some help from a mysterious friend and his precocious daughter, Savannah. Latiesha Harris lost everything when her fiance left her in Denver. Hoping to escape her mother’s judgment, Latiesha goes to Romance to stay with an old sorority sister. But when she meets Katie’s childhood friend, there’s no denying the sparks between them. When Nick Klauss gets a Santa letter by mistake, he can’t help but try to make the little girl’s wish come true. But how can a retired cowboy give Savannah a mommy by Christmas?  Join the authors of the Christmas in Romance series for a celebration on Facebook! There will be giveaways and holiday fun! Trust me, you won't want to miss it!
 Check out these great new releases this month. September 1st  Anonymously Yours by Rachel John Unrequited love is playing havoc with their friendship… Ashley Parker’s in an office full of eligible men but there’s no way she’s dating again, not after her worst breakup yet. Except one day, a secret admirer starts leaving gifts on her desk: small, thoughtful tokens that make her take a closer look at everyone around her. Chase Reynolds knows he’s firmly in the friendzone with his coworker, Ashley. He’s been her listening ear after every breakup, including the last one, a guy security had to be warned not to let in the building. And after walking her out to her car every night for more than a year, it’s time to accept that things will never change. But after hearing their department’s about to be eliminated, Chase comes up with a bold plan to win Ashley over before they’re all fired and he never sees her again.  The Star's Fake Marriage by Bree Livingston A reporter desperate to prove herself, a country music singer with a chip on his shoulder, and a second chance at love. Callie Chapman is tired of hiding behind a pen name and lying to her family. Out of the blue, her editor gives her the ultimate opportunity—marry country superstar Tucker Hawk and get the inside scoop for her magazine. There’s only one problem. They dated before he made it big, and she’s never gotten over him. Tucker Hawk’s been America’s favorite country music star until the past year when a nasty breakup sent him spiraling. The CEO of his label has the perfect plan to get him back in the good graces of the public—a fake wife for the self-professed eternal bachelor. When he finds out the woman they’ve chosen is a love that got away, good memories resurface. But he’s been used too many times since then and trust isn’t something he gives away for free anymore. When fate brings them together again, they wonder if they should take a chance on love or just play their parts.  Abandoned Hope by Angelique Conger A string of beads. A forbidden book. An unexpected love. Young, innocent, trader Daphne, from the family of Adam, travels to the forbidden city of Nod searching for the Lost Children. After her father is abducted, she struggles to free him. The son of one of the Lost Children assists her in every way he can, falling in love with her. When it comes to a choice of her copy of the Book of Commandments, or her father, she chooses the sacred book. If her father isn’t freed she will be stranded in a wicked city. September 3rd  Hide it In Your Heart in 2019 by Annie Douglass Lima This 2019 calendar features a Bible verse for each week in creative fonts that can be colored in. A wide variety of holidays are listed, both traditional and unusual. (Do you know when Appreciate a Dragon Day is? How about Lost Sock Memorial Day?) You’ll have plenty of room to record your activities and appointments in the section for each day and week. After every month, you’ll find word puzzles featuring key words from that month's scriptures and holidays. Prepare for a year full of coloring and fun that will help you hide God's Word in your heart in 2019 without even trying! September 8th  Trail to Clear Creek by Kit Morgan Honoria Sayer and her husband Benedict had a dream. Go to America with their three sons, travel west, and start a cattle ranch. Unfortunately, Benedict only made it as far as Independence, Missouri. Her husband gone, Honoria must choose. Go West and fulfill his dream, or go back to England? She chooses the dream. And, as luck would have it, to make it a reality, she must do the unthinkable. Get married. Jefferson Cooke wasn't looking for a wife. Heck, he and his two sons were heading West to make a fresh start. Then along came Honoria Sayer. Beautiful, refined, a real lady. Not to mention a disaster on the Oregon Trail. So why was he considering the unthinkable? Enjoy this sweet, clean, western romance set against the backdrop of the Oregon Trail! And check out the rest of the books in the Thanksgiving Books and Blessings Collection One Series.  Winter in the Mitten: A Collection of Writings Winter in the Mitten is filled with writings of humor, reflection, and perhaps some that might stir your memory and emotions. Each story is unique, just as the wonderful individuals who wrote them. The winter themed diverse anthology features fiction, memoirs, and poetry highlighting the best aspects of this season. You don’t want to miss some of the personal miracles shared or the vivid imagination of our fiction and poetry writers. For many of Shiawassee Area Writers, these are their first publications. They’ve worked diligently with rewrites, edits, deadlines, and revisions. They’ve gained knowledge about guidelines, formatting, and grammar. Each member dedicated to master the skills of writing for publication, seeking to make their stories the best they can be. For SAW’s seasoned authors, this is a special way to give back. We would like to share this blessing with you, our readers. This winter season and always; may your hearts be filled with forgiveness, joy, gratitude, hope, and the greatest of these, love. Because…everyone has a story, but few have the courage to share them. September 9th  That Song in Patagonia by Kristy Tate When Adrienne discovers her husband, Seb, has been unfaithful, the illusion of her perfect life is indelibly shattered and she flees. Nick, a shop owner who suddenly finds himself the center of media attention, follows. They both escape to Latin America for different reasons. Adrienne is tired turning a blind eye to her husband’s affairs. Nick trails after her, not only because he’s become an overnight YouTube sensation and he doesn’t know how to handle it, but also because he’s secretly been in love with Adrienne, his cousin’s wife, for years. Two people with hurting hearts and unrealized dreams explore the streets of Buenos Aires and the South American countryside, and it changes them both forever. And what they find in each other is something that might just heal them both.  Autumn's Embrace by Laura D. Bastian The last thing Abby wants to do is clean out her great-aunt’s house that she just inherited, but she needs to get it ready to sell. It doesn’t help that the arrogant man she met in town happens to be her new neighbor. Luke can’t believe the little girl who’d followed him around when she’d stayed with his mother’s old neighbor has grown up to be such a beautiful and feisty woman. As Luke helps Abby remodel the old home to get it ready to sell, he comes to realize she might just be what he was missing from his life. Can the two of them give up their dreams to build something better together? September 10th  Selkie's Song by Kimberly A. Rogers A selkie’s song can enchant a man and tame the sea . . . Naia’s unusual love for human things led her to become the sole artisan in her clan. But when this passion leads to her abduction, she loses more than contact with the sea when her pelt is taken. Unable to shift forms or return to the sea without it, she knows she will die if she cannot recover the pelt soon. Cut off from her family, Naia must appease the human king while persuading his lovesick son to honor past arrangements. Malik has loved and lost before, an experience leading him to shy away from love. When Naia is stranded, however, he risks everything to find her. Together they uncover a plot that would sweep up humans and selkies alike in a war that would destroy the Five Kingdoms and possibly all of Sonera. When the enemy acts, can they save sea and land . . . and each other?  Common Ground by Alicia Best When Maddie Lee is forced to deal with a businessman she despises from the get-go, she is determined to stand her ground. Adrian Knight has always had a high opinion of himself, for the simple reason that in the mirror, he only sees perfection, unaware of how unattractive this makes him to all but the most superficial of women. But he starts to wonder if he's met his match when he comes up against Maddie, as they are thrown into a collaboration against a new threat in Shady Piers. Are there the beginnings of a grudging appreciating of each other, and even more surprising, the rumblings of a much deeper relationship? September 11th  Place Called Home by Brenda S. Anderson All she wants is a settled place to call home. He can't wait to make home a life-long road trip. All Tessa Chanson ever wanted was a stable place to call home. She thought she'd found that when she moved in with Jared--until his home became her prison. When his control escalates, the only answer is to escape--an escape that's hampered when she falls and fractures her ankle. While building his graphic design company, Nate Brooks is focused on the future he's dreamed of: traveling around the country from the comfort of his renovated school bus. But when he picks up a wounded, mysterious hitchhiker, those well-laid plans take a backseat to protecting her. Hobbled by her injury, Tessa fears she'll never find freedom. Or has she found it with the family who graciously opens their home to her? And will Nate's protection put his family--and his heart--at risk? September 12th  The Billionaire's Reckless Marriage by Tamie Dearen The one man Laurie Fields would most like to avoid just became her boss. A thousand women would love to be in her shoes, working up-close-and-personal with billionaire philanthropist, Finn Anderson. Though alluring at first glance, he’s less than charming around Laurie. She’s not about to cut him any slack, even if her job depends on it. Cystic fibrosis is an ever-present enemy for Finn Anderson. He may look healthy, but chances are he won’t live to collect Social Security. That’s why he has to be careful never to fall in love. So far, he’s been pretty safe, since he drives away every woman who gets close. When unforeseen circumstances force Laurie and Finn to work together, Finn finds his walls crumbling, and Laurie begins to care more than she will admit for this secretly thoughtful man. But his rejection has her on the run. Can he catch her in time?  Eubeltic Descent by Nadine C. Keels Your soul will remember... As a woman who wasn't born to wealth or privilege, Abigaia has mastered the art of thievery. And she's come to hate it. Not only is she plagued by guilt, but her shadowed upbringing and silent ways cause most of her town to question her sanity. Yet, Abigaia's eccentric father always taught her to be proud of her heritage. Her ancestry lies across the sea, in a prominent realm she's read about but has never seen. The man who desires Abigaia's hand in marriage doesn't share her hope of seeing the Eubeltic Realm. But disaster erupts in their path, and Abigaia's dream may have a greater purpose—if that famed domain of her ancestors is now in crucial need of her.  Shelter from the Storm by Kristen Ethridge ONLY THE FORCE OF A HURRICANE COULD BRING THESE TWO RIVALS TOGETHER... As the director of the Port Provident Animal Shelter, Becca Collins had devoted her life to helping the furriest residents of Port Provident. When a special Labrador retriever needs her help on the eve of Hurricane Hope, Becca can't say no--even if it means she'll have to ride out the hurricane on Provident Island. She doesn't have the supplies to properly take care of a geriatric dog with specific medical needs, but she knows who does--her greatest opposition for a new town animal shelter, local veterinarian Dr. Ross Reeder. With the storm looming only hours away, Becca has no other choice but to show up on his doorstep, throwing a wrench into Ross' plans to evacuate himself and his combat-weary former Army dog. Ross and Becca are used to disagreeing with one another, but they soon realize the only way they're going to survive the wrath of Hurricane Hope is to put their differences aside and work for the good of the animals who depend totally on them. As they discover they have more in common than they thought, they work to rebuild the Texas beach town where they've both put down roots. But then Becca learns secrets about her past that threaten to change the whole direction of her life. As she struggles with love, faith, and lies, will she still need the shelter she's found in Ross' arms or will the aftermath of the storm take away everything they've worked to build?  The Billionaire Land Baron by Emma St. Clair Jake is the big-city billionaire. Shelby is the small-town sweetheart. Opposites attract, but there's one little problem: her home is the final land he needs for his new development. When Jake travels to Lucky, Texas to finalize the details of his billion-dollar development, falling in love was not a part of the plan. But the feisty and beautiful Shelby has him questioning everything--especially when he realizes that her land is an integral to the success of his project. Shelby feels trapped in Lucky. After her mother has run off, she's left caring for her disabled veteran father. Jake gives her a glimpse of all that she's missing and makes her wonder if love might be possible for her after all. When she finds out that Jake is the reason she's losing her land, can she find it in her heart to forgive? Or is this the proof that a happy-ever-after is just out of reach? With plenty of sass, a few shakes of humor, and an alligator named T-Ball, you'll laugh and cry along with these one-of-a-kind characters in this clean romance. September 13th  Flavors of Forever by Valerie Comer God’s love is the gold mending broken hearts and dreams As her friends pair off, Kassidy North thinks happily-ever-after has passed her by, but she’s too busy running a busy bistro and once-a-month cooking club to be bothered by it. Much. Until a single dad moves into the neighborhood and threatens to invade her dreams and well-ordered life. Metal sculptor Wesley Ferguson is a cynic when it comes to romance, but something in Kass makes him want to believe again. He’s not so sure he agrees when she insists forever love begins with God. What has God ever done for him? Unable to avoid one another in the close-knit community of Bridgeview, Kass and Wesley develop the beginnings of a friendship. But when relationships break around them, can they see God as the glue capable of holding broken pieces together… forever? September 14th  The Mourning Rose by Morgan Smith Manners meet magic in this tale, where curses mix with curtseys, and Charm takes on a whole new dimension Georgette Heyer and Jane Austen fans will love this romantic fantasy, set in a Regency that never was. Eglantine Mayland is this Season’s Reigning Toast, and seems destined to make a good marriage. When the wealthy Lord Valremer, a confirmed bachelor, begins to court her seriously, Eglantine’s cousin Polyantha senses that not all is well. Too many of his actions seem to be part of a web of evil that twines itself around the Mayland family. And why is a well-known rogue and smuggler so interested in their plight? September 15th  The Hourglass by Hannah Ross Times are changing inside and outside the Boundary. Many citizens are becoming restless, moving out to resettle the wilderness. Those already outside, especially the once-abandoned children who are now young adults, find having more neighbors brings both blessings and problems. Within the Boundary, President Dahl has renewed his quest for the life-extension formula as he faces reelection. Confident of victory, he is unaware his youngest daughter, Priscilla, is determined to sabotage his campaign and end his evil reign. When she runs away and slips across the Boundary, she discovers people and lives that are nothing like what she imagined and was taught, and soon finds herself in the company of the Wild Children. Aided by illegally born Benjamin Grey and others, she eludes the government agents searching for her and bides her time, knowing every day of her absence worsens the scandal she hopes will destroy her father's popularity. And as Ben shows her more and more of his wild, untamed world, she finds herself facing a choice between freedom and forbidden love, and a return to a cloistered life of luxury, privilege, and power. Will Dahl sacrifice his daughter to his ambitions? Will Priscilla be able to elude capture and turn the course of the election? And how will the Wild Children deal with the unexpected return of an old enemy? Discover the answers and more in The Hourglass, Book Two of the Wild Children series. September 18th  Relic of His Heart by Jane Lebak A midwife has a chance to right a seventy-year-old wrong. Tessa delivers babies at night and raises five sons by day. When an angel appears after a birth and asks for help on a quest, her first response is, “Angels don’t even exist,” followed by a swift, “No.” Even after he proves he exists (and lets her call him Martin) she wants nothing to do with his quest: Martin wants to find a relic stolen at the end of World War II, when the town of Barlassina was torched and its church destroyed. The relic went into the pocket of a long-dead soldier and hasn’t been seen since. Without the relic, the church won’t be rebuilt; without the church, Barlassina will die. It's been gone for eight decades, but Martin senses the relic is about to be “birthed back into time.” He wants Tessa there when it happens. There's only one chance to make it right, and he’s desperate. Tessa’s family comes from that town, but really? Still no. When a bill threatens to end midwifery in Massachusetts, Tessa offers Martin a deal: she’ll hunt for the relic if he’ll help kill that legislation. An unlikely team, they start sifting through the past and the present, the lives of soldiers and the deaths of innocents, guilty consciences and a few consciences that aren’t nearly guilty enough. The further they delve into the mystery, though, the more obvious it becomes that there’s more to Martin’s story. And the key to uncovering the relic may lie in whatever it is he's trying to keep hidden. September 20th  Heart Captivated by Lindsay Bergman Two sisters. One prince. A complicated love triangle that could ruin everything. Twenty-one-year-old Brielle Parker no longer believes in fairytales—not when her life in the country has led to nothing but heartache. When she first meets the second-born prince of Coradova, she refuses to be dazzled by his teasing smile and inviting blue eyes. After all, she’s not looking for her happily-ever-after. But the charming Prince Ashton is impossible to resist. During their summer together in Coradova, the sparks continue to fly until Brielle can no longer deny her growing feelings for him. When her twin sister gives her heart to Ashton as well, Brielle must choose between her twin, or the prince who made her believe that love is worth the risk. September 26th  He Leadeth Me by Faith Blum Love can be complicated Thirteen years ago, Gage Wilhelm, his brother, and sisters lost their parents and moved away to his uncle’s ranch in Leavenworth, leaving the farm in Topeka. On his twenty-first birthday, Gage receives the deed to his father’s farm with his uncle’s blessing to go make it his own. Once at the farm, Gage reconnects with his childhood friend, Danny and his family, including their newly adopted daughter, Laura. As he settles into life on the farm, he visits Danny and his family often, considering them a family away from his family. A few months later, a mysterious man shows up, claiming Gage’s father owed a large sum of money that has accrued thirteen years of interest. Gage is confused and unsure of what to do and Danny convinces him to go to the ranch to talk to his uncle. What will Gage do when he learns of his father’s past? Will he let God lead him no matter what happens? September 27th  Dream of Her Heart by Shanna Hatfield Is there room for love in a time of war? Days before he must ship out to prepare for a dangerous mission in the Pacific, Lieutenant Zane West crosses Oregon to see a good friend who has been wounded in action. He arrives at the veteran’s hospital, only to discover the army captain has disappeared without a trace. As Zane searches for answers, he finds himself captivated by a beautiful and spunky nurse who offers her help. Is she the key to his future, or an unwelcome distraction from his important wartime mission? Nurse Billie Brighton puts her heart and boundless energy into caring for wounded soldiers, but she vowed long ago never to let one of the dashing rogues turn her head. That is, until a handsome lieutenant arrives seeking his missing friend. Thoroughly enchanted, she can’t help but break her own rules. Has she finally found the love she secretly longs for, or is she headed for heartbreak? Step back in time to 1942 with a sweet, charming World War II romance full of history, heart, and a happily ever after.  The Green Princess Trilogy: Fallow by H.L. Burke Joined by magic. Separated by kings. United in love. Two years ago, Kit's blossoming plant magic put a target on her back and forced her to flee for her life, leaving her beloved Prince Bryce behind. Now established as the leader of the rebel flora magi, she clings to hope that they can be reunited. However, the arrival of the charming and persistent Regyn, heir to the supposedly extinct quickened magi, challenges her fidelity. The events surrounding Kit's flight broke Bryce's heart and damaged his faith in his family. Now he buries himself in his work as a Keeper, hunting bandits in the wilds. He longs to find Kit again, though his uncle's magic prevents him from seeking her. Then his manipulative cousin, Crown Prince Langstyn, offers him a chance at a truce, but only if Bryce agrees to a political marriage. Angering Langstyn could cost Bryce everything, but how can he betray the vows he made to Kit? As powers within the kingdom fight for dominance, Kit and Bryce are caught in the currents of schemes not of their making. Schemes that could bring them together, or tear them apart forever.  Check out these new releases from authors involved with American Christian Fiction Writers. You're sure to find a new favorite! Contemporary Romance:
A Baby for the Minister by Laurel Blount — Jilted at the altar, Natalie Davis has no one she can turn to—until Jacob Stone steps in. The single minister’s drawn to the beautiful mommy-to-be and wants to help…even if it goes against his congregation’s wishes and could cost him his job. But when she refuses to accept charity, can he convince her she’s more than a ministry project? (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin]) Courting Her Secret Heart by Mary Davis — Deborah Miller lives a double life as an Amish woman—and a fashion model! All photography is forbidden in her Plain community, so she must keep her job a secret. But when Amos Burkholder starts helping at her family’s farm, hiding the truth from him is impossible. And soon she must choose between the Englischer world of modeling and the Amish man she’s come to love. (Contemporary Amish Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin]) 12 Gifts of Christmas by Lena Nelson Dooley — Can Malcolm MacGregor, a contemporary descendant of Scottish lairds, capture the heart of Brazilian-Italian beauty, Alanza Cantalamessa, in 12 days? (Contemporary Romance from Whitaker House) All Made Up by Kara Isaac — Katriona McLeod has never gotten over Caleb Murphy, the one guy she’s ever loved. When she accepts a job as a make up artist on the latest looking-for-love reality TV show, Falling for the Farmer, she discovers to her horror that Caleb is the leading man and she’s cast as one of his harem. But she hides a secret that means that even if she wanted a second chance with the guy who broke her heart she could never have it. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published) An Amish Holiday Wedding by Carrie Lighte — On the brink of losing her bakery, the last thing Faith Yoder’s interested in is courting—until Hunter Schwartz returns to Willow Creek. After hiring him to deliver her treats to a Christmas festival, Faith’s determined their relationship will stay strictly professional. But despite a secret that’s kept her single, Faith can’t help but wish she and Hunter could become husband and wife. (Contemporary Amish Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin]) Cozy Mystery: Deadly Holiday by Marissa Shrock — The Christmas season greets Georgia Winston with a new boyfriend (maybe), a Christmas program to run, and a man dying at her feet. (Cozy Mystery, Independently Published) General Contemporary/Women’s Fiction From the Lake to the River by JPC Allen, Bettie Boswell, Carole Brown, Sandra Merville Hart, Tamera Lynn Kraft, Sharyn Kopf, Michelle Levigne, Cindy Thomson, and Rebecca Waters — Set in Ohio, in the past and present, these nine short stories and novellas by Ohio authors cover a wide range of genres, topics and locations. From Troy in the west to the North Coast and south-central Ohio. From Lake Erie to the Ohio River. From romance to YA adventure, with touches of mystery and humor. Dealing with historical events and situations, such as floods and the lasting effects of the Civil War. With characters involved in square dancing, theater, and music. Dealing with loss and danger, a second chance at love and taking a chance on love for the first time. Chances are good, no matter what you have a taste for reading, you’ll find something to like. Welcome to a taste of the Buckeye State! (General Contemporary from Mt Zion Ridge Press) Place Called Home by Brenda S. Anderson — While building his graphic design company, Nate Brooks is focused on the future he’s dreamed of: traveling around the country from the comfort of his renovated school bus. But when he picks up a wounded, mysterious hitchhiker, those well-laid plans take a backseat to protecting her. Hobbled by her injury, and unable to keep running from her controlling ex, Tessa fears she’ll never find freedom. Or has she found it with the family who graciously opens their home to her? And will Nate’s protection put his family–and his heart–at risk? (Women’s Fiction, Independently Published) Swimming in the Deep End by Christina Suzann Nelson — Jillian Connors has big expectations for her teenage daughter, Gabby, an Olympic hopeful—until Gabby becomes pregnant with her boyfriend Travis’s child. Meanwhile, Margaret Owens is furious that Gabby’s condition jeopardizes her son’s baseball scholarship. In the midst of the family drama lies the fate of the unborn baby. What does the future hold for him? (General Contemporary from Kregel Publications) Historical: Hidden Among the Stars by Melanie Dobson — A gripping time-slip novel about hidden treasure, a castle, and ordinary people who resisted the evils of the Hitler regime in their own extraordinary way. (Historical from Tyndale House) Everything She Didn’t Say by Jane Kirkpatrick — A Victorian woman who traveled 15,000 miles by stage between 1870-98 decides to tell the story behind her memoir believing her husband will never see it. (Historical from Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group) Enya’s Son by Cindy Thomson — This retelling of the early life of St. Columcille and his mother will usher readers on a fateful journey through ancient Ireland’s monastic centers, her wild coastline islands, and the land Columcille believed was filled with holy angels, a place where he felt safe … yet was destined to abandon. (Historical, Independently Published) Historical Romance: Victorian Christmas Brides by C.J. Chase, Susanne Dietze, Rita Gerlach, Kathleen L. Maher, Gabrielle Meyer, Carrie Fancett Pagels, Vanessa Riley, Lorna Seilstads, and Erica Vetsch — Faced with the daily extremes of gluttony and want in the Victorian Era, nine women seek to create the perfect Christmas celebrations. But will expectations and pride cause them to overlook imperfect men who offer true love? (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing) Esther’s Temptation by Lena Nelson Dooley — Saddle weary, former deputy US Marshal Jac Andrews rides into Denton, Texas hunting a swindler-and-daughter criminal team and finally feels he’s caught up to them. Unfortunately, he becomes distracted by the lovely redhead, Esther Brians. Esther, feeling like an old maid surrounded by all her close friends who are happy married couples, is drawn to the intense gaze, blue as the Texas sky, of an unknown cowboy. But several things cause her to become wary of his intentions—and his spiritual well-being. Has this unsaved lawman captured Esther’s heart or will the Lord deliver her from the temptation of Jac’s presence? What will it take for Jac to win this lovely lady and become Esther’s husband? (Historical Romance, Independently Published) The Sound of Distant Thunder by Jan Drexler — Katie Stuckey and Jonas Weaver are both romantics. Seventeen-year-old Katie is starry-eyed, in love with the idea of being in love, and does not want to wait to marry Jonas until she is eighteen, despite her parents’ insistence. So much can happen in a year. Twenty-year-old Jonas is taken in by the romance of soldiering, especially in defense of anti-slavery, even though he knows war is at odds with the teachings of the church. When his married brother’s name comes up in the draft list, he volunteers to take his brother’s place. But can the commitment Katie and Jonas have made to each other survive the separation? (Historical Romance from Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group) Romantic Suspense: Loving the Texas Negotiator by Mary Connealy — Beth Garrison is the top hostage negotiator in Rocky Ridge Texas. She’s called in to a task force to investigate a killing that is a copy cat of her first bust as a rookie cop. The Valentine Killer. Tate McCade, with the best arrest record on the force and a reputation for steamrolling anyone who gets in his way, heads the task force. He’s had a run-in with Beth and her oversized ego. He’s got a bruise on his face to prove it. Rather than have the pleasure of busting her back to walking a beat, he has to work with her. And the clock is ticking because there’s a woman and child missing and nothing about the crime adds up. (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published) Speculative: Guardian of Ajalon by Joan Campbell — The poison tree path is Shara’s road home. . .if she and her companions can survive the journey. In the danger and darkness of the forest, her only respite is in the story unlocked in the Old Tongue book. In this vivid world, Shara finally discovers what she has longed for all her life: the key to the secrets of her past. Yet time is running out for Shara—and all of Tirragyl—as Lord Lucian, King Alexor, and the royal army attack the Guardian Grotto to claim the powerful Guardian Rock. Unwilling to sit idly by as her kingdom is destroyed, Queen Nyla leaves her hiding place to recruit a most unlikely army—the Charab. But how can she win over the infamous assassins who have been oppressed by her family for generations? (Speculative Allegory from Enclave Publishing)  August is a big month for new releases. Check them out below and find your next read! August 1st  Another June with You by Krista Noorman Shannon McGregor never expected to run into her high school sweetheart, especially not as the best man of the wedding she’s photographing. But Micah’s back, as handsome and charming as she remembered, and pressing her for the truth about why she ended their relationship—a truth she’d rather keep to herself. Life is good. Micah Shaw has a job he loves, great friends, and a wonderful girl by his side. But seeing his first love again opens his eyes to the charade he’s been living without her. He never really got over Shannon or the dreams they had for their future—dreams she seemed to casually brush aside when she broke things off a decade ago without much explanation. As wedding events unfold, avoiding Micah is impossible, and with their connection as strong as ever, Shannon finds herself battling the desire to tell him everything. How long will they circle the truth before Shannon admits defeat? And what does it matter when he’ll be gone by Sunday? A sweet, clean second chance romance. The first book in the McGregor Family series.  The Cowboy's Fake Marriage by Bree Livingston A designer who’s lost her job, a cowboy with a crumbling home, and a business arrangement that’s mutually beneficial. When Grace Maddox breaks down in Willow Valley, Texas, she finds herself suddenly jobless and staying at a rundown bed and breakfast. The only benefit, besides the handsome and rugged cowboy who owns it, is the gorgeous old house that's begging to be restored. But when she overhears his ex threatening to force him to sell the place, she can’t help but rush in to save the place by claiming to be his fiancée. Jackson Bellamy’s ex-wife leaves nothing but trouble in her wake. When she shows up at his family’s 1800’s bed and breakfast and demands that he take her back or her father will foreclose on his property, he’s stuck between a rock and a hard place. But when his mysterious and pretty guest jumps to his rescue, his ex gives him the bad news that he has three months to sell the place or pay it off. Now, Jackson and Grace must keep the illusion going as they work together to save the family home and maybe, in the process, save each other.  Joe: A Novella by Jessica Marie Holt A poignant story of heartache, friendship, and second chances, this novella brings the Homecoming short story series to its compelling and emotional end. Outwardly, Joe Piper has a charmed existence. He lives in a small, picturesque coastal town, and spends his days tending his garden, hanging out on his boat, and running his restaurant. Inwardly, he is falling apart. A long-ago tragedy still casts a shadow over his life, and recent turn of events has brought him from despondency to the brink of despair. That is, until two wayward strangers show up unexpectedly, bringing chaos, hope, and meaning into his static, lonely existence. Will he finally put the pieces of his life back together? Or will things fall apart on him yet again?  The Earl and His Lady by Sally Britton Lady Virginia Macon, the recently widowed Baroness of Heatherton, has an impossible decision to make. Her late husband’s unscrupulous brother demands guardianship of her sons. The courts are on his side, unless she marries someone willing to stand in her late husband’s place. Locking her heart away and devoting herself to her children is the only way Virginia can countenance such a decision. Wearied by the world, Lucas Calvert, Earl of Annesbury, is tired of being alone. His wife’s passing six years previous left his life gray and empty. His only recourse has been to make life better for those around him, using his considerable wealth and influence. When he learns of Virginia’s plight, he knows he can save her and her sons. During one of the rainiest summers in England’s history, Virginia and her children bring light and color back into Lucas’s life. But will Virginia’s determination to protect her heart destroy their possibility of finding happiness together?  Willow Wood by Sheri Richey Nolan Ramsey thinks he wants to be alone. He leaves his life in the city, leaves his job as a news reporter, and buys a house in the middle of nowhere. He plans a life of complete isolation with just his dog, Scuba, for company. Calinda Willow returns home to help her aging father at the end of his life. She copes with the loss by throwing herself into her work, rejects social invitations from her friend, Jackie, and thinks she is content with her solitary life. They are both wrong.  In the Nick of Time by Susette Williams Faith Tillerson loves her job as a school teacher but it doesn’t leave much opportunity to meet eligible bachelors—unless you count divorced fathers and perhaps a stalker. Nick Claussen knows he’s a workaholic but what’s a guy to do when murder doesn’t take a holiday? Hopefully they’ll be able to get through the holidays alive.  To Collar the Cat by Joan Lightning The Guardians of Reyth face the greatest threat in history as their ancient enemy begins his campaign of conquest. Trerin, a young shapeshifter, is missing. Injured and trapped in the form of a cat, he is lost, trying to find his way home with a warning - the invasion has begun. Crystu, one of the most powerful of the Guardians, has had a vision showing her and her Ponfour, Tam, fastening a collar and leash onto a cat and forcing the animal to go where they order. Crystu must find Trerin and understand the vision. Why must she collar the cat? Where is Trerin? Is he the cat? If he is, what is the collar? The answers will lead her and Tam into conflict with their leaders, to an ancient book of forbidden spells, and to a stark choice between inevitable defeat or a dishonourable chance to escape a terrible fate. August 4th  Tales of Ever After: A Fellowship of Fantasy Anthology Rescue a princess, meet a mermaid, win your reward. The authors of the Fellowship of Fantasy tackle fairy tales from once upon a time to happily ever after. Explore twists on old tales and brand new magical stories. Meet feisty mermaids, friendly lampposts, and heroes who just might be monsters themselves. This fourth anthology from the Fellowship of Fantasy will lead you on a quest for entertainment and storm the castle of your imagination. So make a wish and enter the deep dark woods to find stories that will make you laugh, shiver, and maybe even fall in love.  Happiness is a Collage by Gita V. Reddy This collection of fifteen stories leads the reader into a world that is at once Indian and universal. The stories explore love, life, loss, and relationships. A painter derives inspiration from a long lost love. Every night after going to bed, a woman scours a vast desert for her missing husband. A young woman strides through two worlds. A son experiences the miracle of his father’s immense love. An actor’s wife struggles to keep her husband from slipping into his reel life. And a busy professional tries to factor in pregnancy and motherhood into her hectic life. Among those traversing this space are a henpecked billionaire, a homeless boy, a middle-aged wife dealing with infidelity, and a seeker finding solace with a lion and a deer. August 6th  Freedom's Kiss by Sarah Monzon They were prisoners of the past. Could legacy be the key to set them free? Olivia Arroyo knows who she is and where she’s going—her sense of family responsibility a stepping-stone to her dream of becoming a chef. When her employer refuses her the chance to move from server to the kitchen, she makes another opportunity for herself with the owner of a new food truck. But her life derails when a hidden piece of her past suddenly comes to light, and she discovers everything she thought she knew about herself has been a lie. A single decision can have innumerable consequences—a truth that has changed Adam Carrington’s life. A criminal defense attorney turned food truck owner, he is haunted by his role in an unpardonable act and driven by his need to make restitution. Unexpected help comes in the form of a feisty, raven-haired beauty, but she soon begins challenging his kitchen as well as his heart. Florida, 1816 Propelled by a fleeting hope of freedom, Winnie and her family escape slavery and find refuge and new life with the Seminole Indians of Florida. But their future is still uncertain as threats of war, a return to slavery, and removal to the West shake their tentative grasp on freedom. Will they ever step out of the shadow of fear to leave a legacy of deliverance?  Claron by Katharine E. Hamilton Tossing her belongings into a suitcase and escaping heartbreak seemed like the best idea for Rhea Conners. She’d simply travel across the ocean to visit her grandfather in Ireland and heal. Then she’d come back. Simple. But what she doesn’t expect is to find solace and healing in the form of the O’Rifcan family. One member in particular: Claron. Claron enjoyed his life farming the land his grandparents gifted him. He lived his life quietly and contentedly, until Rhea arrived. He’d steered clear of relationships and entanglements since his last heartbreak, but something about Roland’s granddaughter twists him up inside. Something about Rhea has him rethinking his life of solitude. Two hearts. One chance. Can Rhea and Claron overcome past hurts to make a new beginning? August 7th  Lawfully His by Natalie Middleton Melissa Campbell was losing everything. She risked everything when she packed up and moved to Longview, Texas to Cape Elizabeth, Maine. She was a newbie K-9 Officer with her German Shepard Jimmy, and her colleagues made sure she knew it. Melissa's confidence was battered, even though she was still recovering from leaving an abusive ex. Some wounds just did not heal. Erik Flynn was a bestselling author. Not him, actually, his pen name, Pat Harrington was. After churning out dozens of mysteries that won acclaim, Erik stared at blank pages every day. To escape his frustration (and his publisher), he moved to a small town he randomly found on the map. He was belligerent, frustrated, and a recluse. But when he sees a brave police officer standing up to a drug addict, something changes for him. Her defeated eyes spoke to him, and even though he tried, he just couldn't let go. When Erik overhears some police officers giving Melissa trouble, all he wants to do is protect her. When a shaky friendship ensues, Erik finds peace he has not known before. Writing seems to flow faster, and Erik is in awe of the woman he is slowly falling in love with. Even Jimmy, the German Shepard seems to approve. Their "friendship" seems to steady Melissa as her performance at work improves. But when her abusive ex visits town, every strand of sanity that Melissa has threatens to collapse. Erik may have considered their relationship as being friends, but for Melissa, his support means so much more. She starts to fall for the man with a rough exterior, only to find a gentle and considerate man behind the mask. But when her past collides with her present, it takes all her strength to hold on. When possibly the biggest case of her career lands in her lap, she needs to find a strength she does not have to lead Jimmy. Can Melissa finally find her peace among her challenges? With Erik's help, can she truly set her past free? Can Erik let go of his hesitations and be with the woman he loves?  Beyond Broken Pencils by Julie C. Gilbert He has a goal and a plan. If he carries through with the plan, his sister will die first. His ex will die next, and he will die last. In between, he’ll take out as many people as he can. Students. Security guards. Teachers. First responders. They are all fair game. Who will live, and who will die? How will those who live go on when their world is shattered by unthinkable tragedy? *** Contains scenes of graphic violence. Reader discretion advised. *** August 12th  Promise Me Forever by Natalie Middleton Arianna Belmonte loved her life as a programmer. But an urgent SOS from her sister brings her back to her winery home in tranquil St. Helena. Things are not so calm when she learns her childhood home is going to be sold off and there are suspicious threats to her father. When she digs in, the mystery deepens, with no answers from her father. Alex Garner knows one thing when he returns to St. Helena : He is not a cheater and he has done nothing wrong. Suspended from his Seattle firm for a leak he didn't cause, he meets his old flame Arianna Belmonte who consults him to set aside her childhood home's sale. There is only one problem; he can't help falling in love with her. The last time he fell in love with her, he promised her togetherness, only to have life come in between. When both their problems collide, can Alex and Arianna keep their wits together? What are the mysteries behind Arianna's father? And what does that have to do with Alex? Will this problem bring them together or tear them apart? August 14th  When Love Is Lost by Kameo Monson Married to the same boring guy for twenty-seven years, Deb cleans her house, volunteers at the public library, and attends church. For decades, her only excitement has been her Saturday shopping trips with her friend, Betty. Then, one summer, Deb’s life changes. She meets new friends and questions her desires as a mysterious man, whom she calls Parks, finds his way into her heart. Now, she has to decide whether to forego her marriage or work to save it. While Deb’s life spins with excitement, Betty’s life spins out of control as her darkest secret becomes her reality again. The friends risk life-long wounds if they refuse to share their confidences and lean on each other. Filled with friendship, love, and hardship, WHEN LOVE IS LOST, is a women’s fiction novel that will tug at every woman’s heartstrings. A Clean Read. This book contains some 'PG-13' domestic abuse with some other related themes. It has no graphic sex scenes (implied between married couples), nudity, or swearing. Though appropriate for most teenagers, When Love Is Lost has been written with adults in mind. August 16th  Love's Embrace by Heidi Peltier Trouble comes to Love's Embrace, Texas in 1883, in the form of barbed wire...and a feisty girl named Hattie. Hattie Sommerville’s father sent her off to Boston nine years ago to learn how to be a lady. Now, she wants to go back home where she belongs, and maybe, after all this time, her old childhood playmate, Simon, might finally see her as more than a friend. She only hopes nobody discovers the secret that sent her running home. Simon Caldwell lost both parents at a young age and has poured every ounce of his heart and energy into making his Texas ranch a success. Now, an unexpected nemesis in the shape of barbed wire threatens his home and his livelihood. He can’t afford to be distracted if he wants any hope of hanging on to everything he’s worked so hard for, but his old friend Hattie is back in town, turning his head and addling his mind. If he thinks the barbed wire is bad, he has no idea just how much trouble she brought along with her from Boston. August 21st  Heart Healed by Alexa Verde Can a scarred man running from his past and a beautiful star running from her future survive a murderous attack and find healing in God's loving arms? Country music sensation, Miriam Lizzaraga, thinks her world's crushed when she loses her voice. But that's before her first love decides to marry someone else and the man who nearly killed her sets out to get her again. In desperation, she accepts help from a stranger, Philip Barlow. But with a target on her back and pain in her heart, can she love again? When Philip Barlow goes on a vacation, he doesn't expect to meet his celebrity crush. Realizing Miriam is in danger, he's ready to die to protect her. But scarred after an accident and struggling with anger issues, can he hope the gorgeous star will one day return his feelings? As the day nears when their lives will be in danger and their courage tested, can they find strength in God?  The Kithseeker by M. K. Wiseman France, 1680 A.D. Liara’s defense of the Wizard Nagarath has rendered Anisthe incantate—bereft of all magick—but even this has failed to guarantee Liara’s safety. The death of the war mage would seal Liara’s own fate, and so the wizard and his bookminder must keep him in their sites and yet as far away from themselves as possible. With nothing but a storybook and a hunch, Anisthe has set off on a journey across Europe, aided by his half-fey manservant, in search of a legendary mirror that contains the most powerful magick ever known. Although the stuff of fairytales, the merest possibility of its truth embarks Nagarath and Liara on a race to discover the mirror before it falls into the hands of Nagarath’s lifelong foe. Both know should he lay claim to that power, Liara would be at the mercy of her father-in-magick and his lust for power, and not even Nagarath could save her. Thus, the pair find themselves at the court of the Sun King, a world hostile to magick users, hopelessly surrounded by agents whose sole purpose is destroy them. Uncertain whom is friend or foe, with Anisthe nipping at their heels, they must unearth the mirror before its evil is released, or worse, lays claim to Liara’s magick as well and brings doom upon them all. August 28th  Spice Bringer by H.L. Burke A deadly disease. A vanishing remedy. A breathless journey. All her life, Niya's known she will die young from the fatal rasp. She survives only with the aid of vitrisar spice and a magical, curmudgeonly fire salamander named Alk. Then an ambitious princess burns down the vitrisar grove in an effort to steal Alk so she can claim her rightful throne. Joined by Jayesh, a disgraced monk, Niya and Alk must flee to the faraway Hidden Temple with the last vitrisar plant, or all who suffer from the rasp will perish. But even as Niya’s frustration and banter with Jayesh deepen to affection, the rasp is stealing away her breath and life. For a girl with limited time and a crippling quest, love may be more painful than death.  Contemporary Romance:
Out of Their Element by Angela Breidenbach, Robin Lee Hatcher, Vickie McDonough, and Deborah Raney — They are totally out of their element! Four mismatched couples find unexpected romance. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published) The Redemption Road by Christa MacDonald — As Alex awaits retribution, he means to keep Annie safe at any cost, but she knows it’s redemption he needs and she’ll pay any price for him to find it. (Contemporary Romance from Mountain Brook Ink) Scarlet Tears by Laura Hervey — Caught in a romantic triangle with her brother’s best friend and a charming pastor, former call girl Carly Lawrence struggles to start a new life. (Contemporary Romance from Alabaster Box Press) Historical Romance: Rebecca’s Legacy by Betty Thomason Owens — After a threat against her family, a spoiled heiress is sent to the country to work on her aunt’s produce farm and finds love. (Historical Romance from Write Integrity Press) The Patriot Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse — Faith Jackson is a wealthy widow, friend of George Washington, and staunch supporter of the Patriot cause. Matthew Weber is friends with both Ben Franklin and his son William, who increasingly differ in their political views; and Matthew finds himself privy to information on both sides of the conflict. When a message needs to get to a spy among the Loyalists, Faith bravely steps up and in turn meets Matthew Weber. Suddenly she believes she could love again. But someone else has his eye on the Faith she portrays in elite social circles. What will Matthew and Faith have to sacrifice for the sake of their fledgling country? (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing) Cozy Mystery: Deadly Harvest by Marissa Shrock — Georgia’s biggest challenge in the farming town of Wildcat Springs, Indiana, is figuring out how to win Evan Beckworth’s heart. Until the day she discovers the body of a former student in the woods. When she starts to suspect this wasn’t an accident, memories stir of her father’s murder nine years earlier. A murder never solved. As Georgia works with the sheriff’s department’s newest detective, Cal Perkins, she finds her heart slipping into his hands. But her head is pummeled with conflicting evidence and anonymous threats of severe consequences if she digs any deeper. In the end, Georgia faces a paralyzing choice. Ignore the dark secrets inside the family and friends who surround her or be willing to risk her own life to uncover the truth. (Cozy Mystery, Independently Published) Unknown Enemy by Janet Sketchley — A young woman with a traumatic past must discover the truth about who’s playing mind games with the Green Dory Inn’s owner. (Cozy Mystery, Independently Published) Romantic Suspense: Hiding in Plain Sight by Mary Ellis — When a Charleston PI rents a room above an Italian restaurant owned by a handsome chef, she lands in the middle of a family feud with robbery, arson and murder for the daily specials. (Romantic Suspense from Severn House Publishers LTD) Wildfire by Gayla K. Hiss — A female wildfire scientist and a firefighter team up to solve the mystery behind the outbreak of wildfires in the Rockies and find themselves at the center of a firestorm. (Romantic Suspense from Mountain Brook Ink) Amish Country Ambush by Dana R. Lynn — A police officer and a dispatcher travel deep into Amish country to rescue her nephew and to escape a killer. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin]) Imperfect Promises by Elizabeth Noyes — When a homegrown terrorist threatens the woman he loves, former Special Forces soldier Jonas Cameron calls on old friends to help him eliminate the danger. (Romantic Suspense from Write Integrity Press) Cold Fear by Susan Sleeman — When a sniper’s ex-girlfriend, a musician, is framed for murder during her summer tour, he jumps to defend her from an imminent arrest and a killer’s deadly rage. But the evidence against her stacks higher as three bodies are found with her name tattooed on their wrist. (Romantic Suspense from Edge of Your Seat Books, Inc.) Cold Case Cover-Up by Virginia Vaughan — The first thrilling Covert Operatives tale An infant is believed to have been murdered thirty years ago—but investigative journalist Dana Lang is convinced she’s that baby. Now someone’s willing to kill to stop her investigation. And only secretive deputy Quinn Dawson, whose grandfather may have faked Dana’s death to protect her, can keep her safe. But a killer’s dead set on burying the past—and them—for good. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin]) Thriller/Suspense: Pretense by John Di Frances — A dark cloud hangs over Europe after the brutal murders of two heads of state just days apart. A diabolical plot appears to stretch westward to the United States, implicating the CIA. But do the facts reflect reality or is there a sinister force working behind the scenes to destabilize Europe and NATO? The team of investigators led by Interpol’s Marek Frakas, ‘The Wolf,’ moves quickly to track the perpetrators and uncover the identity of the unseen mastermind behind the conspiracy. This cadre includes the lovely Adrianna, a young forensic weapons expert who can hold her own on the male-dominated international team of investigators. Together they seek to understand reality versus the shattered mirror-like reflections meant to obfuscate the truth and shroud the mastermind’s identity and ultimate purpose. (Political Thriller from Reliance Books Publishing, LLC) Thirst of Steel by Ronie Kendig — Dismantled centuries ago, the sword of Goliath is still rumored to thirst for its enemies’ blood. Cole “Tox” Russell wants only to put the dangers of his past behind him and begin his new life with Haven Cortes. First, though, he’s called to complete a final mission: retrieve the sword and destroy the deadly Arrow & Flame Order. The AFO, however, is determined to reunite the sword. With the Wraith team slowly being torn apart, things worsen when Mercy Maddox, a new operative, emerges with the stunning news that the artifact is tied to a string of unsolved serial murders. Tox and the others are forced to set aside fear and anger to target the true enemy. No matter the cost, Wraith must destroy the AFO . . . or join them in the flames. (Military Suspense from Bethany House [Baker])  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)  A new month means new releases! Check out some of these fantastic books from my fellow authors. I hope you find a new favorite book! May 29  The Popcorn Prince by Johanna Evelyn Amy has officially put dating on the back burner after a string of noncommittal relationships. But when she accidentally brushes her hand against a handsome stranger's one night at a movie theater, her heart decides it has other plans—until she realizes her handsome prince brings a new girl to the theater almost every weekend. This doesn’t stop her from admiring him from afar, while she and her twin brother make up outlandish stories about him every time he comes to the theater. But when their worlds collide, she needs to decide if she will open her heart and take another chance on a man, or push him away after she’s done with his services. Steven has waited months to ask out a girl he’s only had a few brief interactions with. But every time he tries, she runs away from him. His coworkers step in with a plan to put his bachelor days behind him. But the fun and games come with a price tag, as his Cinderella stands to lose something much more valuable than a glass slipper.  The Nameless Soldier by Annie Douglass Lima What do you do when you’re the only survivor? Nineteen-year-old Tarvic bears the name of a mighty hero from Alasia’s past. However, the young soldier feels anything but heroic when he regains consciousness to find himself the lone survivor of a brutal attack by invaders from the neighboring kingdom. Forced to leave his identity behind, Tarvic is thrust into civilian life in the role of protector to three war orphans. When the four of them encounter a mysterious stranger, he must choose between keeping the young girls safe and taking on a mission that could help free his kingdom. Can Tarvic live up to his noble name and find a way to balance his duty and his dreams? May 31  Bayside Opposites by Stacy Claflin She’s burdened by guilt and tragedy. He wants to help her, but he has secrets of his own. Madisyn Steele graduated college with no job lined up and no income of her own. She returned to her childhood home where her wealthy and overbearing father won’t wait for her to get her life in order. He’s continuing his domineering pattern and ruling her life, even going so far as to ignore her wishes by trying to arrange her marriage to Reese Rutherford, a man she despises—just to solidify his business prospects. Nate Roberts is barely making ends meet. Despite his hardships, he plans to make it on his own and never return to the home he ran from years earlier. He’s begging friends for food the night he has a chance encounter with Madisyn and everything changes. First he’s willing to go back to Enchantment Bay and earn an honest wage for her, then he’s ready to chance hauling illegal contraband just to make the kind of money she’s used to. Madisyn doesn’t care about material things. She only cares about Nate. But her father’s plans and Reese’s schemes threaten the future she and Nate are trying to build. Can they reveal their secrets and work through all the issues keeping them apart, or will they ultimately push each other away?  Austen Inspirations Boxed Set - Franky A. Brown Three sweet romantic comedies inspired by Jane Austen. The set includes: PRIDE AND BUTTERFLIES Caralyn Sharp's bad day takes an unexpected turn when she's rear-ended by a military officer with an attitude, who is also the owner of the most amazing pair of blue eyes she's ever seen. NONE BUT YOU Anna Ellington never expected to see Erick again. Breaking off their engagement was the worst decision of her life. But her bitter regret is nothing compared to pretending she's not still in love with him. EMMA'S MATCH Emma Wallace has a plan up her sleeve to save her struggling design business, but not a clue what to do about the man who has her heart. Emma's never failed at anything...except walking the line between friendship and love. June 4th  Sweet Reunion by Stacy Claflin She's determined to stay single, but everyone else is determined to see her married. Maggie Kendrick is trying to start over in the enchanting beach town where she spent her summers growing up. Life has thrown her one too many wrenches, and now she's resolved to move on—without a man. Aunt Lucille has made it her life's mission to see Maggie walk down the aisle. Everyone knows it too, as Lucille has tried to set Maggie up with every available bachelor in Indigo Bay. Canyon Leblanc was Maggie's first love, and he just returned to town. Sparks start flying again—stronger than ever. Distance has definitely made their hearts grow fonder, but Canyon has spent the last seven years living a wild and destructive lifestyle, and that reputation labels him a less-than-desirable catch. Maggie and Canyon see past each other's situations, but nobody in town wants them to get together, least of all Aunt Lucille. Friends, family, and even an enemy work hard to keep them apart. Will Maggie open her heart to love again despite the many obstacles, or will the single life prove to be her best option? June 5th  Dolce Vita: Sweet Life by Autumn Macarthur La dolce vita, a sweeter life of love, awaits Rachel. But can she accept it? Rachel Golding loves her uncomplicated life in Wales. Teaching art, a close-knit group of friends, and a strong and loving bond with her mother. But the trip to Italy to meet her Italian grandmother for the first time stirs unwelcome emotions — reluctance to forgive Nonna for a lifetime of rejection, and longing to know more about the father who died before her birth. Between her cousin’s accusation she sent a series of mysterious unsigned paintings to get revenge on the family, her mother’s wedding, and her realization she feels way more than she should for her best friend Jonathan, Rachel’s carefully planned life is spiraling out of control. Always ready for adventure, especially with the woman he loves, Jonathan Davies gladly accompanies Rach on an impulsive return journey to Tuscany. Okay, so he also hopes the time together might give him the chance to tell her how he really feels. But now she needs his friendship and support more than ever, revealing his love is a risk he dare not take. Not without some sign she wants more. A sign she may never give. In the haze of a sunflower summer, can Rachel learn to surrender her hurts and fears to God and so embrace the life He intends for her? La dolce vita, a sweeter life of love. June 6th  His Bluestocking Bride by Sally Britton He vows to never risk his heart again. She hides her love to avoid rejection. A marriage of convenience is not what either of them wished for. Overlooked by society and underappreciated in her family, Ellen Bringhurst has resigned herself to spinsterhood and a life of reading. Until her match-making friends contrive to reintroduce Ellen to the man she has secretly loved since their shared childhood. As the younger son to an earl, Marcus Calvert must wed in order to inherit his estate. Still nursing a broken heart, he prefers a practical approach to matrimony rather than romantic love. When Ellen is presented as a possible bride, he proposes a marriage of convenience. Ellen accepts his hand, hiding her feelings rather than risking her husband’s rejection. Marcus, though determined not to expose his heart again, finds more to admire in his childhood friend with each passing day. What began as a sensible arrangement now has the possibility to become so much more. But is Marcus willing to risk his heart a second time? June 8th  Quest for Leviathan by Amanda Tero Leviathan took the life of his father. Anath has spent three years preparing for the voyage that will end the threat of Leviathan. Yet as the Valor launches into the depths of the Mediterranean, an inward quest also begins, taking Anath to depths he is not willing to face. June 12th  La Risposta: The Answer by Autumn Macarthur One marriage ends, as another begins. Or can faith and forgiveness save Peppe and Teresa's life together? When the harvest celebrations and a family wedding bring the eight cousins back to the the villa at summer's end, along with their new beloveds, the final secrets are revealed, along with the solution to the puzzle of the unsigned paintings. But can these secrets be forgiven, healing old wounds and mending broken hearts, or will the mistakes of the past be repeated? The future of a marriage about to crumble depends on the answer! June 17th  The Ghost in the Gardens by HL Carpenter Until the first spooky visit, ten year old Chrysantha Howe doesn't think about ghosts. She thinks about plants. All. The. Time. She has her future planned out, and that future includes plants. Chrys is going to be a plant scientist like her uncle and her favorite teacher, and she's determined to find the very rare Coralroot orchid. The ghost is not in the plan. But when her teacher disappears and the police suspect her uncle was involved, Chrys has to figure out what the ghost is trying to tell her—before it's too late. June 18th  Kiera by Kate Willis Kiera is looking forward to her eighteenth birthday. The official end of school, a party with her best friend, and chocolate cake. A sudden military draft, no possible exemptions, had never crossed her mind. Kiera is terrified! Getting drafted would mean leaving her family, her little friend Jade—life as she knows it. A surprising offer from Brennan Stewart just might be the answer to her prayers, but an even worse trial leaves her with one question… If God truly loves her, why did this tragedy happen? June 19th  Restoring Faith by Marion Ueckermann When love grows cold and vows forgotten, can faith be restored? Charles and Faith Young are numbers people. While Charles spends his days in a fancy Fort Collins office number-crunching, Faith teaches math to the students of Colorado High. Married for sixteen years, Charles and Faith both know unequivocally that one plus one should never equal three. When blame becomes the order of the day in the Young household for their failing marriage—blaming each other; blaming themselves—Charles and Faith each search for answers why the flame of love no longer burns brightly. In their efforts, one takes comfort from another a step too far. One chooses not to get mad, but to get even. Dying love is a slow burn. Is it too late for Charles and Faith to fan the embers and make love rise once again from the ashes of their broken marriage? Can they find their first love again—for each other, and for God?  Check out these new releases from authors involved with American Christian Fiction Writers. You're sure to find a new favorite! Contemporary Romance:
The Sleuth’s Miscalculation by Kimberly Rose Johnson — Librarian Nancy Daley loves a good mystery and enjoys moonlighting as a consultant for the sheriff’s department. When license plates go missing in Tipton County, she’s on the case. But she’s been partnered with the new deputy, Carter Malone, and he’s not interested in her help. When the minor case they are working morphs into something more, things quickly go from harmless to scary. Can they solve the mystery before it’s too late, and more importantly, what will they do about their growing attraction? (Contemporary Romance from Mountain Brook Ink) Falling for the Cowgirl by Tina Radcliffe — Hiring Amanda “AJ” McAlester as his assistant at the Big Heart Ranch isn’t foreman Travis Maxwell’s first choice—but his sisters insist she’s perfect for the job. And AJ’s determined to prove she’s just as qualified as any man. But with money on the line, AJ and her innovative ideas could put him at risk of losing everything…including his heart. (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin]) Enduring Love by Toni Shiloh — Belle Peterson is hiding a secret. Seeking sanctuary in the small town of Maple Run, she’s intent on starting her life over—one she hopes honors Christ. The plan was going great until an undeniable attraction to Micah Campbell has her wondering if she’s changed at all. Can love really conquer all or will Belle’s past be too much for Micah to handle? (Contemporary Romance from Celebrate Lit) General Contemporary: A Firm Place to Stand by Lori Altebaumer — Out of options, Maribel takes a safe enough seeming job, but soon finds herself in the middle of a murder, a search for a missing girl, and a race to find a lost treasure. (General Contemporary, Independently Published) Kuwaiti Seeker by Jim Carroll — A young Kuwaiti Muslim searches for truth in Islam, but God finds him anyway. (General Contemporary, Crosslink Publishing) General Historical: Where the Fire Falls by Karen Barnett — Watercolorist Olivia Rutherford has shed her humble beginnings to fashion her image as an avant-garde artist to appeal to the region’s wealthy art-collectors. When she lands a lucrative contract painting illustrations of Yosemite National Park for a travel magazine, including its nightly one-of-a-kind Firefall event, she hopes the money will lift Olivia and her sisters out of poverty. After false accusations cost him everything, former minister Clark Johnson has found purpose as a backcountry guide in this natural cathedral of granite and trees. Now he’s faced with the opportunity to become a National Parks Ranger, but is it his true calling? As Clark opens Olivia’s eyes to the wonders of Yosemite, she discovers the people are as vital to the park’s story as its vistas–a revelation that may bring her charade to an end. (General Historical from Waterbrook/Multnomah [Random House]) Historical Romance: Orphan Train Sweetheart by Mollie Campbell — Spring Hill is the orphan train’s last stop—a final chance for Simon McKay to find homes for his young charges. When his fellow placing agent quits, Simon enlists help from the frontier town’s pretty schoolteacher. Cecilia Holbrook is as intriguing as she is independent, yet Simon’s devotion to his mission will soon call him back to New York. Long overshadowed by her flirtatious sister, Cecilia is done with waiting for a man to choose her. She’s already fighting the school board to keep her position. Now she’s struggling not to lose her heart to Simon. Could their shared concern for the children show them how to follow a new dream, together? (Historical Romance Love Inspired [Harlequin]) A Love Restored by Kelly Goshorn — She was nothing like the woman he’d envisioned for his bride, but he was everything she’d ever dreamed of-until a promise from his past threatened their future. (Historical Romance from Pelican Book Group) The Road to Magnolia Glen by Pam Hillman — In 1792, Quinn O’Shea leaves Ireland for Natchez, Mississippi, ready to force his oldest brother to reclaim the role of family guardian so Quinn can be free to pursue his own adventures. While aboard ship, a run-in with tenacious yet kind Kiera Young and her two Irish sisters lands him in the role of reluctant savior. Upon arriving in the colonies, Kiera realizes her intended groom never existed and a far more sinister deal has been negotiated for her and her sisters. Quinn offers to escort his charges safely to Breeze Hill Plantation and his brother’s care, fully intending to seek his freedom elsewhere. But the longer he remains, the greater his feelings toward Kiera grow and the more he comes to realize true freedom might be found in sacrifice. (Historical Romance from Tyndale House) A Defense of Honor by Kristi Ann Hunter — When Katherine “Kit” FitzGilbert turned her back on London society more than a decade ago, she determined never to set foot in a ballroom again. But when business takes her to London and she’s forced to run for her life, she stumbles upon not only a glamorous ballroom but also Graham, Lord Wharton. Graham, intent on finding his friend’s missing sister, is convinced Kit knows more about the girl than she’s telling. After meeting Graham, Kit finds herself wishing things could have been different, but long ago, she dedicated herself to helping women escape the same scorn that drove her from London and raising the innocent children caught in the crossfire. As much as she desperately wishes to tell Graham everything, revealing the truth isn’t worth putting him and everyone she loves in danger. (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker]) More Than Meets the Eye by Karen Witemeyer — Many consider Evangeline Hamilton cursed. Orphaned at a young age and possessing a pair of mismatched eyes–one bright blue, the other dark brown–Eva has fought to find her way in a world that constantly rejects her. She’s made a safe haven with Seth and Zach, two former orphans she now counts as brothers. Seeking justice against the gambler who stole his birthright and destroyed his family, Logan Fowler arrives in 1880s Pecan Gap, Texas, to confront Zach Hamilton, the hardened criminal responsible for his father’s death. Instead, he discovers a man not much older than himself with an unusual family. When Zach’s sister, Evangeline, insists on dousing Logan with sunshine every time their paths cross, Logan finds his quest completely derailed. Who is truly responsible for his lost legacy, and will restoring the past satisfy if it means forfeiting a future with Evangeline? (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker]) Romantic Suspense: Justice Betrayed by Patricia Bradley — It’s Elvis Week in Memphis, and homicide Detective Rachel Sloan isn’t sure her day could get any stranger when aging Elvis impersonator Vic Vegas asks to see her. But when he produces a photo of her murdered mother with four Elvis impersonators–one of whom had also been murdered soon after the photo was taken–she’s forced to reevaluate. When yet another person in the photo is murdered, Rachel suddenly has her hands full investigating three cases. Lieutenant Boone Callahan offers his help, but their checkered romantic past threatens to get in the way. Can they solve the cases before the murderer makes Rachel victim number four? (Romantic Suspense from Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group) A Vast and Gracious Tide by Lisa Carter — After losing his closest friends and now his girlfriend to the ravages of war, Caden Wallis arrives on the Outer Banks for one final mission–to thank the woman who sent him a quilt while he was recuperating at Walter Reed Army Hospital. McKenna Dockery knows about loss. She juggles the family business, her ailing father, and an aging grandmother. Much to Caden’s surprise, she–not some elderly lady–is the quilter. The quilt was something she’d begun for her future husband but shipped to the military hospital after the tragic death of her fiancé. When a man is found snared in a net and murdered on McKenna’s property, she and Caden must work together to bring the killer to justice. (Romantic Suspense from Gilead Publishing) Ransom of the Heart by Susan Page Davis — Police Captain Harvey Larson’s exhausting day takes a big detour when a teenaged girl approaches him at the diner, announcing that she is his daughter. When Harvey is on his way home from work a few hours later, his sister-in-law Abby calls him. She went to meet her husband for a dinner date and found a dead man on the floor at his place of business, and Peter has vanished. Harvey calls in his detectives and turns his car around. It’s going to be a long night, too. Once again, Harvey depends on his wits, his faith, and his squad, the Priority Unit, to solve a tough case and carry out Maine Justice. (Romantic Suspense from Tea Tin Press) Speculative: Song of Leira by Gillian Bronte Adams — Reeling from her disastrous foray into the Pit, Birdie, the young Songkeeper, retreats into the mountains. But in the war-torn north, kneeling on bloodstained battlefields to sing the souls of the dying to rest, her resolve to accept her calling is strengthened. Such evil cannot go unchallenged. Torn between oaths to protect the Underground runners and to rescue his friend from the slave camps, Ky Huntyr enlists Birdie’s aid. Their mission to free the captives unravels the horrifying thread connecting the legendary spring, Artair’s sword, and the slave camps. But the Takhran’s schemes are already in motion. Powerful singers have arisen to lead his army—singers who can shake the earth and master the sea—and monsters rampage across the land. As Leira falters on the verge of defeat, the Song bids her rise to battle, and the Songkeeper must answer. (Speculative High Fantasy from Enclave Publishing)
Please welcome author Annie Douglass Lima as we celebrate her newest release, The Nameless Soldier. Isn't that cover fantastic? Read on to learn more, and then make sure you pick up your copy for only $0.99 for a limited time!
The Nameless Soldier is book 4 in the Annals of Alasia young adult fantasy series. Haven't read all (or any) of the others? That's okay! The books can be read in any order, and each one can stand on its own. 
Description: What do you do when you’re the only survivor? Nineteen-year-old Tarvic bears the name of a mighty hero from Alasia’s past. However, the young soldier feels anything but heroic when he regains consciousness to find himself the lone survivor of a brutal attack by invaders from the neighboring kingdom. Forced to leave his identity behind, Tarvic is thrust into civilian life in the role of protector to three war orphans. When the four of them encounter a mysterious stranger, he must choose between keeping the young girls safe and taking on a mission that could help free his kingdom. Can Tarvic live up to his noble name and find a way to balance his duty and his dreams?
You can pick up your ebook copy for only $0.99 through June 6th
Not sure if you'll like the story or not? Take a look at the first chapter and see!
The Nameless Soldier
Chapter One
Tarvic woke to the sound of a distant yell, abruptly silenced. He pushed his blankets aside and sat up, puzzled, but heard only the light patter of rain on the canvas. “What was that?â€
Drevel, his roommate in the barracks and tentmate out on campaigns like this, stirred and rolled over. “What?â€
“I heard something. Someone shouting.â€
“It’s probably just another drill.†But Drevel sat up too, shoving his own blankets away, as Tarvic crawled over and untied the tent flap.
A blast of wintry air and raindrops greeted him as he leaned out, peering across the tent-studded hillside. Clouds hid the moon and stars, and on every side the thick dark of the forest leaned in from the edges of the large clearing. But the telltale flickering light of distant torches sent shadows leaping over tents and across the open spaces between them. Why would someone be using torches out here? Any soldier in camp had easy access to lanterns among the supplies.
Something was wrong. Very wrong. Tarvic pulled back into the tent and yanked on his breeches and jacket.
They both heard the next yell, closer this time, and then the unmistakable clash of swords. Both men snatched up their own swords, jamming their feet into their boots and fumbling for shields. From all around them, shouts of alarm erupted as men in their company woke up.
And then the enemy was upon them. Horses exploded through the camp, trampling tents and the soldiers just crawling out of them. Riders leaned low off their mounts’ backs, swinging swords and waving torches.
Halfway out of his tent, Tarvic threw himself flat on his face to avoid a slash that would probably have decapitated him. He scrambled to his feet, only to be knocked off them again by a blow that he barely caught on his shield.
Light, shadows, horses, blades, rain. Chaos raged through the clearing to the sound of crashing metal, pounding hooves, shouts of challenge and desperation. Tarvic regained his feet and fought as best he could from the ground while enemy riders thundered around him. Dodging and ducking, he aimed for the men’s legs and tried to keep out from under their horses’ hooves. With no idea who he was fighting or why, his only goal to stay alive for the next heartbeat, he dodged and darted through the tumult looking for spots where horses and enemy swords weren’t. All around him, men fought and ran and crumpled to lie as limply as the trampled tents.
Slipping and stumbling in the mud, Tarvic felt a surge of satisfaction as his sword met flesh and an enemy yelled in pain. And then the man wheeled his horse and charged back toward him, and Tarvic turned to flee.
He tripped on something soft that groaned. Pain shot through Tarvic’s wrist as he caught his fall, and only a quick roll saved him from being trampled as the man’s horse cantered over him.
Its rider wheeled again, and Tarvic rose to his knees, barely raising his shield in time to protect his face. The force of the blow threw him backward, jarring his already sore wrist.
Another horse leaped over him, and Tarvic cried out in pain as a hoof struck him on the shoulder. He stumbled to his feet, ducking low to present as small a target as possible, and ran through the melee.
He saw fewer people on foot now, more obstacles in the mud. Was it cowardly to flee from a battle you couldn’t win? Nothing in Tarvic’s eight months in the military had prepared him for this. Not counting occasional minor border skirmishes, the kingdom of Alasia hadn’t seen an actual war in six generations. Besides routine patrols, city peacekeeping, and the frequent drills and training, the military’s primary duties involved escorting merchant wagons through robber-frequented stretches of rural highway and keeping an eye on the sections of coastline where seafaring raiders were known to attack. Tarvic had never fought in a battle that involved more than a handful of opponents at a time, and none of those opponents had been anywhere near this organized — or this deadly.
If we escape, we can regroup somewhere safer and — A hard blow to the back knocked him to the ground again as another horse pounded over him. Giving up all pretense of courage, Tarvic scrambled to his feet once more and fled for the edge of the clearing and the relative safety of the trees beyond. I can’t do anything here. They’re going to slaughter us all!
He was practically there when another rider appeared in front of him, leaning low with sword outstretched. Tarvic almost impaled himself on the blade, raising his shield just in time. He fought back frantically as the man slashed, swinging his weapon again and again. I need my horse! Military training had included nothing about how to fight a mounted enemy from the ground. But Lightning was tethered in the row of makeshift stalls on the far side of the camp, probably prancing restlessly under his blanket and wondering why his rider didn’t come to spur him into battle.
Tarvic didn’t even see the blow that almost killed him. His ears barely registered the thudding of more galloping hooves from behind, nearly drowned out by the rain and the sounds of battle. But the world exploded in light and pain as something struck the back of his head harder than anything had ever hit him before.
He lurched forward, feeling his sword drop from limp fingers. Managing two steps before his legs buckled, he was just conscious enough to recognize the urgent need to crawl. Don’t stop. Don’t stop. Don’t stop. Or they’ll kill you out here. That was the only thought left in his mind as he pulled himself toward the concealing shadows behind the line of tree trunks. And then even that faded, giving way to darkness.
Want to know what happens to Tarvic?
​Click here to purchase the book and find out!
About the Author
Annie Douglass Lima spent most of her childhood in Kenya and later graduated from Biola University in Southern California. She and her husband Floyd currently live in Taiwan, where she teaches fifth grade at Morrison Academy. She has been writing poetry, short stories, and novels since her childhood, and to date has published seventeen books (four YA action and adventure novels, five fantasies, a puppet script, six anthologies of her students’ poetry, and a Bible verse coloring and activity book). Besides writing, her hobbies include reading (especially fantasy and science fiction), scrapbooking, and international travel.
Email: AnnieDouglassLima@gmail.com
Blog: http://anniedouglasslima.blogspot.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnnieDouglassLimaAuthor Twitter: https://twitter.com/princeofalasia Goodreads: http://bit.ly/ADLimaOnGoodreads Google+: http://bit.ly/ADLimaOnGooglePlus Amazon Author Page: http://bit.ly/AnnieDouglassLimaOnAmazon LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/ADLimaOnLinkedIn My wonderful husband bought me a number of plants and flowers for Mother's Day this year. Every day this week, my daughter and I have gone outside to admire the blooms and to see what kind of little creatures are calling them home. I thought I'd share some of my photographs with you all. Enjoy, and thank you for looking! Copyright 2018 Melanie D. Snitker
 What better way to celebrate Mother's Day than to treat yourself to sweet romances from the Welcome to Romance collection? Each of these thirteen books are on sale for only $0.99 each through May 13th! Finding Forever in Romance is one of 13 delightful stories based in Romance, Oregon. Come see why you'll want to visit this town full of lovable characters over and over again!  From the time he was a child, Brent Todd has helped lost pets find healing and homes. Now, he runs Romance's Finding Forever Animal Rescue. Amid the dogs, cats, donkeys, goats, and exotic animals in his care, he convinces himself he has everything he needs. Then a beautiful woman and her son volunteer to help at the shelter. Brent soon realizes he needs more than the rescue animals to fill the empty spaces in his heart and home.
Dedicated to raising her son, Nicole Crawford views romance as a lovely idea. But between being a single mom and the pain of her past, she refuses to dwell on something so out of reach. To teach her son about helping others, they volunteer at Finding Forever on a temporary basis. But the more time she spends with Brent, the more she realizes it'll be impossible to walk away from him and the shelter with her heart intact. Together, maybe Brent and Nicole will discover a forever family of their own.  There are a lot of great new releases from my fellow writers this month. Check them out! May 1st  Rapsodia: Rhapsody by Alexa Verde A risk taker with a crushed spirit and a control-addicted businessman with a crushed heart... Can they surrender themselves to God's healing love? After the woman he loved left him for a richer guy, Marco Carter turned all his passion toward the chain of pizzerias he founded. He can control his business, unlike love. Then his world is turned upside down. He meets Samantha Jenkins on his flight home to Texas after his grandmother's eightieth birthday. Many hours with the guarded but beautiful Samantha has him questioning his career-centered mindset. A born risk taker and fiercely independent, Samantha misses her former life as a travel photographer and extreme sports aficionado. But more than anything, she grieves her fiancé. On her trip from Italy on the anniversary of his tragic passing, the last thing she expects is to become drawn to her neighbor on her flight. Deep inside, she still blames herself for her fiancé's death... Though Marco is determined to forget Samantha, the arrival of a mysterious painting reminds him of all that is missing in his life. Hoping for a new chance with her, Marco opens a pizzeria in Samantha's hometown in south Texas. Spending time with her, he's learning to surrender control to the Lord. But apparently it's easier to earn millions than to make Samantha open her heart again. What will it take for her to heal enough to trust in God and take the biggest risk of all-to love again?  Sticks and Stones by Robynn E. Sheahan In Sticks and Stones (the forth book in the Storm of Arranon series), Erynn is heartbroken but has no time to mourn, Dhoran and his evil forces are growing stronger. Desperate to stop him, Erynn races back to her home planet, Korin, in search of a legendary artifact that could stop Dhoran once and for all. This secret mission is full of dangers and complications. Jaer, the Anbas warrior sent along to protect her, no longer remembers the relationship they once shared. Even without his memories of her he must learn to trust Erynn and her abilities or all will be lost.  Bree by Raine English PERFECT MATCH SERIES Six women receive invitations from Dawson Yates, owner of Perfect Match, a brand-new online matchmaking travel agency for a free week-long vacation to the island of her choice. As part of an extensive promotional campaign, Dawson expects to make six perfect matches that he can use to champion his business. The women expect to meet the men of their dreams. What none of them anticipates is the chaos that ensues when six couples who were strangers before agreeing to spend the week together discover that love is a lot more complicated than a match made by computer algorithms. This is Bree’s story… She’s traveled the world. He’s never left Nebraska. They say opposites attract. But that was before these two were matched up. When Bree Wilson receives an invitation for a free one-week vacation to an island of her choice, her gut tells her it’s too good to be true. But how can she refuse an offer from a good friend? Especially when it’s to promote his new online matchmaking travel agency. However, she wasn’t prepared to spend seven days with Jayce Owens, the most annoying man she’s ever encountered. Forget finding love. Will she even last the week? Bali is a long way from Nebraska. And Jayce Owens is entirely out of his element. He’d expected to meet a sweet country girl, not a sophisticated, well-traveled woman with a tenaciousness that drives him crazy. To make matters worse, when they get lost while hiking, he discovers that neither one of them has brought enough supplies to last more than a few hours. Could this once-in-a-lifetime vacation to find his perfect match wind up costing him more than his heart?  Lavender Mist of May by Carol Ann Kauffman Join the further adventures and misadventures of Cat Collier, a woman who opens her own private investigation business in her small hometown on her journey from being a small town obituary writer to big city detective . In this fifth installment of the short story mystery series, Cat works to find a missing Chinese girl who came to the United States on a work/study program and disappeared into thin air. An informant takes a big risk. Nola is put in danger. A child's parentage comes into question. A member of the Palazzo Castellano group is put in danger and someone comes after another.  Her Broken Billionaire Boss by Bree Livingston Two weeks in a Denver mountain lodge is just what Sara Lynch needs to escape her mother’s soap-opera life. When a routine nursing call lands her gorgeous billionaire and former football star, Liam Thomas, it’s the perfect opportunity to get the break she’s needed. But when the relationship teeters between the lines of business and pleasure, Sarah must decide if a chance at love is worth more than her stellar reputation. Since his football injury a year ago, Liam’s life has consisted of nothing but his smothering sister and painful flashes of what might have been. Now that she’s headed out of the country on her honeymoon—all he wants is some peace and a place to brood. When a quick-witted RN shatters his dreams of blissful seclusion and challenges him to reclaim his identity, Liam discovers there’s more to life than Super Bowls and touchdowns. May 8th  Long Way Home by Brenda S. Anderson Can she forgive the man who once bullied her, and learn that love keeps no record of wrongs? Having overcome the crippling insecurities of childhood bullying, Lauren Bauman is eager to start her new job 1,000 miles away, and road-tripping across the country with her brother Nate and his new friend seems to be the perfect way to celebrate the move. But her confidence is shaken when she meets Nate’s friend—the kid who’d bullied her years before, trapping her in a decade-long shell of self-doubt. For Jet Wurm, losing his job and getting kicked out of his apartment were the best things that ever happened to him. Thanks to the friend who rescued him, he’s finally shedding the loser label he’d worn for years. Nate even invited him along on a cross-country road trip with his sister, and Jet couldn’t be more excited. But then he meets Lauren, and her fearful reaction tells him they must have met before. Where, he can’t recall, but he has no doubt he’d somehow hurt her—like he’d hurt so many others in his past. And now he’s stuck on a six-day road trip with a woman who obviously deplores him. Though Jet is clearly not the same person who’d bullied her years before, Lauren still struggles to forgive him. But if she doesn’t find the courage to forgive, will that convince Ryan he’s as worthless as he’d always been taught to believe? Or will they learn that real love keeps no record of wrongs? May 8th  Ti Amo: I Love You by Marion Ueckermann She never wants to get married. He does. To her. The day Alessandra Rossi was born, her mammà died, and a loveless life with the father who blamed the newborn for her mother's death followed. With the help of her oldest brother, Rafaele, Alessa moved away from home the moment she finished school--just like her other siblings had. Now sporting a degree in architectural history and archaeology, Alessa loves her job as a tour guide in the city of Rome--a place where she never fails to draw the attention of men. Not that Alessa cares. Fearing that the man she weds would be anything like her recently deceased father has Alessa vowing to remain single. American missionary Michael Young has moved to Rome on a two-year mission trip. His temporary future in the country doesn't stop him from spontaneously joining Alessa's tour after spotting her outside the Colosseum. And being bold enough to tell her afterward that one day she'd be his wife. God had told him. And he believed Him. But Alessa shows no sign of interest in Michael. Can anything sway the beautiful and headstrong Italian to fall in love? Can anyone convince her to put her faith and hope in the Heavenly Father, despite being raised by an earthly one who never loved her? Will her sister's prompting, or a mysterious painting, or Michael himself change Alessa's mind? About love. And about God. May 15th  Harvest of Love by Valerie Comer Hot on the heels of a failed relationship, Kenia Akers focuses on her bookstore along with granting her aging grandfather’s desperate desire to get his hands in the dirt through a program at Grace Greenhouse. Reminding herself she’s on the rebound isn’t enough to keep her from falling for the hunky activities coordinator from Granddad’s facility. Zane Russell is amazed that the fun-loving, pretty bookstore owner is attracted to him, a guy who’s not even in her league. As their relationship deepens, he avoids explaining why he seems allergic to books. Admitting his failures has never been a good move in the past. Will they find a way to let openness, trust, and acceptance blossom into a harvest of love? May 22nd  Bella Notte: Beautiful Night by Heather Gray He likes to play the field. She's content to wear her goody two shoes. Piero Carter packs light and travels often. He loves adventure and manages to keep his life simple by sticking to a two-dates-only rule. The longest relationship he's had -- aside from family -- is with his camera. As a photographer who works primarily with fashion, he's used to having his pick of beautiful women who want to be seen by his side. Felicity von Wolff is a makeup artist whose job takes her around the world. That's all the adventure she craves. She has little use for Piero the Playboy. Being seen on his arm means getting tied to his reputation, and that's the last thing she wants. Yet, somehow, they keep getting thrown together. What's a girl to do? Piero finally meets a woman who makes him want more than two dates, but does that mean he's ready for one of life's greatest adventures -- falling in love? When Felicity peeks over the wall she's built, she discovers there's more to the people around her than she ever realized. What will it take for Piero and Felicity to stop hiding from life and open their eyes to the rich beauty God has in store for them? May 29th  Solo Tu: Only You by Narelle Atkins Home means everything to Sienna Rossi. Four years ago, Sienna defied her father by moving to Australia to obtain her teaching qualifications. Her grand plan is shaken by her father's unexpected death and a trip back to Tuscany for her grandmother's eightieth birthday where she renews her close bond with her sister, Alessa. Teacher Dave Maxwell likes the freedom of his nomadic lifestyle. He works contract-to-contract, moving to different high schools around Australia. He's in Sydney for a season, caring for his grandma while his aunt is on an extended overseas vacation. Back in Sydney, Sienna moves in with her Aussie cousins and starts her first teaching job, torn between her dream for a future in Australia and her longing for home. Sienna and Dave work at the same school, attend the same church, and quickly become friends. They are drawn together by circumstances and an undeniable attraction. But their idyllic time together is temporary. Can the girl from Tuscany and the boy from Australia risk everything for love? May 31st  Tempting Fate by Mary Crawford For as long as she can remember, Mindy has always been able to see the future. Until she can't. As a child, Mindy always wished she could be normal. Now that she is, she'd give anything to be special again. After she wasn't able to help one person she cherished using her gifts, Mindy isn't sure she can ever trust her ability again. Elijah rose to the top of the bestseller lists with his first novel — but he can't seem to find the same magic again. Over his publisher's objections, he wants to take his writing career in a whole new direction. A frantic call from home threatens to completely derail his dreams. He never expected to go home and find one of the few people from his past who took the time to listen to him despite his Tourette's syndrome. Mindy knows Elijah and his family are in danger, but she knows her answers may not be enough his family or their love. What if she is wrong? Can Elijah convince Mindy that love is reason enough to tempt fate?  Check out these new releases from authors involved with American Christian Fiction Writers. You're sure to find a new favorite! Children’s:
Feebs to the Rescue by Kathy J Perry — Feebs the kitten is new to the farm. She’s a long way from the farmhouse and doesn’t know her way home in the dark. Her new friend, Ollie the dog, needs help. Can she find the courage to lead a night rescue? (Children’s from Chickadee Words, LLC) Nibbler and Captain Make Peace by Kathy J Perry — Nibbler the beaver works hard to keep his lodge and dam perfectly patched. A river otter knocks a hole in his great work. Now he’s so angry, he could almost spit nails. Can he learn how to handle his anger? (Children’s from Chickadee Words, LLC) Rascal’s Trip by Kathy J Perry — Rascal the raccoon is sorry he ignored the warning signs He’s surprised by a whirlwind and he’s taken for the ride of his life. Now it’s up to the Bandana Buddies to help him learn the importance of thinking ahead. Can he stay out of trouble long enough to get back home? (Children’s from Chickadee Words, LLC) Contemporary Romance: Solo Tu: Only You by Narelle Atkins — Can two high-school teachers, a girl from Tuscany and a boy from Australia, risk everything for love? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published) The Theory of Happily Ever After by Kristin Billerbeck — Can two high-school teachers, a girl from Tuscany and a boy from Australia, risk everything for love? (Contemporary Romance, Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group) Hometown Reunion by Lisa Carter — Widowed former Green Beret Jaxon Pruitt comes home to face his toughest battle: reconnecting with his toddler son. He also makes an unwitting enemy of childhood friend Darcy Parks when he takes over the kayak shop Darcy hoped to buy! For little Brody’s sake, she’ll stay until summer’s end. But could a growing connection turn their temporary truce into an unexpected forever? (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin]) Room on the Porch Swing by Amy Clipston — When her best friend Savilla dies, Laura steps in to help Allen raise his infant daughter. She soon finds herself coping with the jealousy of her boyfriend Rudy, and her own growing attraction to Allen. Have Laura and Allen been brought together to console and support one another…or is there an even deeper purpose they must fulfill? (Contemporary Romance from HarperCollins Christian Publishing) Cowboys of Summer by Mary Connealy, Tina Radcliffe, Lorna Seilstad, Sherri Shackelford, Cheryl St. John, and Missy Tippens — Six of Christian fiction’s most beloved authors join forces to bring you a collection of humorous, romantic and heartfelt novellas set against the sultry heat of summer. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published) Bella Notte by Heather Gray — As a photographer who works primarily with fashion, Piero Carter is used to having his pick of beautiful women who want to be seen by his side. Felicity von Wolff is a makeup artist whose job takes her around the world. That’s all the adventure she craves. She has little use for Piero the Playboy. But when Felicity peeks over the wall she’s built to protect herself, she discovers there’s more to the people around her than she ever realized. What will it take for Piero and Felicity to stop hiding from life and open their eyes to the rich beauty God has in store for them? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published) Honeysuckle Dreams by Denise Hunter — Regardless of what any blood test says, Brady Collins will go to any lengths to keep his son. Even pretend his friend Hope is his fiancée. Local radio celebrity Hope Daniels has finally been offered her dream job. But if the truth comes out about her arrangement with Brady, she may miss the chance of a lifetime and stand in the way of a dear friend’s dreams. As Brady and Hope make sacrifices to help each other in their times of need, they risk uncovering a truth neither of them expects to find. (Contemporary Romance from HarperCollins Christian Publishing) Finding Love on Bainbridge Island Washington by Annette M. Irby — A “broken” therapist with PTSD finds a fresh start at her family’s beach cabin, but when her parents hire her ex-boyfriend to finalize repairs on the place, they’re forced back into close proximity. He’s falling for her again. But can anything heal the past? (Contemporary Romance from Mountain Brook Ink) And Cowboy Makes Three by Deb Kastner — Coming home with a baby and no wedding ring was just what everyone in Cowboy Country expected from bad girl Angelica Carmichael. But she’ll brave their scorn to fulfill Granny Frances’s dying wishes, even if it means ranching with Rowdy Masterson…her jilted ex-groom. Rowdy’s still bitter but this new, softer Angelica—paired with a precious baby—might be too lovable to resist! (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin]) Falling for You by Becky Wade — A thoughtful rule-follower by nature, Willow threw caution to the wind four years ago when she entrusted her heart to Corbin — then suffered the consequences when their relationship fell apart. Now that a decades-old mystery has brought them together again, they’ll have to confront their past and the feelings they still harbor for one another. (Contemporary Romance from Bethany House [Baker]) General Contemporary/Women’s Fiction: Long Way Home by Brenda S. Anderson — Stuck on a six-day road trip with the man who once bullied her, can Lauren Bauman learn that love keeps no record of wrongs? (General Contemporary, Independently Published {ACFW QIP Author}) The Hidden Side by Heidi Chiavaroli — The Hidden Side is about a family that is torn apart by the unspeakable actions of one of its members and how a woman from the past helps them to heal. (General Contemporary from Tyndale House) Things I Never Told You by Beth K. Vogt — It’s been ten years since Payton Thatcher’s twin sister died in an accident, leaving the entire family to cope in whatever ways they could. No longer half of a pair, Payton reinvents herself as a partner in a successful party-planning business and is doing just fine—until her middle sister Jillian’s engagement pulls the family back together to plan the festivities. As old wounds are reopened and the family faces the possibility of another tragedy, the Thatchers must decide if they will pull together or be driven further apart. (Contemporary Women’s Fiction from Tyndale House) Where Hope Begins by Catherine West — Savannah Barrington has always found solace at her parents’ lake house in the Berkshires, and it’s the place that she runs to when her husband of over twenty years leaves her. Though her world is shaken, and the future uncertain, she finds hope through an old woman’s wisdom, a little girl’s laughter, and a man who’s willing to risk his own heart to prove to Savannah that she is worthy of love. But soon, Savannah is given a challenge that she can’t run away from. Forgiving the unforgiveable. Amidst the ancient gardens and musty bookstores of the small town she’s sought refuge in, she must reconcile with the grief that haunts her, the God pursuing her, and the wounds of the past that might be healed after all. (General Contemporary from HarperCollins Christian Publishing) General Historical: Faithful by Carol Ashby — When a foolish choice lands one man in a fight for his life, unlikely friendships are born, love blossoms, and broken relationships are restored as his best friend’s faith and courage guide the quest to rescue him. (General Historical from Cerrillo Press) Historical Romance: All for Love by Mary Connealy, Kristi Ann Hunter, and Jen Turano — Three of Christian historical fiction’s beloved authors come together in this romantic and humorous collection of novellas featuring prequels to their latest series. Mary Connealy’s “The Boden Birthright” journeys to the Old West, where ranch hand Chance Boden’s determination to be his own boss is challenged by his employer’s pretty daughter. Kristi Ann Hunter’s “A Lady of Esteem” follows a Regency-era young lady whose chance at love and reputation in society are threatened by a nasty rumor. Jen Turano’s “At Your Request” tells of a young woman who is humbled at her newly lowered status in society when she is reunited with the very man whose proposal she rejected. (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker]) The Perfect Bride by Debbie Lynne Costello — Avice Touchet has always dreamed of marrying for love and that love would be her best friend, Philip Greslet. She’s waited five years for him to see her as the woman she’s become but when a visiting lord arrives with secrets that could put her father in prison, Avice must consider a sacrificial marriage. Philip Greslet has worked his whole life for one thing—to be a castellan—and now it is finally in his grasp. But when Avice rebuffs his new lord’s attentions, Philip must convince his best friend to marry the lord against his heart’s inclination to have her as his own. (Historical Romance from Forget Me Not Romances) Backcountry Brides Collection by Angela Couch, Debra E. Marvin, Shannon McNear, Gabrielle Meyer, Carrie Fancett Pagels, Jennifer Hudson Taylor, and Pegg Thomas — Travel into Colonial America where eight women seek love, but they each know a future husband requires the necessary skills to survive in the backcountry. Living in areas exposed to nature’s ferocity, prone to Indian attack, and cut off from regular supplies, can hearts overcome the dangers to find lasting love? (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing) Rebecca’s Song by Dawn Kinzer — A small-town teacher who lost hope of having her own family, and a big-city railroad detective driven to capture his sister’s killer, must do what’s best for three young orphans who need them both. (Historical Romance, Independently Published) Love’s Silver Lining by Julie Lessman — A soft-hearted suffragist incurs the wrath of a bull-headed bachelor when she reforms his favorite girl at the Ponderosa Saloon. (Historical Romance (Western), Independently Published) Redeeming Light by Annette O’Hare — While Sarah weathers the deadly storm inside the lighthouse, her prayers are for Frederick, caught in the midst of the tempest. (Historical Romance from White Rose Publishing [Pelican]) To Claim Her Heart by Jodie Wolfe — Elmer Smith didn’t need a man when she competed in the Cherokee Strip Land Run and she sure as shootin’ doesn’t need one to keep her land either. (Historical Romance from Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas) Romantic Suspense: No Safe Place by H. L. Wegley — A young man returning from the far country trying to regain his honor, and a young woman with a heart broken by her parents’ rejection because of her newfound faith, each have what the other needs, but will the assassin who put them on his hit list allow them enough time to discover what they have in each other? (Romantic Suspense from Trinity Press International) Speculative: No Less Days by Amanda G. Stevens — As far as David Galloway knows, he can’t die. He wonders where he fits in the world, in God’s plan for the past and the future. He believes himself to be the only person on earth who hasn’t aged in over a century. He’s wrong about that. (Speculative from Barbour Publishing) Young Adult: Porch Swing Girl by Taylor Bennett — Left at her grandma’s house in Hawaii after a family tragedy, sixteen-year-old Olive Galloway is desperate to fly home to Boston and stop her father before he does anything drastic. (Young Adult from Mountain Brook Ink)  I apologize for the lack of blog posts the last few weeks. My family and I have been in the process of moving 4 hours away to the beautiful Texas Hill Country. While our move has gone smoothly, it's been done in stages. We got everything packed up and then brought two trailer loads of things to the new house before officially moving in on April 18th. At that point, we had our mattress, some essentials, and cots and toys for the kids. The only furniture we had were some folding chairs, but that was certainly better than the floor!  Finally, on Friday the 27th, the movers brought the rest of our things by truck. I can't begin to tell you how wonderful it was to have our couch and recliner back. LOL My husband and I managed to get every box unpacked and the pictures hung up on the wall in a 72-hour period. Yes, we were sore and exhausted. But both of us hate being in limbo and just wanted to be moved in and settled.  I'm already loving this town. This neighborhood, especially, is what neighborhoods used to be 20 or 30 years ago. We've had more people come over and introduce themselves in the nearly two weeks we've been here than any other town I've lived in as an adult. Not only that, but it's refreshing to see kids riding their bikes, scooters, and just out playing together.
An ice cream truck came through one evening and all of the kids gathered around it to choose a treat and then eat them on the sidewalks in front of their homes. We're looking forward to no longer living out of boxes, getting to know our neighbors, and being a part of this community. May is a new beginning for us, and it's looking like a great one!  Join us as we learn more about Laurie Lewis and her book, Love on a Limb. Be sure to scroll down for a FREE book and click on the link at the end to enter the giveaway for $25.00 over on I Am A Reader's blog post!   Matthew Grayken is young, successful, and dying, which is why he’s about to propose to a total stranger. He isn’t interested in love. He needs a caregiver, a companion, and someone to be his legal voice when he can no longer speak for himself. Lonely, compassionate nurse Mikaela Compton is intrigued by Matt Grayken’s tender request, but when their friendly marriage turns into love, she rejects the inevitability of Matt’s death and prays for a miracle instead. Mikaela succeeds in reigniting Matt’s will to fight, but his body is losing the battle and he is suffering. She recognizes that her urgent need to save Matt has caused her to betray the fundamental promise she made him–to help him die peaceably. Matt needs a miracle, and Mikaela believes one is attainable, but she will need to leave him at the hour of his greatest need. She’s about to learn that while love sometimes draws you close, it sometimes requires you to go out on a limb.     |
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