Julie Arduini's Blog, page 23

Fiction Finder May 2022 Releases

May 2022 New Releases

More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website

Contemporary Romance:

Anchored Hearts by Julie Arduini — Can two go-getters surrender their need to control and find a happily-ever-after? Jordyn Bell Hart succeeds in everything she does. Her promotion to morning show co-anchor blossoms her career in the same way her mother’s work had. Jordyn keeps tabs on her family and enjoys helping them grow. When life around her starts to change, can she surrender her desire to control? Spencer Collins knows how to balance a busy life. He has his work as a reporter, his time caregiving for his grieving father, and looking out for his little brother. When he learns he’s the new co-anchor of a morning show with Jordyn Hart, can he handle working with a celebrity who brings a lot of challenges to life on and off the set? (Contemporary Romance from Surrendered Scribe Media)

Finding Love in San Antonio by Miralee Ferrell and Kimberley Rose Johnson — For TV chef Adela Romero, the lights of LA have lost their luster. The grief of her husband’s death three years ago still hangs heavy over her and her daughter, Fabi. When Adela returns to San Antonio for a summer break with her daughter, she learns her mother-in-law’s Mexican diner is struggling. Adela wants to help, but her career is tugging her in another direction.Local food critic David Agraponte has a history with Adela. A history he’d like to rekindle. When he interviews Adela, sparks fly—both good and bad. In Adela’s struggle to put her past behind her, she’s tentative about a new relationship, but David hopes she’ll stay at Romero’s long enough to give him a chance. (Contemporary Romance from Mountain Brook Ink)

From Shore to Shore by Tabitha Bouldin — Bree Jamison comes to Sparrow Island for one reason: to study coral reefs. She’s not interested in happily-ever-after and certainly won’t allow her handsome boat captain to sway her into believing these islands are different from any others. But when she finds an old shipwreck and learns the history of pirates and treasure, Bree finds herself searching for something that always feels just out of reach. Cooper Carmichael takes the job as boat captain for the enigmatic Bree to further his career. He never expected her to be so driven—or so painfully opposed to God. All Cooper wants is his happy island life. He wants for nothing. In fact, he’s made it his mission to be content. In every aspect of his life. Bree throws a wrench in his plan as her presence pushes Cooper to want for things he deems unnecessary. A man striving for contentment. A woman who believes God is picking on her. (Contemporary Romance from Celebrate Lit Publishing)

Home Where She Belongs by Penny Frost McGinnis — Small-town romance with a dash of mystery and the promise of hope. Tired of being a pawn for her father and an emotional punching bag for her ex-boyfriend, Sadie Stewart escapes to Abbott Island where she spent summers with her grandparents. Would the love and faith she learned from them be enough to fuel her new life? She wants to believe God’s promises, yet broken trust holds her back. Joel Grayson left the island long enough to train at the Police Academy. The community trusts him, even though he’s failed. When he finds Sadie at her grandparents’ cottages, his heart skips a beat. He’d love to get to know her again, but no one needs to share the hurt he harbors. When Sadie discovers someone is sabotaging her future, she seeks Joel’s help. As they are drawn together, will Joel let down his guard and let her in? Will Sadie trust the man who loves her and the Father Who cares? (Contemporary Romance from Mt. Zion Ridge Press)

If You Rescue Me by Jerusha Agen — Can his love set her free? Not all prisons have bars. Charlotte Davis should know—she’s lived in a prison of abuse for years. When her abuser goes too far and threatens her ten-year-old daughter, Charlotte runs to the stranger her mother believed would save her. She hopes to find answers and escape, but she doesn’t expect to meet a man who’s everything she fears yet everything she could love. Police Sergeant Gabe Kelly can tell Charlotte’s hiding something and doesn’t trust cops. But despite his better judgment, his heart is drawn toward Charlotte and her little girl. What begins as kindness threatens to turn into something riskier if Gabe doesn’t get ahold of his feelings. When Charlotte’s secrets catch up with her, Gabe’s badge puts them on opposite sides of the bars between them. Will God’s redemption be enough to set them free to love? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

Love in Second Bloom by Sandra Ardoin — She’s searching for direction. He’s trying to change his.
Are they beyond renewing the dream of a future they once believed in? At a crossroads in her career, Erin Ward works as a groundskeeper in a small town filled with precious, romantic memories. With Shaun Hadley’s surprise arrival, Erin dreams of a second chance at romance with the guy she broke up with in college. But Shaun isn’t the same man she once loved, and she blames herself. As an easygoing college computer geek, Shaun let Erin’s rejection light a determined fire under him. Today, he’s a successful businessman seeking to relax. Letting go of his workaholic ways is harder than he’d imagined, even when it threatens both his health and a renewed relationship with the love of his life. What hope do they have when Shaun can’t slow down, and Erin refuses to stand up for herself and their future…again? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

A Mother for His Son by Betty Woods — Back in the little town of Sunrise, Texas, to help her grandmother, Dallas chef Rachel Landry plans to use the time to heal her broken heart. She has no need to help handsome neighbor Mac Greer with his guest ranch. But her growing affection for his little boy could be just the push she needs to once again see the possibility of something more. (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired (Harlequin))

Not Since You by Dulcie Dameron — When Claudia Clark was involved in a tragic accident in high school, it set her on a devastating path toward heartbreak. For the past eight years, she’s carefully guarded her heart. With her business now thriving, she doesn’t have time for any unwanted distractions. She’s learned from her mistakes. But when the biggest one of all comes face to face with her again, she starts to question the belief she’s desperately clung to for so long. Dorian Vance can’t get over his past—or the girl that it’s wrapped up in. So when a family emergency brings him back to the small town of River Hollow, he decides it’s time to accept the truth and confront the girl he left behind. Unfortunately for him, she’s dead set on making him pay for his sins. As sparks start flying and well-meaning townsfolk meddle in their affairs, Dorian and Claudia are forced to resurrect old ghosts that lay buried in a mire of guilt and shame. But as they find themselves in the center of a vengeful scheme, the hope and forgiveness they seek seem impossible to obtain. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

Royally Married by Jill Boyce — Dr. Claire Thomson, queen of Amorley, has banished all the dragons in her life—or so she hopes. Her wedding to Ethan Kane, the love of her life, looms on the horizon, yet unwelcome houseguests of her stepmother, Lord Chicanery of Maltenstein and his son, Hans, threaten her upcoming wedding with new obstacles. New questions abound about the integrity of the crown and the necessity of its future. If Claire cannot prove her loyalty to Amorley and disavow her involvement in a nefarious plot to defraud the country’s coffers for personal gain, then she may have to postpone more than just her wedding. She may have to leave the life she’s come to love in her father’s homeland as Parliament calls the monarchy into question. Dangers lurk in the castle, and if Claire’s not careful, she will lose more than her crown; she will lose her life. If she survives, will Claire and Ethan finally make it to the altar and solidify her position as queen? Can she protect the monarchy and those she loves from the evil plans of her enemies? Has time finally run out for Claire on her quest for her happily ever after? (Contemporary Romance from Winged Publications)

Short and Sweet: 13 Sweet, Romantic Stories by Susan Page Davis — This collection of short stories is perfect for quick reads. Fall in love with a firefighter, a florist, a soldier, or a church usher. Join Kelly at a wedding, Sam at a charity box social, and Kara at a date she’s looked forward to for ten years. Whether it’s an office romance or a chance meeting on a railroad platform, join the fun and soak up the romance. (Contemporary Romance from Tea Tin Press)

The Road Home by Cathe Swanson — Christopher Wright came home from Afghanistan a changed man. He’s found peace as an over-the-road trucker, but he’s never forgotten the woman he grew close to overseas – or the promises they made to each other. But when a newspaper article leads him to the Unity Plenkiss Community Center, the elusive Tally isn’t happy to be found – and she’s definitely not interested in picking up where they left off.
After two years on the streets, Tally Zemmer has found a home and begun to heal, building a new life for herself. Christopher’s reappearance is a reminder of her scars and the ghosts that followed her home from Afghanistan. But he’s the one man who knows her secrets and still cares for her. They have a special connection, shared faith, and experiences no one else can claim. Can they find a new road home together? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

What Remains True by Nancy Naigle — Working at a little shop on Main Street in a small town is exactly the break that executive Merry Anna Foster needs following her divorce. She’s made a bet with her ex-husband that she can live on the amount of money she’s giving him in alimony. If she can do it, then Kevin will have to stop complaining and leave her alone. But after three months of this new life, will she even want to leave Antler Creek? (Contemporary Romance from Waterbrook/Multnomah (Random House))

Historical Romance:

A Promise Engraved by Liz Tolsma — Can Promises Made in Times of Struggle Endure 200 Years? Young, spirited Josie Wilkins life is about to take a turn when faced with political turmoil and forbidden love in San Antonio of 1836. John Gilbert has won her heart, despite being a Protestant preacher who is forbidden to practice his faith in Texas. Will either of them survive an epic battle for liberty to create a legacy of love? Nearly 200 years later, Kayleigh Hernandez takes breaks from her demanding job as a refugee coordinator working with Mexican migrants to attend flea markets where she has found a uniquely engraved ring. Enlisting the help of appraiser Brandon Shuman, they piece together a love story long forgotten. But will dangers linked to Kayleigh’s work end her own hopes for leaving a legacy built on hope, faith, and love? (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)

When the Meadow Blooms by Ann H. Gabhart — If any place on God’s earth was designed to help one heal, it is Meadowland. Surely here, at her brother-in-law’s Kentucky farm, Rose and her daughters can recover from the events of the recent past—the loss of her husband during the 1918 influenza epidemic, her struggle with tuberculosis that required a stay at a sanatorium, and her girls’ experience in an orphanage during her illness. At Meadowland, past troubles become rich soil in which faith can grow. Dirk Meadows may have opened his home to his late brother’s widow and her girls, but he keeps his heart tightly closed. The roots of his pain run deep, and the evidence of it is written across his face. Badly scarred by a fire and abandoned by the woman he loved, Dirk fiercely guards his heart from being hurt again. But it may be that his visitors will bring light back into his world and unlock the secret to true healing. (Historical Romance from Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group)

Speculative Fiction:

Celestial by Hannah Mae — For millenniums, angels like Captain Jediah had waged war against their former brethren: the demons. As Keeper of the Abyss, it’s his duty to ensure Appolyon’s army remains imprisoned until the end of the age. Unfortunately, despite all that God had entrusted him with, Jediah is plagued by an unceasing guilt. It drives him to thirst for Christ’s redemptive power, but there’s one glaring problem. He’s not human. God’s gift of salvation is meant for mankind alone. When God appoints him to lead a task force of five wildly different angels to capture two dangerous demons, Jediah ponders if his return to earth might be his only chance to learn what the core of human salvation truly is. however, one of Jediah’s angels hides a secret agenda, and Jediah’s dark past is hellbent on hunting him down too. Can Jediah risk everything for the relief he’s desperate for? Or should he even bother chasing what he cannot have at all? What does living redeemed mean? (Speculative Fiction, Independently Published)

This Dreamer by Sara Watterson — When Evie, an immortal Watcher turned reluctant assassin, finds herself captivated by her intended target, Adan the Dreamer, is it worth the cost to prevent his untimely end? Evie grows restless observing mortals from the safety of her desk in the Control Room. When the promotion for the only job she’s ever wanted—Guardian among humans in Sector Five—is canceled, a friend offers to smuggle her by portal into a booming metropolis called Shura. Evie jumps at the chance to see the world with mortal eyes. Secretly, though, she also hopes to observe Adan, a human Dreamer, in his natural habitat. Only a glimpse, she promises herself. All seems well until she returns to the Control Room, where she has landed in a heap of trouble. Not only did she take an unsanctioned trip to the ground, but the boy, the Dreamer, is missing. And all blame is placed squarely at Evie’s feet. This Dreamer is a clean fantasy romance adventure inspired by Joseph and the coat of many colors. (Speculative Fiction, Independently Published)

Plus check out these recent additions to Fiction Finder published within the past month:

The Rancher’s Want Ad Mix-Up by Megan Besing, A mail-order mistake…Or a made-to-be match? (Historical Romance)

Saving Grace by Candee Fick, Not all heroes wear a uniform. (Contemporary Romance)

Magi Journey: Babylonia by Terry Phillip Garner, Magi Journey – Babylonia – continues the sweeping saga as the Magi continue their journey from Assyria in 734 BC to Bethlehem in the year -0-. (General Historical)

Brides of Seattle by Kimberly Rose Johnson, Three strong women discover love where they least expect it. (Contemporary Romance)

Puppy Ciao: Novel Companion and Study Guide by Annette Ohare, An All in One Devotional and Inspirational Novel Study Guide. (Children’s)

The Bookseller’s Promise by Beth Wiseman, The book leads the trio deep into mysterious questions about life and death, love and loss, and the impenetrable purposes of God. (General Contemporary)

Sabal Palms and the Southern Squall by Terry Overton

New Release: Sabal Palms and the Southern Squall

It is no secret that I love living on the Texas coast! I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.  I set out to write a book about a small coastal town and four good friends. The four close friends, who live in the fictional town of Sabal Palms, are a toss-up between the Golden Girls and Steel Magnolias. They have been friends since before their husbands passed away and have looked out after each other for more than twenty-years. The main character, Elaine, is a struggling Christian fiction writer. Sound familiar? Okay, she is just a tiny bit like me; I do struggle! The difference is, in this book, Elaine’s tossed away drafts of devotionals and inspirational writings, are carried through the air by Divine Intervention in the middle of a category 3 hurricane. By the end of the story, Elaine and her close friends see how God can impact the lives of people who are challenged in a variety of ways.

Here is a little description about the book:

Elaine Smith lived in the small coastal town of Sabal Palms long enough to know when to worry about a squall and when to simply close the windows and wait for it to pass. This one would be significant. It would be significant in terms of damage, but that was to be expected. What no one expected was the profound effect it would have on the lives of people from the Texas coast to New York City. Positive qualities of humanity are often displayed during times of natural disaster. But a supernatural power had attached to this storm and subsequently worked within the hearts of the most needy, the most lonely, and the most sinister. The lives of four delightful women, a homeless teen, a rebellious son, a grieving lover who is at the bottom, a son who lost his faith, and a hired murderer, are all intertwined in the aftereffects of a Category 3 hurricane thanks to a few passages written by one determined woman.

Now, to continue, yes! There is a second Sabal Palms book coming out this summer and I’m writing book 3. More? Okay, there will be a Christmas novella also!

Want to take a beach vacation any day of the year? Travel around the country? Live in a cozy coastal community where the main characters are full of fun and shenanigans? Come to Sabal Palms!

Here is the review by Readers’ Favorite:

BOOK REVIEW

Reviewed by Edith Wairimu for Readers’ Favorite

Sabal Palms and the Southern Squall by Terry Overton is an uplifting novel about four friends whose bond develops as they help each other through tragic times. Elaine is an aspiring writer who hopes to publish more of her writing even though her friends, Mary and Bonnie, do not believe in her work. As a storm approaches their coastal town which lies along the Texas coast, they all gather in Mary’s home together with their friend, Adriana, the newest member of the group. While they wait for the storm to pass, they recount their best and worst experiences. The category three tropical storm leaves overwhelming destruction in its wake. The friends once again turn to each other for strength and support. Elaine’s writing reaches others whose lives are changed through her faith-inspiring devotionals.

The splendid characterization of the characters in Sabal Palms and the Southern Squall and its heartening themes, which include hope and healing, make the novel an outstanding piece of Christian fiction. I felt as though I knew the four friends as I read through the book. I also loved their humorous conversations, their individual eccentric characters, and their close bond. I also liked how Elaine’s faith touched the lives of so many and instilled hope that healing is possible. Other encouraging themes are also skillfully explored as the friends help each other recover and move forward from the storm’s destruction. Sabal Palms and the Southern Squall by Terry Overton is a heart-warming read about friendship and faith’s life-changing ability. It includes lovely, authentic characters and hope-filled scenes.

Link to the book trailer for Sabal Palms:

Buy Link:

Webpage:

https://www.authorterryoverton.com

Blog:

https://terryovertonbooks.com

Terry Overton is a retired university professor of educational and school psychology. She has an Ed.D. in Special Education and a Ph.D. in Psychology. Her professional experience includes teaching public school, teaching at the university level, and being a college dean. She has two children and six grandchildren. Her writing and publication experiences include textbook and journal articles in the fields of special education and school psychology. She seeks to answer God’s call to share the good news and grow the church by writing Christian books and devotionals. Her book Both Sides of the Border is a Firebird Book Award winner in the categories of Cross-Genre, Socio-Political Fiction, and Women’s Fiction. Her book, America of We the People was awarded the Firebird Book Award for Socio-Political and Political categories. She and her husband live in the southern tip of Texas where they enjoy semi-tropical weather and spending time with their friends and family.

Anchored Hearts Available for Pre-Order!

I am SO excited to introduce you to Jordyn Hart and Spencer Collins. Jordyn is the oldest of the Hart sextuplets. This book was hard to write for a lot of reasons. It took years. That was not my plan. Other writing opportunities came up, and then my mom passed. The good news? All of it helped me heal in a way that shaped this book, and it improved my writing. I’m proud of Anchored Hearts.

Here’s a summary of the Surrendering Hearts series:

There will be six books in all. Each Hart sextuplet will receive their own book. The siblings are above. The top row left to right are: Jordyn, Ryan, and Evan. Bottom Row: James, Kelly, and Paige.

Here’s what Anchored Hearts is about:

Can two go-getters surrender their need to control and find a happily-ever-after?

Jordyn Bell Hart succeeds in everything she does. Her promotion to morning show co-anchor blossoms her career in the same way her mother’s work had. Jordyn keeps tabs on her family and enjoys helping them grow. When life around her starts to change, can she surrender her desire to control?

Spencer Collins knows how to balance a busy life. He has his work as a reporter, his time caregiving for his grieving father, and looking out for his little brother. When he learns he’s the new co-anchor of a morning show with Jordyn Hart, can he handle working with a celebrity who brings a lot of challenges to life on and off the set?

The print version is in the works. In order to feature Anchored Hearts for Fiction Finder/BookBub/GoodReads, I created a pre-order for Kindle. To pre-order, click HERE.

Prodigal Lives by Carol McClain

Prodigal Lives is the exciting sequel to Borrowed Lives. Tell us a little about Prodigal Lives.

Life keeps piling problems on Meredith Jaynes. She loses her second foster child—one she was scheduled to adopt. Then Parker Snow refuses to marry her. With only her goats and artisan soap to support her, life will get no better.

If she is honest, though, she still has Crystal. Her funny, happy, loveable toddler makes the sun shine and reminds her of the never-failing love of God.

Pearl Solomon loves her life with her grandfather Guy, but every one of her triumphs is overshadowed by her sisters’ lives. With Mama Meredith, they live a life she envies. Because of her jealousy, she refuses to contact them.

Years later, life for both families twist down paths they do not wish to travel. Pearl knows she’s lost what was most precious in life but has no means of fixing things. Left to her own devices, she spirals out of control.

Meredith finds it harder to mask the despair infertility has brought to her life.

Both families believe they must reconcile themselves to their fates as reality shatters their dreams unless they dig deep for the promise of love.

Will I be confused with the plot if I haven’t read book 1, Borrowed Lives?

I believe book 2 stands alone, but you’d miss out on the rich experience of reading Borrowed Lives.

What inspired you to write Prodigal Lives?

For many years, I worked with drug addicts. To this day, many close friends still labor in the ministry.

Addiction is brutal. Few make permanent inroads to sobriety. The hardest issue with addiction is the children. Innocents are born addicted. Many have long-term issues in health, emotional stability, and their own dependence on alternative substances.

Our labor with those afflicted have seen success through faith in Christ. Then, with the non-judgmental love of mentors, and finally, with the addicts’ own recognition that she made wrong choices and must change.

Following the family from Borrowed Lives, we see how each of the children who were too young to realize their biological parents’ errors, battle the consequences of their parents’ mistakes.

How would you describe your writing style?

I believe in redemption. Although Jesus cleanses us from our sins, the scars linger. If we cling to Christ, our lives become productive, happy, and fulfilled. None of us have fallen so far that Jesus’s love can’t redeem us. Sometimes I shudder when I think of horrific acts people commit. My first reaction is the person should burn forever in hell. That isn’t Jesus’s attitude. He’s a God of redemption. He created beauty and wants each of us to return to that beauty.

Humor influences my outlook on most things. Throughout my novels, satire or comedy or wittiness find their way. These traits act like a spoiled child—I can try to tamp them down, but wit will have its will.

Finally, I paint with language. Metaphors and figurative language dance on my pages breathing life into settings and characters.

Obviously, I don’t overdo things. That would make me a bad, bad writer. And I’m a good one. Just ask my mama.

How does setting influence your work?

Setting often asserts itself first, then the story must follow its demands. My last three novels have been set in Campbell County, Tennessee. I moved here seven years ago and find the area refreshing and exotic.

Addiction and foster care seen through my church family influenced Borrowed Lives, Book 1 of the Treasured Lives series. Deciding to write about what I knew, I set the book in my adopted community. Then the culture had to motivate each character and what happens to them.

What is your background?

I grew up on Long Island, New York. In my twenties, I moved to the northern border. I lived so close to Canada, half the time I thought of myself as Canadian. Here I taught high school English—my favorite class being English Language and Composition. I am, at heart, a style nerd.

After I retired, the cold and politics of New York moved us to Tennessee seven years ago. When we relocated, my husband, Neil, promised me I could have goats. Then he thought better of his promise. In order to enjoy the sweet, little bovids, I had my protagonist in Borrowed Lives, raise them (I tend to become my characters and live through them—on top of being erudite, I’m weird). Neil saw my dreams and being the softy he is, let me have two. As I write, one of my goats Buttercup is pregnant and will have her kid on April 25th—if I did my math right which is always a crapshoot.

Where can I purchase your books and keep up with you?

Prodigal Lives is available only on Amazon at this moment. You can purchase the book at:

I’d love to keep in touch with my readers and also let them know the latest news. You can sign up for my newsletter and blog at:

Carolmcclain.com

McClain’s always been a storyteller. As a child, she composed plays and forced her friends to act. She’d help rally the neighborhood kids and together they’d re-enact their favorite TV shows. Sadly, when the boys played, she never got to be the heroine–just the damsel in distress. Since then she’s discovered the benefits of needing rescue, and so it’s a role she prefers.

McClain lived most of her life in rural, upstate New York where taught high school English for more than thirty years. After years of teaching students how to write, she turned her attention to her own novels.

You can connect with her at carolmcclain.com or on Facebook or Twitter.

Fiction Finder April 2022 New Releases

April 2022 New Releases

More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website

CONTEMPORARY

A Heart to Cherish by Judith McNees — veryone leaves…including God. That’s how Julia Price feels after years of being passed over in foster homes. All she has ever wanted is a family, but when she finds herself pregnant and homeless, her dreams seem further away than ever. Strait-laced good guy Alex Morgan has waited his entire life for the woman God has prepared for him. When he makes it his mission to help Julia, he wonders whether she could be that woman. But why would God lead him to a pregnant non-believer?As Julia struggles with issues of self-worth and trust, can she open her heart to both God and Alex? And can Alex trust their relationship to the One who holds Julia in His hand? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

Every Day Filled with Hope by Shelia W. Stovall — Nineteen years ago, a powerful and influential man assaulted former runway model Casey Bledsoe, resulting in an unwanted pregnancy. Casey’s biggest regret is allowing fear to influence her to give up her baby for adoption. (General Contemporary from Elk Lake Publishing)

If You Light My Way by Jerusha Agen — Can she light up his life when hers goes dark? Oriana Sanders shouldn’t be drawn to Nicanor Pessoa. The handsome, brooding tango dancer couldn’t ever be interested in an elementary school teacher. He reminds her of her inner-city students—troubled but full of potential, if only she can point him to the joy of the Lord. Nicanor has known many beautiful women, but none with the vibrant zest for life that emanates from Oriana. She attracts him like a moth to a flame, making him want to forget the secrets and guilt that have burdened him for years. But how can he forget, when the worst secret of all is the one Oriana won’t be able to forgive? Their growing feelings for each other seem unstoppable until they face a darkness that threatens to tear them apart. Can God help them forgive the unforgivable and bring them through the shadows into the light? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

The Heart of a Cowboy by Elsie Davis — Rusty’s career as a bronc rider is over. Figuring out his next steps in life is more challenging than riding a bull for eight seconds. Surely there were better people more deserving of the new heart he received, people who had more to give back to society than a washed-up rodeo cowboy. Courtney is already struggling with the death of her husband, and the “temporarily relieved of duty” decree from her assistant chef position is too much to handle on her own. The decision to move home is not an easy one, but she doesn’t have much choice. At least not until the insurance company quits balking at paying out on the life insurance policy. When her truck breaks down just outside of Crossroads Creek, it’s Rusty to the rescue. Fate has brought them together, but the truth may not be something either one can handle. Will they rely on faith and trust their own hearts for the answers, or will they run from the past and destroy any chance at a future of happiness together? (Contemporary Romance from Sweet Romance Publishing)

The Bookseller’s Promise by Beth Wiseman — Yvonne Wilson makes the trek from Texas to Indiana with just one goal in mind: to convince Amishman Jake Lantz to sell her client a rare book from his collection. But Jake is as strong-willed as Yvonne. On the eve of his grandfather’s death, Jake vowed never to sell the book, and he intends to keep that promise. But he can’t say more than that, having never read it and not knowing why it was so dear to his grossdaadi. (General Contemporary from HarperCollins Christian Publishing (Thomas Nelson and Zondervan))

General Historical:

Claiming Her Legacy by Linda Goodnight — Frontier women don’t ride off alone to track an outlaw—not even women as capable as tomboy spinster Willa Malone. But Willa desperately needs the bounty money offered for her father’s killer if she’s to keep their homestead and take care of her sisters. That means she needs an expert tracker’s help. Gideon Hartley has the skill, but the handsome trail guide also has a troubling secret…Gideon has spent years trying to numb his pain with whiskey. Little by little, their quest—and Willa’s belief in him—is restoring the sense of purpose he thought he’d lost. Journeying into the heart of danger, they’ll have to face down the past together if they hope to protect their future… (Historical/Women’s Fiction from Love Inspired (Harlequin))

Historical Romance:

A Strike to the Heart by Danielle Grandinetti — Wisconsin, 1933―When a routine mission becomes an ambush that kills his team, Craft Agency sniper Miles Wright determines to find the persons responsible and protect the woman he rescued. But the fierce independence that led Lily Moore to leave her family’s dairy business for the solitary life of a dog trainer and the isolation of her farm don’t make that easy. Neither does his unwanted attraction to her. Meanwhile, escalating incidents confirm that she’s far from safe. Lily fears letting the surprisingly gentle retired marine into her life almost as much as she fears whoever is threatening her. As Wisconsin farmers edge toward another milk strike, one that will surely turn violent, it becomes clear that the plot against Lily may be part of a much larger conspiracy. When the search for her abductor leads close to home, she must decide whether to trust her family or the man who saved her life. (Historical Romance from Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas)

The Marquis’s Pursuit by Lorri Dudley — She’s desperate to keep her secret hidden, but he’s a determined Marquis.

As the son of a duke, Maxwell Oliver Weld, Marquis of Daventry, is allowed entry into the finest of London’s ballrooms, access to political figures, and advice from the best physicians. Yet, his wealth and contacts won’t heal his friend, Charlie, who’s dying from consumption. Hopeful for a miracle, Max persuades Charlie to sail across the Atlantic to stay in the Artesian Hotel on the island of Nevis and bathe in its famous healing springs. Max’s optimism is washed in doubt as the truth unravels about the hotel, its hot springs, and the beautiful caretaker. The blaze of Evelyn Mairi Sheraton’s fiery side has long since been snuffed out. Hunted by a vengeful man from her past, only fortitude and the island’s sanctuary have kept Evelyn alive. She will do whatever it takes to keep her precious secret safe, even work for the demeaning Artesian Hotel owner, Edward Rousseau. However, when a jaunty marquis and his ailing friend arrive, sparks ignite, but Evelyn fears the revealing of her secrets will burn her to ash. (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)

Mystery:

Persian Blue Puzzle by Susan Page Davis — Someone’s broken into Miss Louanne’s house. Campbell McBride and her father Bill have moved their home and detective business into an old Victorian house. Their new neighbors bring in unexpected cases for True Blue Investigations to unravel. While helping Miss Louanne look for her missing cat, Campbell learns of other suspicious activities in Murray. Another neighbor tells the detectives about a stranger in town who’s peddling an investment plan. They aren’t sure any crimes have been committed, but they’re intrigued enough for Campbell to visit a psychic along with police detective Keith Fuller’s mom and to start checking up on the financier. Things heat up when a customer threatens the psychic and then she vanishes. (Mystery from Scrivenings Press)

The Souls of Lost Lake by Jaime Jo Wright — To save the innocent, they must face an insidious evil. Wren Blythe has long enjoyed living in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, helping her father with ministry at a youth camp. But when a little girl in the area goes missing, an all-out search ensues, reviving the decades-old campfire story of Ava Coons, the murderess who is believed to still roam the forest. Joining the search, Wren stumbles upon the Coonses’ cabin ruins and a sinister mystery she is determined to unearth. In 1930, Ava Coons has spent the last several years carrying the mantle of mystery since the day she emerged from the woods as a thirteen-year-old girl, spattered with blood, dragging a logger’s ax. She has accepted she will never remember what happened to her family, whose bodies were never found, and that the people of Tempter’s Creek will always blame her for their violent deaths. And after a member of the town is murdered, and another goes missing, rumors spread that Ava’s secret is perhaps more malicious than previously imagined. (Mystery from Bethany House (Baker) Publishing)

Speculative Fiction/Fantasy:

The Girl With Stars in Her Eyes by Dawn Ford — Eighteen-year-old servant girl Tambrynn is haunted by more than her unusual silver hair and the star-shaped pupils in her eyes. Her uncontrollable ability to call objects leads the wolves who savagely murdered her mother right to her door. When she’s fired and outcast during a snowstorm, her carriage wrecks and she’s forced to find refuge in an abandoned cottage. There, her life is upended when the magpie who’s stalked her for ten years transforms into a man, Lucas. He’s her Watcher and they’re from a different kingdom. His job is to keep her safe from her father, an evil mage, who wants to steal her abilities, turn her into one of his undead beasts, and become immortal himself. Can they make it to the magical passageway and get to their home kingdom in time for Tambrynn to thwart her father’s malicious plans? Or will Tambrynn’s unique magic doom them all? (Speculative Fiction/Fantasy from Scrivenings Press)

Thriller/Suspense/Romance:

Inheritance of Secrets by Robin Patchen — “I didn’t do right by your mother. Or by you. Find her and do what I never had the courage to do.” Spoken between wheezing breaths, the deathbed words of Aspen Kincaid’s father shook her to the core. He’d led her to believe that the mystery of her mother’s disappearance was unsolvable. Apparently, her father had known more than he’d ever let on. He’s been lying to her all her life. When Aspen inherits a house in New Hampshire—a house she hadn’t known Dad owned—she travels thousands of miles, desperate to do as her father asked—find her mother. But some of the residents of Coventry seem less than thrilled to learn Jane Kincaid’s daughter is back and digging into things that should remain buried forever. Garrett’s renovations of the secluded old house on the mountain should be the next step in his contracting career, but Aspen’s arrival in town stirs up old animosities he hadn’t known existed. All he wants is to complete the job, hoping it’ll open up new opportunities. But some people expect Garrett’s help to keep an eye on Aspen’s activities. How can he honor his beautiful, vulnerable client and remain loyal to the people who need his help? (Thriller/Suspense/Romance, independently published)

Plus check out these recent additions to Fiction Finder published within the past month:

 

  By the Sweet Gum by Ane Mulligan, She’s bound by duty. He’s tethered to a dream. (Historical Romance)

 

 

  The Do-Over by Bethany Turner, Sometimes dreams come true. Other times, the best outcome begins with an epic fail. (Contemporary Romance)

 

 

  Pilgrim by Brian Shotton, A door dividing life from death draws Scott into a deadly trap. Can he save his friends before fate forces him through? (Thriller/Suspense Supernatural)

 

 

  Love’s Escape by Carrie Fancett Pagels, The son of a funeral home owner and his friend, a sea captain, transport the women they love, two enslaved women from Virginia plantations, North. (Historical Romance)

 

 

  Home Run Hunter by Cindy M. Amos, Full of positive enthusiasm, Lena Hart works for the promo team at the ballpark and encourages trouble-shooting intern Gage Landers to find contentment in the day, not chase some far-off dream. (Contemporary Romance)

 

 

  Wounded Soul by Sheridan Lee, Life often derails well-laid plans. Can she achieve her dreams after everything crumbles? (General Contemporary)

 

Love Song by Linda Maran

Sandra Mason’s decision to move forward despite misgivings, leads to the unveiling of the alluring man beneath the glittery facade that the music industry has created for its fans and profits. She learns that this label isn’t one that the former folksy singer, turned pop star, identifies with. Gregory Pratt’s humble nature clashes with the pedestal his public has placed him on.

The special clandestine times, where love sparked and similar values ushered forth, tempts Sandra Mason to give her heart fully. But her wariness of entering a world that once deceived and hurt her as the fiancé of a top fashion designer, gives her pause. And this is a whole other level of fame with various dangers lurking at every turn.

Gregory Pratt has met the down-to-earth sweet woman he’d prayed for. But will Sandra be able to withstand bodyguards, chasing fans, a paternity suit, threats, the paparazzi, and a manager who is displeased with Gregory’s missed rehearsals to make time for her?

Love Song, is a story of tender romance, suspense, challenges, and trust in God’s plan, amidst a world of fame, competition and superficial adulation.

Linda Maran is the author of The Stranger, an Amish romance novel by White Rose Publishing, Anita da Napoli, her mother’s memoir, and the self-help book, Confronting the Bully of OCD, plus numerous articles. A drummer herself, Maran has been among musicians for most of her life. Her warm and positive message is what draws her readers.

For more information about Linda Maran and her books, visit her at:

LoveSongBlog                                   LindaMaranBlog                           Twitter: @LIM52

Looking at You, 52

Each year I share my thoughts as I celebrate another birthday. This year, 52. I don’t even remember much of 51. Turning 50 was anticlimactic because I really wanted to enter the decade with a bang. Instead, the country shut down and it was so new no one was doing the drive-by celebrations.

So, what’s 52 to me?

This year my God-given theme is reclaim. I get that 52 is a non-year celebration wise, but given last year was so rough and I never got to enjoy 50 with anyone outside my house, I’m re-claiming 50. I often talk myself out of doing things, but not this year. I reserved an event with two friends I serve closely with who have had my back in the last year.

I’m also having red velvet cake. Let me elaborate. I will be making and eating my mom’s famous red velvet cake. This cake is so good I refuse to eat anyone else’s. I’ve tried before, and I’m always disappointed. Her version was so beloved she sent it to her nephew in Afghanistan. Although my presentation isn’t as good as hers, I have mastered the taste. This seems like the year to enjoy a piece. Or 3.

Other than that, 52 holds hope. For my family, this is the year our youngest graduates high school and starts college. After all she’s been through with her health, what a cause for celebration. Our son gets married. I prayed for his wife before I could even conceive. It’s such a praise to see God’s faithfulness. Tom and I will take a trip back to Lake Placid as a delayed 25th anniversary trip.

For my writing, I’m so excited. I feel like previous works were my training ground and this new series, Surrendering Hearts, is the real deal. The idea came from watching This is Us and wondering how did the showrunner and writers keep track of all the details, and, my sister asking me about writing a story involving unique birth stories. The Hart sextuplets each get their own book with a surrender story. They are trying to find their identity apart from their siblings and discover a love as great as what their parents shared.

Jordyn is up first with Anchored Hearts. She wrecks me. As the oldest sextuplet, she’s taken on a leadership role within the family. Now that they are grown, it’s time to give that up, and she’s scared. Control is important to her but as life spirals, Jordyn’s faced with letting go. Her journey is one I relate to way more than I thought.

I have a prequel story featuring patriarch Paul Hart and his neighbor, Shelly Hoffman called Unwrapping Hearts. There’s also a sneak peek of Anchored Hearts. Both are free downloads

Birthdays are also a time where I reflect on what’s going well, and what needs improvement. Compared to last year, everything is improving. My focus is back so I’ve returned to working out. I rarely drink pop now, and that’s HUGE. I’ve cut down on my chocolate consumption. These are huge victories for me. The frustration is I don’t see a lot of change on the scale, but at 52, there’s a lot of grace. I realize what challenges I have, and I try not to take advantage of them and invite gluttony into my schedule. It’s hard. I often struggle with what I see in the mirror. Yet, my passion is to make sure the girls I mentor understand how beautiful they are. Well, that truth needs to cover me.

I don’t see me starting anything new at 52, but that’s God’s deal to work out. I’m not thinking about trying a new craft or project beyond releasing Anchored Hearts, researching Repairing Hearts, and starting that book. I do have a goal not to travel much beyond Lake Placid. Last year I was on the road most of the year. It took a lot out of me and I’m still recovering from that. I love being home.

I sense there’s a lot I will see this year that will be things I prayed about in the past. Some of it will be easy, and some not, but my job will to encourage. Honestly, that won’t be as easy as it sounds. So far everything I’ve prayed about and shared with loved ones has come to pass, and they weren’t on the same page. I see that happening on a huge scale, and there will be masses, I believe, who will need encouragement even though they rejected prayers and encouragement in the past. Ah, 52 will give me maturity, right?

So that’s where I’m at. Gray hair. Huge bags under my eyes. Menopause alive and well. Recovering. Reclaiming. Writing. Celebrating. Learning. Praying. I’m ready for you, 52!

Finding Hope through Love’s Lost Star

Finding Hope through Love’s Lost Star by guest blogger Caitlin M. Smith

The past can be a pesky fly, relentlessly buzzing in our ears. It tries to define us, claiming that we can never escape the people we once were. We can’t start fresh, and we can never be free from mistakes we’ve made.

This is what Cecelia Burbin [Cece] experiences in my debut romantic suspense novel, Love’s Lost Star. Cece’s life was one of abuse, pain, and crime until the day that everything changed. In this inspirational story, Cece’s past comes back to haunt her, interrupting the joy of her new life. The timing of this interruption couldn’t be worse: the night before her wedding.

Check out the book blurb below:

Cece Burbin thought she knew what love was—people using you to get what they wanted. Until she met Jason Porter. But on what should have been the happiest day of their lives, Cece wakes up on a riverbank cold, alone, and in pain. After realizing she lost her voice, Cece becomes desperate to find a way to communicate with someone that she needs help. Freeing herself, she sets off in search of the only man she has truly loved. But as she struggles to find her way back home, her past quickly begins to creep back. The gang she thought she had left behind was never that far away, and the crimes she has committed are coming back to haunt her. Can God truly love and forgive her for all she has done?

Jason is just as frantic to find his missing bride. But when he receives a note saying she left him for another man, his world is shattered. How had he missed her change of heart? Jason struggles to trust God in this heartbreak, battling uncertainty about the future he thought he had. But when he meets a strange woman who claims to be a private investigator, he discovers a clue that could change everything. Unaware that time is running out, the abandoned bridegroom sets off in search of love’s lost star.

Love’s Lost Star is a story of shame, forgiveness, and God’s unconditional love. It is one of fresh starts and new beginnings. If you’re looking for hope, or are feeling like you’ll never break free from your past, I encourage you to pick up Love’s Lost Star. A fresh start is possible, and it can begin today.

Caitlin M. Smith graduated from Lock Haven University with a degree in Secondary Education—English. After working in schools, she took her passion for teaching to the fitness world, then to the dental industry, where she spent time training and mentoring new business team members. In 2017, she left her job as a Practice Manager of Operations to pursue her career as an author.

When it comes to genre, Caitlin’s writing includes inspirational romantic suspense, allegorical fantasy, and non-fiction self-help. She enjoys equipping others for success and seeks to honor God in all she does. Through her books, Caitlin aims to inspire hope, provoke thought, and demonstrate the power of God’s unconditional love. When not rendezvousing with her fictional characters, you may find her spending time with her husband, exercising, or relaxing with an ice-cold glass of diluted orange juice.

Newsletter: Caitlin M. Smith Newsletter Sign-Up

Website: Caitlin M. Smith – Inspirational Author & Speaker (caitlinmsmith.com)

Facebook: Caitlin M. Smith – Author | Facebook

Twitter: Caitlin Smith on Twitter

Instagram: @caitlin_m_smith 

Goodreads: Author of Love’s Lost Star (goodreads.com)

Amazon Author Page: Caitlin M. Smith: Books, Biography, Kindle

Claiming Annie’s Heart by Judythe Morgan

CLAIMING ANNIE’S HEART

What was the spark for the story idea?

Two things gave me the story idea. One, both my grandmothers trace their roots to Ireland. They didn’t talk much about Ireland. Two, I went there, and the magic of the Emerald Isle captured my heart.

Traveling around the isle and talking to the Irish, I quickly learned about the history of what we call Ireland and learned it is two countries.

The Cliff Notes version for those who aren’t familiar: the island started as a single entity. After bitter fighting and political maneuvering with the United Kingdom, the island was partitioned in 1921 into Northern Ireland, which is still a part of the UK, and the Irish Free State or Ireland.

Many Irishmen were unhappy. Some still are. They wanted a united Ireland and full independence. Violence erupted again in the 1960s and continued through the 90s.

The ceasefire of 1994 and the Good Friday Agreement of 1998, along with the rebranding of the Orangemen parades in Belfast and Northern Ireland counties, has helped to reduce flare-ups.

I made one trip to Ireland during the Orangemen parades and saw how memories of The Troubles are still fresh for those personally affected. I decided to use that connection in Annie’s story.

On another trip, I visited an Irish girls’ boarding school where I experienced one of those rare writer moments—a character sprang fully formed into my head, commanding me to tell her story. That character was Annie Foster, the heroine of Claiming Annie’s Heart.

The published bookblends what Annie wanted, and the suspense element centered around The Troublesthat I wanted. I hope readers enjoy Claiming Annie’s Heart as much as I did when creating a story that started with ancestral roots and a love of the country from many trips there.

BLURB:

An Irish Love Story

Annie Foster stays in Ireland after boarding school to nanny a widower’s infant daughter. Five years later, the widower proposes.

Weeks before the wedding, Chad Jones, her first love, arrives in Belfast on an undercover assignment probing her fiancé’s connection with IRA terrorists. Chad’s determined to change Annie’s mind because he’s never stopped loving her.

But Annie still believes he deserted her. She’s moved on without him. Can he reclaim her heart before it’s too late?

BUY LINKS;

KINDLE AMAZON (US): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00O6BOEPQ/

KINDLE AMAZON (UK): http://www.amazon.co.uk/Claiming-Annies-Heart-judythe-morgan-ebook/dp/B00O6BOEPQ/

PAPERBACK AMAZON (US): https://www.ama zon.com/Claiming-Annies-Heart-judythe-morgan/dp/098940367X/

AUTHOR BIO:

An Army brat then an Army wife, Judythe Morgan has seen a lot of this big world. Her crazy life as a mother to three, schoolteacher, an antique dealer, former mayor’s wife, and sometimes church pianist have given her plenty of story material.

Add an Old English sheepdog named Finnegan MacCool and the possibilities are endless.

You’ll find her characters are vivid. Her settings authentic. Her stories award-winning. Besides fiction, she writes a weekly blog at www.judythewriter.com

Sign up for her free newsletter at https://judythemorgan.com/  to keep up with her latest release news.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

Website https://judythemorgan.com/  

Blog https://judythewriter.com/

Twitter https://twitter.com/Judythe2   

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/JudytheMorgan/

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6450879.Judythe_Morgan

BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/profile/judythe-morgan

Gold Rush Bride Tegan by Linda Shenton Matchett

The Story behind the Story Gold Rush Bride Tegan

By Linda Shenton Matchett

More than likely, you’ve heard of the California gold rush that began in 1848. Word spread around the world, and by the following year tens of thousands of people from around the world arrived to seek their fortune. But did you know there were two significant rushes prior to this? The first occurred in North Carolina in 1799 after a young man found a seventeen pound nugget near a creek. The second, that lasted longer and produced more gold occurred in northern Georgia thirty years later. Geological experts agree that the gold found in Georgia is from the same vein as the one in North Carolina. Two rushes that occurred after the California event are the 1859 Pike’s Peak rush and the 1899 Nome rush. 

Gold Rush Bride Tegan (Book three in the Gold Rush Bride series) takes place during the Nome rush. My research turned up several intriguing tidbits. First of all, there were quite a few women who traveled to Nome to take part in the rush, many of whom came alone. Others accompanied husbands, brothers, or fathers. Prospectors would either take a steamship from San Francisco or Seattle, a journey of a couple of weeks. Secondly, gold was so plentiful on the beaches, that very little effort was needed to find nuggets and flakes. Because the coastline was considered public domain, miners were not required to file a claim. Land along the creeks and rivers had to be purchased and registered. Tent cities were set up, and folks stayed until the onset of winter when authorities made them leave.

Even more interesting was the information I discovered about North Dakota politician Alexander McKenzie. McKenzie began his career as a sheriff of Burleigh County, being elected five times. As time passed, he became very influential in the state, and it seems that power went to his head because he became corrupt. He was known to have stolen votes, intimidated voters, and resorting to physical violence with his opponents. After hearing about the gold strikes, he hand-picked individuals for the positions of federal judge, federal district attorney, and other important positions for the town of Nome. One of his appointees was Arthur Noyes who took allowed claim jumpers to take mines from their rightful owners, then illegally appointed McKenzie as the receiver to operate the mines while the owners appealed (having to go all the way to San Francisco to do so!) He was finally arrested and found guilty. Sentenced to one year in jail, he only served three months, then later pardoned by President McKinley.  

The information about McKenzie captivated me so much, I included a fictionalized version in Gold Rush Bride Tegan. A tiny hamlet populated by various Eskimo groups until the 1898, Nome became a boomtown inhabited by more than twenty thousand people at its peak. At the end of the rush, in 1910, the population had plummeted to 2,600.

Would you leave all you know to pan for gold?

Gold Rush Bride Tegan:

She’s out to prove herself. He’s only looking for adventure. Neither one realizes they’ll find more than gold “in them thar hills.”

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?

Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B09R3VNY95

Bio:

Linda Shenton Matchett writes about ordinary people who did extraordinary things in days gone by. A volunteer docent and archivist for the Wright Museum of WWII, Linda is a former trustee for her local public library. She is a native of Baltimore, Maryland and was born a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry. Linda has lived in historic places all her life, and is now located in central New Hampshire where her favorite activities include exploring historic sites and immersing herself in the imaginary worlds created by other authors. 

Social Media Links:

Website/blog: http://www.LindaShentonMatchett.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LindaShentonMatchettAuthor

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Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Linda-Shenton-Matchett/e/B01DNB54S0

Goodreads Author Page: http://www.goodreads.com/linda-shenton-matchett

BookBub Author Page: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/linda-shenton-matchett

Moments in History YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4b-o_6cD8HkHNyFP-wZwJg

Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/LindaShentonMatchett