Carrie Turansky's Blog, page 4
February 16, 2023
Seeking His Love on Sale!
Seeking His Love is on sale for only .99 Cents through 2/20/23 at Amazon, or it’s free if you have Kindle Unlimited! Download and enjoy this heartwarming and inspiring story today!
For these two wounded hearts, it will take a great leap of faith to overcome past hurts and give love a chance to grow.
False accusations from the past haunt Rachel Clark, the new director of the Northcoast Christian Youth Theater. Seeking to make a fresh start in Fairhaven, Washington, she rents space for her drama group from an artists’ cooperative led by reclusive frame shop owner Cameron McKenna. To keep his financially strapped co-op afloat, Cam agrees to include Rachel’s program, but he’s not sure he can trust the attractive director or tolerate having her students in his building.
Cam is a widower with painful secrets of his own, and when he must temporarily care for his fourteen-year-old niece, he needs Rachel’s practical help and advice. Their friendship deepens to romance, but then past secrets come to light, and Cam must decide if he will risk his heart and his future to help Rachel rebuild her reputation and save the youth theater program. Will old wounds destroy their fragile relationship, or can their renewed faith–in the Lord and in each other–help them find a love that lasts forever
Author: Carrie Turansky
Series: Bayside Treasures, Book 1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Flowing Stream
Publication Year: February 2019
Length: a complete novel
ASIN: B07ML1XFKG
ISBN: 9781733529211
Until Next Time ~ Happy Reading!
Carrie
February 9, 2023
Be Our Valentine Giveaway
We LOVE our readers . . . and that means you! I’ve teamed up with four of your favorite authors to celebrate Valentine’s Day with a special five-book Valentine Giveaway! These wonderful books are filled with drama, romance, history, and inspiration! Scroll down and take a look at each title, then fill out the Rafflecopter form between February 10 – 15 to enter! This giveaway is open to US and international reading friends. Happy Valentine’s Day! You are loved!
The Rose and the Thistle: Amid the Jacobite uprising of 1715, an English heiress flees to the Scottish lowlands to stay with allies of her powerful family. But while castle walls may protect her from the enemy outside, a whirlwind of intrigue, shifting allegiances, and temptations of the heart lie within. Learn more about Laura and her books at her website.
Yesterday’s Tides: When special agent Sterling Bertrand is washed ashore at Evie’s inn, her life is turned upside down. While Sterling’s injuries keep him inn-bound for weeks, making him even more anxious about the man he’s tracking, he becomes increasingly intrigued by Evie, who seems to be hiding secrets of her own.
As Evie and Sterling work to track down an elusive German agent, they unravel mysteries that go back a generation. The ripples from the Great War are still rocking their lives, and it seems yesterday’s tides may sweep them all into danger again today. Learn more about Roseanna and her books at her website.
A Hundred Crickets Singing: Eighty years apart, two women from the same manor aid soldiers and fight for justice. As North Carolina secedes in 1861, Minnie tries to help her brothers—on opposing sides—and free the family’s slaves. In 1944, a storm rips the attic apart, exposing a hidden room and secret-filled trunk, fueling estate worker Celia’s determination to expose the truth. Learn more about Cathy and her books at her website.
Holding the Line: A widow at just thirty years of age, Rose Finlay is determined to put all ideas of marriage and family behind her and pursue an independent life. But when she notices a young woman about to be led astray by a roguish aristocrat, bitter memories from her past arise, and she feels compelled to intervene. The unintended consequences of her efforts will ultimately force Rose to reexamine her life in a new light. Learn more about Jennifer and her books at her website:
No Journey Too Far: In 1909, Grace McAlister set sail for Canada as one of the thousands of British Home Children taken from their families and their homeland. Though she is fortunate enough to be adopted by wealthy parents, the secrets of her past are kept hidden for ten years until someone from her long-buried childhood arrives on her doorstep. With this new connection to her birth family, will she be brave enough to leave her sheltered life in Toronto and uncover the truth? Learn more about Carrie and her books at her website.
Happy Valentine’s Day,
Carrie, Cathy, Roseanna, Jennifer, and Laura
January 2, 2023
Writing to Connect with Readers’ Emotions
Handout for Writing to Connect with Readers’ Emotions
ACFW NY/NJ January 2023
By Carrie Turansky
Readers like to be touched, moved, by the story. They like to imagine themselves in worlds and situations that challenge them, that give them opportunity to do and be something other than what they do or are in their real lives. Fiction allows people to not only step into other worlds, but to experience those worlds. To do what they can’t in a normal day. To feel beyond their normal feelings. We want to give readers a powerful emotional experience! Let’s learn how.
Make your characters sympathetic and relatable.
Make some characters unsympathetic.
Don’t name emotions, show them – Show don’t Tell
Example #1 – Sarah’s boyfriend has just broken up with her.
Telling: Sarah could only hold her tears back until she left the restaurant to walk home. She was devastated about the breakup. (This is a summary statement at a very emotional moment. Use summaries for transitions)
Classic Showing: Sarah lifted her chin and blinked back hot tears as she stepped outside the restaurant. Lowering her head, she set off down the sidewalk. Tears stung her eyes despite her best efforts to hold them back. Her throat burned and tightened, and her fingers went numb as she clenched her purse strap.
Going Deeper: Your Point of View character’s actions are only half the story; how they think and react internally is the other half. Let’s look at the showing example from before to see what it looks like with Sarah’s thoughts mixed in.
Sarah lifted her chin and blinked back hot tears as she stepped outside the restaurant. She wouldn’t give John the satisfaction of seeing her cry, not after everything he’d put her through.
Lowering her head, she set off down the sidewalk. Tears stung her eyes despite her best efforts to hold them back. This was the last time she’d trust a man, the last time she’d let herself be so vulnerable.
Her throat burned and tightened, and her fingers went numb as she clenched her purse strap. Marina had been right. She should have listened and taken her words to heart.
Avoid cliches and strive for fresh writing.
Plot your story with emotional scenes in mind.
Showing Emotions in Supporting Characters vs. Point of View Characters.
Using Thoughts to Convey Emotions without actions.
Tease the Reader with hints of what is to come.
The power of word choice to convey emotion.
Create a situation that’s important, vital, or life altering, if not life threatening.
Put your character under time constraints.
Force your character to decide between a bad choice and a worse choice.
Write realistic scenes with realistic problems.
Surprise the reader by turning the story in an unexpected direction.
Write Conflict into every scene.
16. Adjust the pace for the emotion you want to create.
Reduce unnecessary and unrelated details.
Use setting to influence the reader and deepen the emotional response.
Use sensory details to immerse readers in the scene.
20. Don’t Hesitate to mix emotions.
Add emotion depth as you revise.
If you’d like a copy of my teaching notes for this workshop with the examples, you may email me through the contact page at my website, and I’ll send them to you! Thanks for attending the workshop today. I hope it was helpful for you!
Carrie Turansky – https://carrieturansky.com/
Writing to Connect with Readers’ Emotions Handout
Handout for Writing to Connect with Readers’ Emotions
ACFW NY/NJ January 2023
By Carrie Turansky
Readers like to be touched, moved, by the story. They like to imagine themselves in worlds and situations that challenge them, that give them opportunity to do and be something other than what they do or are in their real lives. Fiction allows people to not only step into other worlds, but to experience those worlds. To do what they can’t in a normal day. To feel beyond their normal feelings. We want to give readers a powerful emotional experience! Let’s learn how.
Make your characters sympathetic and relatable.
Make some characters unsympathetic.
Don’t name emotions, show them – Show don’t Tell
Example #1 – Sarah’s boyfriend has just broken up with her.
Telling: Sarah could only hold her tears back until she left the restaurant to walk home. She was devastated about the breakup. (This is a summary statement at a very emotional moment. Use summaries for transitions)
Classic Showing: Sarah lifted her chin and blinked back hot tears as she stepped outside the restaurant. Lowering her head, she set off down the sidewalk. Tears stung her eyes despite her best efforts to hold them back. Her throat burned and tightened, and her fingers went numb as she clenched her purse strap.
Going Deeper: Your Point of View character’s actions are only half the story; how they think and react internally is the other half. Let’s look at the showing example from before to see what it looks like with Sarah’s thoughts mixed in.
Sarah lifted her chin and blinked back hot tears as she stepped outside the restaurant. She wouldn’t give John the satisfaction of seeing her cry, not after everything he’d put her through.
Lowering her head, she set off down the sidewalk. Tears stung her eyes despite her best efforts to hold them back. This was the last time she’d trust a man, the last time she’d let herself be so vulnerable.
Her throat burned and tightened, and her fingers went numb as she clenched her purse strap. Marina had been right. She should have listened and taken her words to heart.
Avoid cliches and strive for fresh writing.
Plot your story with emotional scenes in mind.
Showing Emotions in Supporting Characters vs. Point of View Characters.
Using Thoughts to Convey Emotions without actions.
Tease the Reader with hints of what is to come.
The power of word choice to convey emotion.
Create a situation that’s important, vital, or life altering, if not life threatening.
Put your character under time constraints.
Force your character to decide between a bad choice and a worse choice.
Write realistic scenes with realistic problems.
Surprise the reader by turning the story in an unexpected direction.
Write Conflict into every scene.
16. Adjust the pace for the emotion you want to create.
Reduce unnecessary and unrelated details.
Use setting to influence the reader and deepen the emotional response.
Use sensory details to immerse readers in the scene.
20. Don’t Hesitate to mix emotions.
Add emotion depth as you revise.
If you’d like a copy of my teaching notes for this workshop with the examples, you may email me through the contact page at my website, and I’ll send them to you! Thanks for attending the workshop today. I hope it was helpful for you!
Carrie Turansky – https://carrieturansky.com/
December 19, 2022
Christmas House Tour 2022
Merry Christmas, and welcome to our home! We love to decorate our house for Christmas, and we enjoy inviting friends and family to come for a visit.
This year we did a major remodeling project, opening up our living room, dining room, and kitchen into one room. We started planning the project last spring and just finished the final details this month! We added built-in bookshelves and an electric fireplace for cozy atmosphere in the living room area.
Our “new” living room.
Scott is very handy, and we are thrifty, so we put in the vinyl flooring ourselves. He also did most of the electrical and lighting work. We hired help with the sheetrock and painting, and then found two young men who are are carpenters-in-training to help with with some of other work, including new stairs and railings.
Our landing – entry way.
I searched Facebook Marketplace for some furniture I could refinish or paint, and found a dining table, desk, filing cabinet, ottoman, rolling kitchen island, recliner, and console table for the entry landing. (above) We waited for the Labor Day Sale to purchase our two new couches and dinging room chairs and hutch.
Our dining room with a peek at my desk in the far right.
We considered getting new cabinets for the kitchen, but after a couple estimates, we decided to have them painted white instead. We’re pleased with the updated color and the way it brightens up that space.
Our kitchen.
There’s more room in the kitchen, and that makes it easier to prepare meals and have friends and family join us. We’re looking forward to our first family gathering in this newly remodeled space during the week between Christmas and New Years.
Our Christmas tree in our living room.
The Christmas tree fits nicely in that corner ,and when we take it down we’ll finish hanging art on the wall there. Our Christmas tree is a “memory tree” filled with ornaments from our travels and ornaments that are gifts from friends and family.
Homemade Christmas ornaments.
Some are gifts from dear friends.
The built-in shelves in our living room.
We hope you enjoyed your visit! Scott and I wish you a very Merry Christmas. May you be blessed with God’s peace of heart and mind as you celebrate Jesus’s birth this Christmas!
Until Next Time ~ Happy Reading!
Carrie
November 2, 2022
Across the Blue is Available in Audio!
It’s release week for Across the Blue Audiobook! Step back to 1909 when early aviation was the rage and the race to be the first to fly across the English Channel was on everyone’s mind. Meet our heroine Isabella Grayson, the daughter of a wealthy newspaper owner, who longs to become a journalist in an era when young women like Bella had few options. Get to know our hero, James Drake, who is designing and flying the airplane he hopes will take him across the Channel to win a prestigious prize and erase his shameful family history.
I’m thrilled with Amiee Lilly’s wonderful narration of this English historical novel that includes family drama, romance, inspiration with a dash of history and high-flying adventure. She did a wonderful job with the character’s voices and accents and truly brings this story to life in a way that will capture your heart and mind!
You can listen on Audible, Chirp, or wherever you like to listen to audio books. It should soon be available at libraries that offer the audiobook programs like Overdrive and Libby. Across the Blue is also available in paperback, and eBook if that’s how you like to enjoy a novel. Visit my website for easy order links.
Until Next Time ~ Happy Reading and Listening!
Carrie
September 21, 2022
Birthday Giveaway 2022
September is here, and I’m celebrating my birthday with a fun giveaway for you! Just answer these questions in your comment to enter the giveaway:
1. When is your birthday, and what is one of your favorite ways to celebrate?
2. Which of these books would you like to receive?
Two winners will be chosen on September 30, and they will each receive a paperback copy of one of these books. This giveaway is for US reading friends only. Thank you!
Escape From Amsterdam by Lauralee Bliss. Helen Smit believed she was called by God to become a teacher. Little does she know that her care for kids will take a drastic turn for survival when the Germans occupy Amsterdam and Jewish children and parents begin to be deported. Now all she can think of is helping all the kids escape before it’s too late.
As Dawn Breaks by Kate Breslin. Amid the Great War in 1918 England, munitions worker Rosalind Graham is desperate to escape the arranged marriage being forced on her by her ruthless guardian and instead follow her own course. When the Chilwell factory explodes, killing hundreds of unidentified workers, Rose realizes the world believes she perished in the disaster. Seizing the chance to escape, she risks all and assumes a new identity, taking a supervisory position in Gretna, Scotland, as Miss Tilly Lockhart.
Happy Reading ~ Until Next Time,
Carrie
April 5, 2022
A Hundred Crickets Singing
I’m delighted to tell you about A Hundred Crickets Singing, a new novel by Cathy Gohlke that releases today. It’s available in hard cover, paperback, eBook, and audio. Cathy is a good friend and very talented author who has written many award-winning books, including Night Bird Calling, The Medallion, Secrets She Kept, and Promise Me This. I’m sure this new story will stir your heart and give you much to enjoy and ponder. I’ll be giving away a copy, so keep reading to learn more!
Here’s more about A Hundred Crickets Singing . . .
In wars eighty years apart, two young women living on the same Appalachian estate determine to aid soldiers dear to them and fight for justice, no matter the cost.
1944. When a violent storm rips through the Belvidere attic in No Creek, North Carolina, exposing a hidden room and trunk long forgotten, secrets dating back to the Civil War are revealed. Celia Percy, whose family lives and works in the home, suspects the truth could transform the future for her friend Marshall, now fighting overseas, whose ancestors were once enslaved by the Belvidere family. When Marshall’s Army friend, Joe, returns to No Creek with shocking news for Marshall’s family, Celia determines to right a long-standing wrong, whether or not the town is ready for it.
1861. After her mother’s death, Minnie Belvidere works desperately to keep her household running and her family together as North Carolina secedes. Her beloved older brother clings to his Union loyalties, despite grave danger, while her hotheaded younger brother entangles himself and the family’s finances within the Confederacy. As the country and her own home are torn in two, Minnie risks her life and her future in a desperate fight to gain liberty and land for those her parents intended to free, before it’s too late.
With depictions of a small Southern town “reminiscent of writings by Lisa Wingate” (Booklist on Night Bird Calling), Cathy Gohlke delivers a gripping, emotive story about friendship and the enduring promise of justice.
Here’s more about Cathy . . .
Bestselling, Christy Hall of Fame, and Carol and INSPY Award-winning author, Cathy Gohlke writes novels steeped with inspirational lessons, speaking of world and life events through the lens of history. She champions the battle against oppression, celebrating the freedom found only in Christ. When not traveling to historic sites for research, she and her husband, Dan, divide their time between Northern Virginia and the Jersey Shore, enjoying time with their grown children and grandchildren. Visit her website at www.cathygohlke.com, and find her on Facebook at CathyGohlkeBooks; on Bookbub (@ CathyGohlke); and on YouTube, where you can subscribe to Book Gems with Cathy Gohlke for short videos of book recommendations.
To enter the giveaway, please answer these questions in a comment on this blog post: Have you read one of Cathy’s books? If so, which is your favorite? If not, which would you like to read? Visit her website to see her list of books.
Until Next Time ~ Happy Reading,
Carrie
February 10, 2022
Be Our Valentine!
Hi Friends, We LOVE our readers . . . and that means you! We’re celebrating Valentine’s Day with a special six-book giveaway! These wonderful books are filled with drama, romance, history, and inspiration! Scroll down and take a look, then fill out the Rafflecopter form between February 10 – 15 to enter! This giveaway is open to US and international reading friends. Happy Valentine’s Day! You are loved!
Eighty years apart, two women from the same manor aid soldiers and fight for justice. As North Carolina secedes in 1861, Minnie tries to help her brothers—on opposing sides—and free the family’s slaves. In 1944, a storm rips the attic apart, exposing a hidden room and secret-filled trunk, fueling estate worker Celia’s determination to expose the truth. 432 pages, softcover from Tyndale.
The McAlister siblings have been searching for their missing sister since they were taken to Canada as British Home Children in 1909. After serving in WWI, Garth returns to Canada to his sweetheart, Emma, and to look for Grace. When Emma is accused of a crime, can Garth prove her innocence—and find his sister? 320 pages, softcover from Multnomah.
After a deadly explosion at her munitions factory kills her best friend, Rosalind longs to escape and begin a new life. Armed with a false ID card, she flees to another factory in Scotland. But when RAF captain Alex Baird arrives to investigate and prevent a second blast, things get complicated. Should Rosalind risk telling him everything? 400 pages, softcover from Bethany.
As the French and Indian War threatens York, Virginia, Esmee grieves a decade-old failed relationship. Meanwhile, Captain Henri Lennox returns to complete the lighthouse guarding Chesapeake Bay—until the colonial government orders him on a secret mission. Will the conflict drive him and Esmee further apart, or will their shared vision bring them together again? 416 pages, softcover from Revell.
Beth Tremayne has always been drawn to adventure. During her childhood, she fed that desire by exploring every inch of the Isles of Scilly. Now, after stumbling across an old collection of letters and a map buried on her family’s property, she’s found more adventure than she ever anticipated in the hunt for pirate treasure. But in order to discover where the clues lead, she must search alongside Lord Sheridan, a man she finds insufferable. 384 pages, softcover from Bethany House.
American Grace Tonquin works tirelessly to rescue French Jewish children from the Nazis. When she returns to Oregon with two orphans, trauma from the Holocaust threatens her family. Fifty years later, Addie Hoult searches for the missing Tonquin family to save her friend Charlie from a genetic disease. Can she find them—and heal his broken past? 384 pages, softcover from Tyndale.
We wish you a heartfelt happy Valentine’s Day!
Carrie
February 1, 2022
New Releases February 2022
Hi Friends, winter is a great time to enjoy reading! These are the new novels being released this month from American Christian Fiction Writer members. I hope you’ll take a look and find your next great read!
Contemporary Romance:
Checked Impressions by Carolyn Miller — parks fly when a hometown hockey hero meets a classy art-loving museum guide hiding a secret…Jai Mullins is used to being the fastest man on ice. Trouble is, his ability to find a genuine woman is tracking at glacial melt levels. He’s trusting God she’s out there, but he’s wary of getting trapped by a superfan, when all he wants is someone with whom he can be real. Allie Davis has two great loves: impressionist art and hockey. More specifically, a certain hockey player. But between her shyness and her family, she’s convinced she’ll never meet him, let alone connect with him in a non-embarrassing way. Until she does. And they connect. And romance sparks. But she is hiding a big secret, and he’s about to find that first impressions sometimes need a reality check. Will they learn to trust and find a way forward, or will half-truths lead to further hurt on opposite sides of the country and lonely lives? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)
Her Tycoon Hero by Narelle Atkins — Cassie Beaumont believes in second chances. Cassie is set on proving she’s no longer a party girl, instead focusing on her career as an event planner. Ryan Mitchell, her dad’s top executive, proves to be a handsome distraction, especially when someone from Cassie’s wild past tries to draw her back into the life she has worked hard to escape. Ryan is taken with his boss’s beautiful daughter. But he is slow to trust, having been burned by a brother who ran in the same circles. When Cassie’s newfound faith works its way into his heart, Ryan wants to claim both Cassie and her faith as his own. Can they forgive past mistakes and navigate a future together? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)
In Search of a Prince by Toni Shiloh — Brielle Adebayo is fully content teaching at a New York City public school and taking annual summer vacations with her mother to Martha’s Vineyard. But everything changes when her mom drops the mother of all bombshells–Brielle is a princess in the kingdom of Oloro Ilé, Africa, and she must immediately assume her royal position, since the health of her grandfather, King Tiwa Jimoh Adebayo, is failing.
Distraught by her mother’s betrayal, Brielle is further left spinning when the Oloro Ilé Royal Council brings up an old edict that states she must marry before assuming the throne or the crown will be passed to another. Uncertain who to choose from the council’s list of bachelors, she struggles with the decision along with the weight of her new role in a new country. With her world totally shaken, she must take a chance on love and brave the perils a wrong decision may bring. (Contemporary Romance from Bethany House (Baker) Publishing)
Secrets of Their Past by Allie Pleiter — Facing the past could change his future. Veterinarian Neal Rodgers is in Wander Canyon seeking the truth about his past—not to rescue a litter of kittens under his next-door neighbor’s porch. But persistent single-mom Tessa Kennedy is impossible to ignore—especially when she uncovers a family secret of her own. Discovering the hidden facts of their histories could be the key to unlocking everything in this small town. (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired (Harlequin))
The Valentine Proposal by Beth Pugh — Can Love Be 10 Years in the Making? Award-winning photographer Mason Montgomery is back in Pine Valley, Kentucky. Hopefully, for good, if his business proposal is accepted. On paper, he’s the perfect buyer for Forget-Me-Not Photography. Too bad the seller, Ol’ Man Rowe, doesn’t see it that way. He’s looking for a family man to take over, and Mason’s bachelor status doesn’t fit the bill.For shy Lily Anne Dawson, life has not turned out the way she’d hoped. Working at her mother’s bakery and editing for the local newspaper is a far cry from her journalistic dream. She’s a failure. A lonely failure worrying about infertility with no romantic prospects in sight. That all changes when a decade-old promise to marry on Valentine’s Day pushes the two together at their high school reunion. The impromptu proposal offers a solution to their problems. But marriage requires honesty―and both have secrets. Secrets that could make or break their budding love. (Contemporary Romance from Candlelight (an imprint of Iron Stream Media))
To Belong Together by Emily Conrad — Fame and money have a way of complicating love. Drummer John Kennedy can keep a beat, but he can’t hold a conversation, so he relies on actions to show he cares. Unfortunately, when he’s instantly intrigued by a spunky female mechanic, he can’t seem to convey the sincerity of his intentions. And the rejections don’t stop there. His own sister is pushing him away just when he could help her most. Erin Hirsh’s life would be easier if God hadn’t given her a love for cars. Only her father understood her, and she’s losing him to dementia. Her brief romances have always backfired worse than a mistuned engine, and she refuses to give John the chance to wreck her heart. A rock star with a supermodel ex can’t possibly see anything in her. At least that’s what she thinks until they find common ground in faith and their worsening family situations leave them each longing for a place to belong. Could God intend for this pair of opposites to belong together? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)
Strength in the Storm by Laurel M. Blount — After the murder of both her parents, Emma Hochstedler returns to the small community of Johns Mill, hoping to resume her quiet existence. Reclaiming her place proves harder than expected—especially now that a movie is being made about her family’s loss. But then, an old friend offers her a lifeline that gives her new purpose. Amish builder Samuel Christner is the biggest—and the strongest—man in town. In fact, the gentle giant has only one weakness—Emma. Even though she broke his heart, he won’t let his childhood sweetheart face her troubles alone. He hires Emma as a nurse for his elderly aunt…and finds himself falling for her all over again. (Amish Romance from Berkley Penguin Random House)
Biblical:
Defending David by Barbara M. Britton — When a quiet journey to Jerusalem turns tragic, newly orphaned Rimona must flee a kinsman set on selling her as a slave. Racing into the rocky hills outside of Hebron, Rimona is rescued by a Philistine commander journeying to Jerusalem with six-hundred warriors. Exiled commander, Ittai the Gittite, is seeking refuge in the City of David. Protecting a frantic Hebrew woman is not in his leadership plan. Although, having a nobleman’s niece in his caravan might prove useful for finding shelter in a foreign land. Rimona and Ittai arrive in Jerusalem on the eve of a rebellion. In the chaos of an heir’s betrayal, will they be separated forever, or can they defend King David and help the aging monarch control his rebellious son? (Biblical from Harbourlight Books (Pelican))
Historical:
Avenue of Betrayal by Sandra Merville Hart — Betrayed by her brother and the man she loves…whom can she trust when tragedy strikes? Soldiers are pouring into Washington City every day and have begun drilling in preparation for a battle with the Confederacy. Annie Swanson worries for her brother, whom she’s just discovered is a Confederate officer in his new home state of North Carolina. Even as Annie battles feelings of betrayal toward the big brother she’s always adored, her wealthy banker father swears her and her sister to secrecy about their brother’s actions. How could he forsake their mother’s abolitionist teachings?Sergeant-Major John Finn camps within a mile of the Swansons’ mansion where his West Point pal once lived. Sweet Annie captured his heart at Will’s wedding last year and he looks forward to reestablishing their relationship—until he’s asked to spy on her father.To prove her father’s loyalty to the Union, John agrees to spy on the Swanson family, though Annie must never know. Then the war strikes a blow that threatens to destroy them all—including the love that’s grown between them against all odds. (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)
Gold Rush Bride Tegan by Linda Shenton Matchett — Tegan Llewellyn has always been different than her adopted family, except Grandmother Hannah, a prospector during the 1829 Georgia gold rush. Now, seventy years later there are reports of gold in Nome, and the opportunity is too good to pass up. But Tegan doesn’t count on the dangers that strike from the moment she steps off the steamer, including the threat of losing her heart. Elijah Hunter has prospected for gold all over the US and Canada and likes being on the move. The last thing he expects to find on his latest search is a lady miner who proves to be nothing but trouble. Can he convince her that leaving is for her own good before it’s too late…for both of them? (Historical Romance from Shortwave Press)
Lumberjacks and Ladies by Jennifer Lamont Leo, et. al — Lumberjacks and Ladies Work Together to Build America…Struggling to remain independent in the 1800s, four women reluctantly open up to help from lumberjacks—and love. All That Glitters by Candice Sue Patterson, 1851—Maine. Winifred finds herself running the family lobstering business when her father and brothers join the California gold rush. Will she stubbornly reject help from a local lumberjack? Winter Roses by Pegg Thomas, 1865—Michigan. Elizabeth cooks for a logging crew, spurning the men’s advances, until reoccurring gifts capture her attention. Will she heed her mother’s warning about “shanty boys”? Not for Love by Naomi Musch, 1881—Wisconsin. Widowed, Maggie seeks a husband—in name only—from the logging camps, but the man who answers her letter is a surprise. Can she open her heart to love again? Undercover Logger by Jennifer Lamont Leo, 1890—Idaho. Carrie will not sell her timberland and allows the banker’s nephew to sign onto her logging crew to ferret out the reason she is losing money at an alarming rate. Will truth be revealed to her forlorn heart? (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)
Mrs. Witherspoon Goes to War by Mary Eileen Davis — A WASP Goes Above the Call of Duty to Free Captive American Soldiers. Full of intrigue, adventure, and romance, this new series celebrates the unsung heroes–the heroines of WWII. Peggy Witherspoon, a widow, mother, and pilot flying for the Women Airforce Service Pilots in 1944 clashes with her new reporting officer. Army Air Corp Major Howie Berg was injured in combat and is now stationed at Bolling Field in Washington D.C. Most of Peggy’s jobs are safe, predictable, and she can be home each night with her two daughters–until a cargo run to Cuba alerts her to American soldiers being held captive there, despite Cuba being an “ally.” Will Peggy go against orders to help the men–even risk her own life? (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)
Until Leaves Fall in Paris by Sarah Sundin — As the Nazis march toward Paris in 1940, American ballerina Lucie Girard buys her favorite English-language bookstore to allow the Jewish owners to escape. Lucie struggles to run Green Leaf Books due to oppressive German laws and harsh conditions, but she finds a way to aid the resistance by passing secret messages between the pages of her books. Widower Paul Aubrey wants nothing more than to return to the States with his little girl, but the US Army convinces him to keep his factory running and obtain military information from his German customers. As the war rages on, Paul offers his own resistance by sabotaging his product and hiding British airmen in his factory. After they meet in the bookstore, Paul and Lucie are drawn to each other, but she rejects him when she discovers he sells to the Germans. And for Paul to win her trust would mean betraying his mission. (Historical Romance from Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group)
Wilderness Wife by Delores Topliff — arguerite Wadin MacKay believes her 17-year marriage to explorer, Alex MacKay, is strong—until sudden fame makes him announce their frontier marriage is void in Montréal where he now goes to choose a society wife—not one with native blood. Taking their son, MacKay sends Marguerite and their three daughters to a trading post where she lived as a child. Deeply shamed, she arrives in time to assist young visiting Doctor John McLoughlin with a medical emergency. Marguerite now lives only for her girls. When Fort William on Lake Superior opens a school, Marguerite moves there for her daughters’ sake. Newly assigned there, Doctor McLoughlin’s friendship with Marguerite grows. When he declares his love, she dissuades him from a match harmful to his career. She’s mixed blood and nine years older. He will have no one else. After abandonment, can a woman love again and fulfill the key role in North American History that is her destiny? (General Historical from Scrivenings Press)
With a Trusting Heart by Dawn Kinzer — Will trust be the winning ticket to mending two wounded hearts? The 1909 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition is taking place in Seattle with participants from all over the world when Lizzie Clark accepts a position at an orphanage in the city. After suffering heartbreak and loss, she is determined to make a life for herself independently. Jack Butler’s mother abandoned their family when he was a young boy. Loyalty to his father cost him fulfilling his own aspirations, so Jack strives to take their family farm in a new direction. A newborn is left at the orphanage with a note asking Lizzie to take care of him. Why did the woman abandon her child? And why is Jack, a handsome local farmer so interested in helping Lizzie search for the infant’s mother?
When shocking revelations disrupt their plans, Lizzie and Jack are faced with life-changing decisions. Will they open their hearts to trusting again? (Historical Romance from Morningview Publishing)
Mystery: Cozy:
Cliffhanger by Susan Page Davis — The Novel Inn’s reopening goes smoothly until a guest vanishes. The new owners prepare for their first large group—a former squad of cheerleaders meeting for a reunion. Things go awry when the head cheerleader fails to show up. Sisters Kate and Jillian, the innkeepers, enlist the help of their brother Rick, a local police officer. They’re confident the missing woman will be found, but they soon learn to expect the unexpected, even during a walk on the beach. (Mystery: Cozy from Scrivenings Press)
Mystery: Romance:
The Prediction by Jean Rezab — Thea deals with the limits her father places on her when she has a vision of his death. He has never accepted her ability, and he also deals with his own depression regarding his past. (Mystery: Romance, Independently Published)
Thriller/Suspense/Romance:
Safe House Exposed by Darlene L. Turner — Witness protection should have kept them safe. Instead, it left them completely exposed…Canadian border patrol officer Emma James has only one concern after putting a crime boss behind bars: keeping her daughter safe. But witness protection has a leak, and Emma’s enemies know exactly where to find her. Now on the run with no safe haven, trusting her estranged former brother-in-law, police constable Mason James, to shield them is her only hope… (Thriller/Suspence/Romance from Love Inspired (Harlequin))
That Scott Woman by Carlene Havel — Maggie Scott returns home in 1966 after serving four years in prison. She has only one goal in mind, to create a secure and stable life for herself. Then Maggie meets Blake Hamilton, ex-rodeo cowboy turned preacher. The chemistry between this unlikely pair is undeniable, but there are problems. Blake is sure his calling is to serve God. Maggie is convinced she is beyond redemption.
Common sense tells Maggie her attraction to Blake will end in heartbreak. (Thriller/Suspense/Romance, Independently Published)
Touch of Innocence by Robin Patchen — How can she protect the child if nobody believes her? Grace used to try to save people, but that was before she realized how powerless she is. Now, she avoids emotional ties, working from her secluded cabin, content with her aloneness. When eight-year-old Lily starts hanging around, Grace enjoys her company but carefully keeps her distance—until she discovers the girl is being exploited. Little though she wants to, she must get involved, even if it means risking her own safety to secure Lily’s. Andrew can’t help but be drawn to his new neighbor and her beautiful foster child. When he learns about Lily’s disturbing history, he offers to help Grace prove her suspicions about the girl’s father. But the more they learn, the more puzzling Lily’s history seems. They work together to unravel the mystery, determined to ensure Lily ends up with a family who loves her. But Lily’s father isn’t giving up his muse—or his obsession—that easily. He believes Lily is rightfully his, and he’ll do anything to get her back. (Thrilled/Suspense/Romance, Independently Published)
Plus check out these recent additions to Fiction Finder published within the past month.
Boundary Waters Search and Rescue: Beyond Imagination by Joy Harding, An old foe, unimaginable twists, and deep disappointments challenge both Jack’s and Liz’s faith and their young marriage. (Contemporary Romance) Dear Beth by Alyssa Schwartz, Might it finally be time for her to risk her heart again? (Romance – Novella) Recaptured from Oblivion by Cindy M. Amos, In the heat of pursuit, ordination slips toward a far-off horizon— or can Karch safeguard Lolo and recapture his dreams from oblivion? (Contemporary Romance) Sleep Deprived by Therese Heckenkamp, An odd encounter in a cemetery. A baby in need. Every mom’s worst nightmare. (Thriller/Suspense/Romance) Still the One by Rachel D. Russel, It’s never too late to finish a love story… (Contemporary Romance) The Winter Rose by Melanie Dobson, In this gripping WWII time-slip novel from the author whose books have been called “propulsive” and a “must-read” (Publishers Weekly), Grace Tonquin is an American Quaker who works tirelessly in Vichy France to rescue Jewish children from the Nazis. (Historical Romance)Though Darkness Descend by Janet Joanou Weiner, With persecution of the Huguenots intensifying in 17th century France, what will be the cost of her unbelief? (General Historical)
More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website
