Julie Arduini's Blog, page 4
February 24, 2025
Changing Tides by Sue A. Fairchild
Changing Tides by Sue A. Fairchild
As I come up on the one-year anniversary of the release of my first traditionally published book Changing Tides, I remember how the story all came about.
First, as my hubby and I walked one morning during our vacation in the Outer Banks, we noticed local people—kids got on school buses, and people opened their businesses for the day. I had never thought much about the people who live in vacation spots—how they work and relate just as I do in my normal setting. I guess when you’re on vacation, you just think everyone is on vacation! Soon, my mind started to wonder what it would be like to live at the beach. Would the allure of the fun stuff like soaking up the sun on the beach, strolling along the sand with your loved one, and visiting new and exciting spots fade over time? Or would those moments be little bits of refuge from the drudgery of everyday life?
Second, the main plot from Changing Tides stemmed from conversations my husband and I often have about who will die first. I know, I know … morbid. But we’ve talked about how I will die first because my family has a history of dying young (late seventies) while his ancestors tend to live well past their eighties. My husband has always asserted that if I did, indeed, die first he’d become a hermit and live out his life alone—go to work, eat, sleep, repeat. I doubt he would, however (he has all that living family!), but the thought of his assertion combined with this idea of living at the beach soon combined.
My two main characters quickly became me and my husband. Ellie dies at a very young age in her fifties and her husband Gabe is forced to decide how he will live out the rest of his life. I’ve always wanted to live at or near the beach so that became Ellie’s dream too. It becomes Gabe’s goal after she dies as he wrestles with his grief, wondering if he had been a good enough husband for her.
I also wanted to dig into the way grief affects people differently—not just my main character. We have several widows/widowers in our church, my father included, and I’ve noticed the differences in how they each cope. As I wrote, I noticed my other characters were also grieving and how a community emerged, like often happens in real life as friends, church family, and others surround a person during loss.
When I think about losing my husband—God forbid—I think I wouldn’t likely recover easily. He and I are so entwined that it would be hard to find a new way forward. But I pray I would have a community surround me like Gabe finds despite his best efforts to live that hermit lifestyle.
As we come to the one-year book anniversary for Changing Tides (it was released on my 50th birthday, March 13, 2024) I pray my imagined story helps others to work through their grief or to encourage them to find a community that might help them in some way too.
Back Cover Blurb:
The tide will come in no matter what you do. Eventually it’ll swallow you up if you don’t move with it.
Gabriel Pechman has finally fulfilled his wife’s greatest dream—he’s quit his finance job and moved to the Outer Banks to live out a life of peace and joy in the sun. Too bad his wife never lived to see it happen.
After Ellie’s untimely death at the age of fifty-two, Gabe seeks to fulfill her wishes. Doing so does not erase his grief, however, but sometimes increases his loneliness as he struggles to create a new life without his beloved wife. The more he tries to fight the overwhelming grief he feels, the more it seems to haunt him. He soon discovers grief has no set end date and no set location—it follows you everywhere you go.
Living in paradise also doesn’t protect Gabe from fresh sorrow. When a new friend suffers a fatal heart attack and Gabe has the urge to run away from his pain, can he overcome the constantly changing tides of grief to be the friend the new widow needs or will he succumb to the waves?
Sue A. Fairchild is an editor, writer, and speaker. In 2024, Sue traditionally published two Christian Contemporary novels, one of which, Changing Tides, won honorable mention in the AWSA Golden Scrolls awards. When she is not writing her own books for God’s kingdom, Sue loves working with clients who are working toward the greater good of sharing God’s message in this world. Learn more about Sue on her website sueafairchild.wordpress.com
or on Instagram
@suefairchildedits
or email her to talk about working together sueafairchild74@gmail.com.
February 22, 2025
To Be Honest…
To Be Honest…blogging as we knew it back in 2007 isn’t the same. That’s approximately how old this site is, minus server changes.
I have about 3k posts through those years.
When I started blogging, my pre-schooler was overcoming many health issues and challenging us as she became verbal.
She’s 21 and a college student.
My son is 26 and is a teacher at the school he started at the day after we moved to Ohio.
Crazy.
In those years lots of trends have come and go, and more have stayed. Social media isn’t going anywhere. Facebook might not be the giant it used to be, but Tik Tok? It was vocabulary used throughout the election and beyond. We have podcasts for everything possible. If my dad were alive he’d say a stream is where you throw rocks. Ask my kids and it’s how they binge shows.
I could go on and on.
As the years go, my life has changed. The kids are grown. Blogging went to the back burner as I transitioned to author. I recently celebrated my 10th year and 10th book. Even that endeavor has a short-team backseat as I fulfill a role in ministry.
That’s where we land today.
It’s been a minute since I’ve personally posted here. The space has been held really well by author friends I’ve invited to share their latest releases. It’s time to officially make this blog about that.
This space will feature guest authors from here until further notice. Maybe blogging will come back and I’ll return to post. However, my writing life has a new address.
You can find my writing, like the old blogging days, on Substack. I recently rebranded it, and it is TBH—To Be Honest. It is a free, weekly newsletter where I bring truth-telling back to a fake world. Whatever God gives me to share, I’ll write it. Last week, it was about Vitamins, Blake Lively, and Keyboard Christians.
Honestly? It feels so good to be back on a platform like that.
If you love fiction, don’t stop visiting here. I am blessed to cross internet paths with many talented authors who need to reach readers. Buy our books. Write kind reviews. Tell others about our work. I plan to share my own “guest” posts when I have a review to share or to promote my own release.
If you love as my teen friend shared, “Yapping” from a girlfriend who loves chocolate and surrender issues, you must join me at TBH. I will not stop being Kingdom-minded, although maybe some of my topics might seem superficial. Still, my posts are a safe place to stay.
Thank you for everything you’ve done for me then, now, and in the years to come.
I still have my monthly newsletter with giveaways, reader news, and my updates. I’m still across social media and love to connect. Find it all at Link Tree.
Subscribe for free to my Substack.
February 10, 2025
Meet Me in the Yorkshire Dales by Valerie Massey Goree
Valerie Massey Goree: Meet Me in the Yorkshire Dales
Location, Location, Location
Do you like to read stories set in countries other than the USA? I do. If the author uses real locations, I love to scout out the places online to see where the street is, or the building, or the river, etc. If the place is fictional but the author provides a map, well then, I’ll refer back to it throughout the story. (I love maps—have done since I studied Geography in high school.)
Book 1 of my series: From England with Love and…Treachery, is Meet Me Where the Windrush Flows. It is set in the village of Bourton-on-the-Water in the Cotswolds area of England. I visited the Village and stayed for ten days in the cottage featured in the book.
One reader said I described the location too much. Hmm. I only used what I thought related to the story and the characters and spread it throughout the story.
Here comes Book 2: Meet Me In the Yorkshire Dales. Yes, I spent two weeks in the villages featured in the story. The locations described play a vital role in the plot. That part of England is absolutely beautiful. Miles and miles of soft rolling green hills, crisscrossed by stone walls and dotted with white sheep. Many of the cottages were built in the 17th century. Most have been updated inside, but if they are Grade 2 listed, meaning they are of historical significance, the outside cannot be altered without written permission from the local planning authority.
Book 3 in the series will be set in the City of Bath, another place I visited. Each title begins with—Meet me…
My main characters are Americans who happen to meet in England in the location mentioned in the title. If you haven’t visited the Cotswolds, or Yorkshire, or the City of Bath, then I hope the amount of description I’ve included will help you visualize the world my characters live in for the duration of the story. Or maybe they’ll return for their honeymoon.
Purchase link:
Valerie Goree Bio
American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis Award winner Valerie Massey Goree resides in the beautiful Texas Hill Country, northwest of San Antonio, Texas.
Her writing journey only began when her children were in high school. Attending workshops, and ACFW conferences helped propel her toward publication. She has ten romantic suspense novels published.
She was born in South Africa and grew up in Rhodesia—now Zimbabwe. Valerie met her husband, Glenn, at a Christian university in the USA. After they married, they served as missionaries in Rhodesia. When the family returned to Texas, Valerie began her teaching career. She served 25 years in the public school arena, focusing on children with special needs.
Valerie and her family traveled extensively throughout North America, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK. Now retired and widowed, she spends her time writing, reading, traveling, and spoiling her grandchildren.
Valerie loves to hear from her readers.
Website:
Newsletter signup:
https://bit.ly/VGJoinMyCommunity
Amazon Author Page:
February 3, 2025
Fiction Finder February 2025 New Releases
Small Town Harmony by Milla Holt — Faith, fame, and family collide as a Christian music power couple hides a secret discord. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)
Only You Can Love Me by Carolyn Miller — Dr. Jess Martin–Doc Martin to her local community–might be used to solving the veterinary problems of rural south east Washington, but she can’t solve the problems of her lonely heart. Cooper Reilly never pictured himself as finding his future or contentment on a ranch. But when a corporate reshuffle sees him kicked to the curb, he finds himself right back where he started. And right back to trying to convince a certain pretty vet to give him a second chance. But she’s not playing, convinced she’s found her Dream Match already. Can these two friends look past previous mistakes and find a future? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)
An Overdue Match by Sarah Monzon — If the covers of every romance book ever published didn’t convince librarian Evangeline Kelly that she isn’t heroine material, her fiancé calling off their wedding when she lost her hair to alopecia did. But what’s a girl head over heels for love to do when her feelings are unrequited? Matchmake, that’s what. Armed with library patrons’ check-out histories, she’s determined to make at least one love connection–even if it’s not her own. (Contemporary Romance from Bethany House Publishers)
Winning the Twin’s Heart by Rebecca Reed — College rodeo roper Yoani Alliegro can’t stop looking over her shoulder despite, or maybe because of, her recent success. She longs for family––the one she lost, and the one she hopes to have. When rejection shatters Yoani’s sense of belonging and sends her running in search of truth, will it lead to the family she’s dreamed of and freedom from her past, or will she discover she’s left all that in Montana? Bull rider Chantz Nannenga is caught between following his dream of teaching and upholding tradition by managing the family ranch. Should he settle for less than his dream or push forward when conquering his regrets could prevent him from winning Yoani’s heart? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)
Where I Found You by Betsy St Amant — Will the treasure hunt lead them to find a prize worth more than gold, or will the longstanding family feud continue for yet another generation? (Contemporary Romance from Sunrise Publishing)
The Nature of Love by Toni Shiloh — Dr. Erykah Kennedy, a renowned orthopedic surgeon, finds herself at a crossroads in life. At forty, she’s achieved remarkable success in her career, yet when it comes to her love life, she is feeling fractured. But when she meets Christian Gamble, a passionate wildlife conservationist, an unexpected bond forms between them despite their contrasting worlds. Despite his passion for saving the planet, Chris has yet to find someone to share his adventures with. But as his friendship with Erykah begins to blossom, he finds himself falling for her in every way. When tragedy strikes and Erykah suddenly becomes guardian to her nieces, Chris helps her pick up the pieces. With their lives turned upside down, finding their way to a lasting love while putting their faith in God may be the biggest challenge they’ve ever faced. (Contemporary Romance from Bethany House [Baker Publishing Group])
Uneasy Street by Becky Wade — A wealthy, cynical CEO who has everything except love. An etiquette expert set on helping her niece solve the mystery of her birth. Equally matched in a battle of wills with their hearts on the line, they’ll have no choice but to confront their history – and the undeniable spark between them – while living side by side on uneasy street. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)
Pets Amore by Amy R Anguish, and Linda Fulkerson, and Heather Greery and Beth E Westcott — Four romantic comedy novellas with a bit of matchmaking help from the pets. (Contemporary Romance Novella from Scrivenings Press)Contemporary Women’s Fiction:
The Promise by Pat Nicols — For Erica, Wendy, And Amanda, there are old wounds, and new challenges. Will they have the courage to face them all? (General Contemporary from Armchair Press)Biblical Historical:
Dawn of Grace, Mary Magdalene’s Story by Jill Eileen Smith — Bound to the demons within her and incapable of freeing herself, Mary Magdalene walks in shadow–until one day she encounters a healer, a rabbi who is radically different from the religious leaders and family members who could do nothing to help her. One touch from Jesus and Mary is never the same. Now Mary’s one mission in life is to serve the one who freed her. She is determined never to leave his side, fearing that if she loses him, she’ll return to her former bondage. Even when the unthinkable happens and her savior is arrested and sentenced to execution, she cannot abandon him as so many others did. On the brink of despair, Mary is about to discover that while the life of faith is never perfect, perfect love casts out fear–and Jesus makes all things new. (Biblical from Revell)Historical Romance:
Heart of Beauty by Danielle Grandinetti — Discover the origin of Crooked Tooth Ranch in this 1870s western retelling of Beauty and the Beast. (Historical Romance from Hearth Spot Press)
Tides of Healing by Sandra Merville Hart — A Southern belle fights to reclaim her home, but will her spying destroy the Union officer she never meant to love? (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)
Mail-Order Hotelier by Edwina Kiernan — California, 1860. A disillusioned woman must gain a mail-order husband or lose her beloved hotel. (Historical Romance from Moliant Publishing)
Snow and the Seven Brothers’ Circus by Megan Miles — Upon her twenty-first birthday, Catherine Penner is set to inherit her late parents’ vast estate and thriving coal mines, if she can make it to her birthday. An undiagnosed wasting disease threatens to steal her life, leaving her parents’ legacy in the hands of her cold guardian. As Catherine wrestles with the hopeless meaning of her short life and her fragile health, it becomes clear that something sinister is playing with her future. Will she find enough hope to push through to a promising future? Or will her life fade away like her beautiful memories? (Historical Romance, Independently Published)
Redeeming Rupert by Susan Pope Sloan — Hannah and Rupert must navigate the challenges of a marriage of convenience and learn to fight for each other as they protect their family legacies. (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)
Midnight on the Scottish Shore by Sarah Sundin — Desperate to escape the occupied Netherlands in 1941, Cilla van der Zee agrees to become a spy in Britain. But her plans to betray the Germans and work for the Allied cause are derailed when a suspicious Royal Navy officer finds her on the shores of his Scottish home. (Historical Romance from Revell)
The Bandit’s Redemption by KyLee Woodley — A holdup gone wrong, a reluctant outlaw, and the captive she’s sworn to guard. (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)
Chilled to the Bone: A Jake Sledge Mystery by BD Lawrence — A prominent attorney is found murdered outside his River City office. Jake Sledge and his partner, Bobo Johnson, are drawn into a case that quickly spirals out of control. They uncover chilling connections to frozen evidence, shadowy underworld figures, notorious neo-Nazis, and a dangerous game involving the high-stakes casino industry. The lawyer’s death is only the beginning. (Crime Mystery, Independently Published)Western Romance:
Whispers of Fortune by Mary Connealy — In 1875 California, Brody MacKenzie arrives at Two Hearts Ranch on a mission to find his runaway brothers, worried they may have fallen into harm. Instead, he finds them thriving at the ranch’s school and orphanage under the care of Ellie Hart, a woman with a heart as resilient as the land she calls home. When the boys show him a mysterious journal that has been guiding their travels and may hold the key to a lost treasure, Brody and Ellie are captivated by the possibility of a thrilling adventure. With winter approaching, Brody and Ellie race against time to decipher cryptic clues and unearth the hidden fortune. (Western Romance from Bethany House [Baker Publishing Group])Speculative Fiction/Allegory:
Whispers and Flame by Demi Griffin —
A new generation haunted by their parents’ legacy must find a way to save their world. A new generation was poised for leadership in Everlasting. Secrets kept by their parents hindered what should have been a seamless transition. When Everlasting faces destruction through a massive flood, the newly chosen Sentinels must decide how to respond. Would they transition into their destined roles or adapt to present circumstances? When the king of the water domain becomes a threat of epic proportions would the next generation be equipped to defend the foundations of Everlasting? (Speculative Fiction, Independently Published)
Plus check out these recent additions to Fiction Finder published within the past month:
A Hundred Magical Reasons by Laura DeNooyer — This split-time novel (early 1900s and 1980) is a whimsical and poignant story rooted in a girl’s childhood friendship with The Wizard of Oz Author, L. Frank Baum, and his influence across four generations. (Literary Historical)
For No Apparent Reason by SK Derban — A calloused murder, a chance discovery – two unplanned events become the catalyst that proves: “in all things, God works for good…” (Legal Mystery)
Bronze and Brokenness-Midianites by Christine Dillon — Reuel rejected all the gods, and Jael followed his lead. But is what she has all she’ll ever have? Why does her sister, Zura, find such hope in the God of Israel, even though she remains blind? All are broken, but can they, like bronze, be recast? (Biblical Historical)
The Seed’s Price by Erin Greneaux — A special seed might help Everly find her lost cat, but is she willing to pay the price? (Children’s/Middle-grade)
Uncovering the Truth by Carol J Post — When Alyssa Anderson stumbles upon her ex-boyfriend’s illegal art theft operation, she goes on the run—and narrowly escapes a drive-by shooting. With the help of her high school sweetheart, Spencer Cavanaugh, and his service dog, Apollo, Alyssa tries to stay one step ahead of her ex who will do anything to find her. (Romantic Suspense)
Mara: The Unseen Battle by Blossom Turner — Mara holds a secret she must bury…if she wants to survive. A story of faith and the power of the unseen.. (Supernatural Suspense)
January 14, 2025
Chasing Snowflakes by Lori Soard
Small-town charm and rediscovered dreams are always in season in Dogwood Creek, Tennessee
Lydia Clark thought she left Dogwood Creek behind, including memories of her high school bully and a careless jock who almost ruined her chances at a bright future. But now, the grandmother who loved her through those rough years is having some health issues that force Lydia to return. Taking over for the chemistry teacher temporarily, Lydia plans to help for a semester and not get caught up in the close-knit community of her youth or the handsome math teacher/basketball coach.
Charlie Bailey is town star, turned into high school math teacher and local basketball coach. His charm is almost irresistible, but his sledding skills leave much to be desired, and he crashes into her at a local competition. Lydia soon discovers Charlie’s dedication to shaping young lives, especially those from rough backgrounds he understands all too well. He’s always admired Lydia’s brains and spirit, but seeing her now—gorgeous and still kindhearted—makes him realize how much he’s always cared for her.
The two pair up to organize a basketball tournament fundraiser for the Dogwood Creek Community Center. Lydia begins to see the depth of Charlie’s commitment to the community—and his growing devotion to her. Lydia stares down two paths, trying to choose the one God has planned for her. Can she leave behind her childhood dreams to embrace the life that might be waiting for her in Dogwood Creek?
Chasing Snowflakes is the heartwarming first book in the Dogwood Creek Series—a sweet, small-town inspirational romance filled with unwavering faith and the hopefulness of second chances.
***
I’m so excited to announce this release! Lori Soard and I have participated in different online author events, and I am a big fan of her work. Chasing Snowflakes is the first release in the multi-author series Dogwood Creek Matchmakers.
Leah Atwood, Robin Bayne, Joann Durgin, Dawn Kinzer, Lori, and I will release a new title in the series every other month through 2026. You can look at my offering, Clean Sweep, on November 1. What’s fun is that the characters you meet in Chasing Snowflakes will factor in Clean Sweep as my hero also works at the school and is the football coach.
Chasing Snowflakes is my favorite kind of small-town romance. Characters to root for and issues we can relate with. Lydia and Charlie go way back, back to when they were in high school. They shared an incident that neither has forgotten, and now they are reunited at the school with a special project, full disclosure, a disruption in the form of a mean girl, and of course, the Dogwood Creek matchmakers praying and lending a hand. If you love a clean and wholesome romance about returning home and second chances, I highly recommend you read Chasing Snowflakes.
January 13, 2025
Reunion Crossing by Terry Overton
The Underground Book Readers series received the Bookfest Award Gold Medal for a book series in 2024. Although the series is a middle-grade/YA book, readers of all ages have enjoyed it. This month, the seventh book in the series, Reunion Crossing, was released on January 10th.
The series begins in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. In a world without books, schools, churches, and parents, how can teens and preteens find each other and work to bring back a world like the one before? Ever watchful, this group of friends meets in an underground cavern in the mountains of Virginia. Rumors of spies and enemy soldiers and the possibility of finding their parents keep these friends searching to make a better life for everyone.
In book one, readers find a world where the four original teenage members of the group, discover each other. This group of teens has lost their parents and older siblings. The new friends bond together and form a strong family. They discover documents, clues, and tools to assist their adventures.
In books one through six, the group meets new friends, encounters new threats, takes wrong turns, finds unknown caves, towns, and villages, and receives help from a Native American tribe, the Cherokee Indians of North Carolina, to continue toward the free land.
In book seven, Leena, Kahn, Casey, and the other Underground Book Readers continue their journey to the free land. They encounter strangers in the forest, discover mysterious towns, and face new challenges for their safety. Their travels lead them across treacherous landscapes and through enemy territory, where danger hides deep in the forest and valleys. Weathering harsh conditions, encountering unexpected allies, and enduring long, perilous paths, the Underground Book Readers rely on their faith and each other to persevere. Their goal is to reach parts of the United States not yet under the control of the World Force. They long to find a place to live in peace and join their families. But as the group approaches the mysterious Reunion Crossing, one question remains: will they finally reach the free land—and what will they find waiting for them when they arrive?
Next month, a teaching guide will be released to accompany the whole series. This teaching guide will be an excellent resource for homeschooling parents and church schools who use the series. Students can access free downloadable worksheets to build vocabulary and learn about world history and Scripture. Watch for more news about these resources by following my links and signing up for my newsletter.
Book seven of The Underground Book Readers, Reunion Crossing, is sold on Amazon: https://a.co/d/atQI0J0
Stay connected: https://linktr.ee/overtont
Sign up for newsletter: overtont@mac.com with “newsletter” as the subject line.
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, seven grandchildren, and one great granddaughter.
Her previous writing and publication experiences include textbook and journal articles in the fields of special education and school psychology. She now seeks to answer God’s call to share the good news and grow the church by writing Christian books and devotionals.
Over the years, Terry’s books have won the Mom’s Choice Award, Christian Indie Award, Firebird Book Awards, American Writing Winner Awards, Bookfest Winner Awards, Pencraft Award, Reader Views Silver Reviewers Award, and International Book Award Finalist. Her writing examines real world events with a Christian worldview. She enjoys writing for young children, middle grade readers, YA fiction, and adult level novels.
Terry’s background in teaching adults and children shine through her stories that often include a character with educational or learning challenges. Her Christmas series, The Oddball Ornaments, features a box of misfit ornaments who first learn the meaning of Christmas and then discover the meaning of forgiveness. In The Underground Book Readers series, one of the main characters is on the autism spectrum yet is one of the leaders of the group of teens. Book one of a new series, The Messiah Brigade, features an awkward middle school nerd who helps his school turn around a bully gang of kids. Adoption and family issues are the focus of her new book, Charlotte McMaster and the Messenger Angel.
January 11, 2025
Remembering Laura V. Hilton
Her Amazon bio reads:
Award winning author, Laura Hilton, her husband, Steve, and their five children make their home in Arkansas. She is a pastor’s wife, a stay-at-home mom and home-schools. Laura is also a breast cancer survivor.
Her publishing credits include three books in the Amish of Seymour series from Whitaker House: Patchwork Dreams, A Harvest of Hearts (winner of the 2012 Clash of the Titles Award in two categories), and Promised to Another. The Amish of Webster County series, Healing Love (finalist for the 2013 Christian Retail Awards). Surrendered Love and Awakened Love followed by her first Christmas novel, A White Christmas in Webster County, as well as the Amish of Jamesport series, The Snow Globe, The Postcard, and The Birdhouse. Other credits include Swept Away from Abingdon Press’ Quilts of Love series. Laura is contracted for another three book Amish series set in the Jamesport area, with the first book, The Amish Firefighter, planned for April 2016.
She has indie published a Christmas novella, Christmas Mittens.
Laura is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and a professional book reviewer.
Friday I learned that Laura passed away. Although we never met in person,we were ACFW critique group moderators, and then our groups merged, the official name Scribes 202.
Scribes 202 hosts authors from various genres. I loved reading Laura’s work because I considered her tops in Amish romance. I felt I had a favorite title, and then she started a new book, and then I had to make a new proclamation.
What I love about Scribes 202 is we are more than a critique group. For years we have shared monthly prayers, praises, writing updates, and family news. Even in her bio you can see where Laura’s heart was. Her family was everything.
Our little group is in shock. We grieve for Steve and the kids.
If you love Amish romance and haven’t read Laura’s books, you will love them. If you’d like to know more about Amish romance, Laura was amazing. Take a look, and please keep her family in prayer.
January 2, 2025
Fiction Finder: January 2025 New Releases
Julie’s Note:
I am adding a new release to this list. It’s a small-town romance novella and the first book in the Dogwood Creek Matchmaker series. You can expect a new release every other month from either Lori, Dawn Kinzer, Joann Durgin, Robin Bayne, Leah Atwood or me.
January 2025 New ReleasesMore in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website
Children/Middle-grade:
Feather by Susan Page Davis — Feather is snatched by a fierce tribe and forced to work for them. Her younger brother, Karsh, vows to find her. When Feather learns the arrows she makes will be used against her own people, she and her friend Tag decide to escape and warn the peaceful tribe of the coming attack. (Children/Middle-grade, Tea Tin Press)
The Edge of Knife by Marissa Shrock — The summer of ’88 in Wildcat Springs, Indiana, was supposed to be thoroughly boring. But when Bobbi Sue Baxter’s friend enters her into a sweepstakes (without her knowledge) to make a guest appearance on daytime drama, The Cute and the Cunning, and she wins, the season starts to get complicated. Then, her friendship with Hemingway “Hemi” Miller evolves into something more, and things slide toward complex. After filming, when the star of The Cute and the Cunning gets stabbed with a hunting knife? Life gets downright insane. Bobbi Sue tries to stay out of the chaos, but with her well-proven instincts for cracking hard-to-solve crimes, that’s highly unlikely. (Cozy Mystery, Independently Published)
Before the King by Heather Kaufman — Joanna is a daughter of the Sadducees, born into privilege and taught to maintain her position at all costs—even if it means breaking her own heart. When she encounters Jesus, his message of the Kingdom compels her to embrace a new way of life. Dare Joanna risk everything for the sake of the Christ? (Historical Biblical from Bethany House [Baker Publishing Group])
General Historical:
Finding Juniper by Cindy Thomson — Leaving his pregnant girlfriend behind, Patrick Doyle sails to America, the land of opportunity. Thirty years later, Patrick has moved on with his life, building a new family. A letter arrives, suggesting the child he’d assumed died may be alive. Juniper endured a childhood in institutions, and when she’s released, she moves on without the parents who left her. Operating an apothecary out of an inherited cottage, Juniper finally finds a home when her grandmother arrives. Just as she feels comfortable and content, her father shows up at her door, bringing shocking news about her mother. (General Historical, Independently Published)
Historical Romance:
Guarding the Mountain Man’s Secret by Misty M Beller — The Coulter ranch is a place of family, second chances…and a hidden fortune. Miles is the youngest of six brothers, and he’s spent most of his life helping guard the family’s secret: a sapphire mine hidden deep within the Montana mountains. With threats from a past enemy looming, a survey team’s arrival stirs suspicion—until he meets Clara Pendleton, whose presence captivates him. Clara Pendleton joins her uncle on a survey team tasked with mapping the coming railroad’s path, only to find herself entangled with the enigmatic Coulter family. When her uncle’s accident leads them to find refuge in the Coulter home, Clara is irresistibly drawn to Miles Coulter and his quiet strength. This feels like the haven she craves…until a series of mysterious attacks endanger everyone on the ranch. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)
Emma’s Engagement by Susan G Mathis — Emma Row yearns for a fresh start and a chance to build a loving family. But as she steps into her role as the Rock Island Lightkeeper’s wife, she finds herself navigating the treacherous waters of isolation and the bitter rejection of her new stepdaughter, Ada. Michael Diepolder, the widowed lightkeeper, had hoped securing a companion would brighten his life and be a needed mother figure to his eleven-year-old daughter. Yet, as Emma struggles to adapt to the challenges of her new life, Michael realizes that the path to happiness is far more turbulent than he ever anticipated. (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)
Amish Romance:
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With All Her Heart by Kelly Irvin — Bonnie is successful in her crafts shop but fears no man will see past her disability to her strong and loving heart. Elijah dreams of leaving the family business to focus on his carvings. Can they find a new path together? (Amish Romance from HarperCollins Christian Publishing)
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His to Love by Z Peabody — Griffin T. Washington is one of only two detectives at the cody Police Department. After years of being retired from active duty, and with a fulfilling job, Griff is still alone. The loss of his wife ten years ago nearly broke Griff. While coming from a call, Griff’s life is turned upside down by a careless driver, and before he can get her insurance information, she speeds off, leaving Griff not just questioning who she is but also when he can see her again. (Romantic Novella from Z Peabody Publishing LLC)
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Forgotten Identity by Penny Zeller — Mariah Holzman never imagined a whiteout blizzard would sever all communication from the outside world—communication desperately needed for the injured man Mariah finds near her home. Nor did she imagine helping nurse the man back to health would lead to threats and intimidation. As danger escalates and questions rise, Mariah is left to wonder what kind of person she has allowed into her home. (Romantic Suspense from Maplebrook Publishing)
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Sarah’s Long Ride by Susan Page Davis — The Bandicoot 100 is coming up, and Sarah Piper and her horse Icicle are registered for the endurance race. But now that her mother has died, Sarah has no riding partner. Adjusting to a new home with Uncle Joe and far from her friends, Sarah realizes that endurance is something she needs not only for the race. (Young Adult from Tea Tin Press)
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Last Light of Everlasting by Demi Griffin — Everlasting is a world of peace and tranquility. At least it was before one of the King’s loyal servants rebelled. The ensuing battle between those who were loyal and those who rebelled required a strength even the warriors of the spirit realm did not have. Assistance came through the histories. The Ancients, flesh beings who sacrificed their own existence, became the one weapon that could defeat darkness – a luminaria. Will those who lost access to the perfect world created by the King find their way back out of the darkness? (Speculative Fiction/Allegory, Independently Published)
Plus check out these recent additions to Fiction Finder published within the past month:
3 X 3 by Patrick E Craig — One by one, Jenny uncovers secrets hidden for forty years, secrets deeply connected to the Amish community. And as she brings them to light, Jenny finds the past can reveal much about the present—in terrifying ways (Crime Suspense)
Bronze Circle by Becky A. Little — Jaydon’s story is one of hope, acceptance, redemption and forgiveness as he discovers who he is before The Truth Master. (Speculative/Young Adult)
Heart of Faith by Tracey J Lyons — Two boys are left behind from the Orphan Train. When John Oliver decides to help Amy save two orphan boys from danger, will they become the family she has been praying for in time for Amy to get her Christmas wish? (Historical Romance)
Loving the Rodeo Queen by Rebecca Reed — Quinn and Tiago have a past, but can they have a future with her secret shadowing their relationship. (Contemporary Romance)
Death Under the Ice by Deborah Jean Sprinkle — Claire needs their help, but can she put past hurts behind her as she not only tries to find her brother, but stay alive? (Romantic Suspense)
December 11, 2024
Time Will Tell by Donna Schlachter with #Giveaway
Time Will Tell – Book 2 of “Christmas Under Main Street” series – with Giveaway
By Donna Schlachter
About Time Will Tell:
Sadie Bauer inherits her father’s watch and clock repair shop in the Mall beneath Main Street, Pueblo. However, she soon learns that Fate conspires against her operating this business and keeping her father’s memory alive.
Will O’Reilly, recently dismissed for fighting, longs to help this beautiful damsel in distress, but she’s about as prickly as a porcupine. He’d like their relationship to be more than employer-employee, but if she learns of their connection through their ex-fiances, she might not want to have anything to do with him.
Can Sadie overcome her mistrust of men in general, and of a certain suave salesman in particular? Can Will get past his former betrothed’s infidelity? And can both learn to trust the God who makes all things beautiful in His time?
Continue reading to learn how you could enter a random drawing to win an ebook copy of Time Will Tell.
What is the theme or message of your book?
God makes everything difficult that we go through beautiful—in His time.
What is your favorite genre of books to read?
I absolutely love reading Christian historical romance, particularly those set in the 19th Century. I guess that makes sense since it’s also what I write. I also love reading cozy mysteries, especially anything that remotely resembles Agatha Christie-like stories.
Who are some of your favorite authors?
As I said, Agatha Christie, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Mary Davis, RL Ashly, Davalynn Spencer, and Toni Shiloh.
If you could give one piece of advice to an aspiring author, what would it be?
Never give up. If people hate your stuff and can give you specifics to work on, then do that. But don’t let the story die within in.
Some people believe that being a published author is glamorous, is that true?
If you define glamorous as having more stories than time to write, or always second-guessing whether your last book was any good at all, or blushing when a reader writes a review and you wonder if they are talking about your book because it’s wonderful, then sure, being published is glamorous.
If, however, you define it as providing a lavish lifestyle and joining the Vacation-of-the-Month club, not so much. But I wouldn’t trade it for any other job.
Excerpt from Time Will Tell:
Sadie sank onto the ancient leather chair behind her father’s workbench. Correction. Her workbench, now. She huffed, her breath raising the errant strands of hair at the center of her forehead. Her trembling hand gripped the official-looking envelope neatly addressed to her father. Not her. Although he died a month ago, still his loss created an ache in her throat.
Bitter tears burned at the back of her eyes, blurring her vision, making the words dance. All around her, reminders of him. That ratty old sweater, holes in the elbows and all the buttons long gone, hanging on the coat rack inside the door. His cold pipe in the ashtray in front of her, a faint whiff of his favorite tobacco hanging on. At her elbow, the sign she’d placed on the front door alerting customers to a death in the family. She must open the shop, generate income, and save her father’s—correction—her business and livelihood.
She set her reticule on the table and sat back in the chair. Surely no good news ever arrived in a linen wrapper from a law firm. Sadie picked up a jeweler’s file, its length and span in stark contrast to the task she now assigned it. Slipping the pointed tip beneath the seal on the rear of the envelope, she eased the brittle red wax from the stark white.
Inside, a single sheet of paper. She inhaled, then breathed out through her nose.
Stop wasting time. Read it.
Giveaway: Leave a comment to enter a random drawing for an ebook copy of Time Will Tell.
Question: What other kinds of non-traditional businesses might a woman own in 1889?
About Donna:
A hybrid author, Donna writes squeaky clean historical and contemporary suspense. She has been published more than 60 times in books; is a member of several writers’ groups; facilitates a critique group; teaches writing classes; and judges in writing contests. She loves history and research, traveling extensively for both, and is an avid oil painter.
Connecting online:
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December 9, 2024
Dangerous Dalliance by Valerie Massey Goree
Dangerous Dalliance
The Interesting “Task” of Choosing Character Names
I wrote the first rendition of Dangerous Dalliance many years ago. Obviously, it wasn’t published, so I put it aside and continued writing other novels. After publishing my ninth book, I decided to revise the story.
Choosing names for my characters, especially the hero and heroine, is a task I take seriously. I read through my lists and check online sites. I don’t go to that much trouble for my secondary characters, but I have a quirky way to choose their names.
I spent twenty-five years working in the public school system. Many students stand out in my memory for positive reasons. However, I remember a few kids or their parents less favorably. Any teacher will understand. Well, the names of those students or parents often play a role in my stories as secondary characters who don’t leave a positive impression.
The name of a major secondary character in my original Dangerous Dalliance was Brandon. From the first moment my student with that name entered my classroom as a four-year-old with severe allergies, a language delay, and behavioral issues until the day his family moved out of state, his behaviors and antics provided me with giggles and frustration.
Fast-forward several years. I live in a retirement community where we have 24/7 concierge services. When I moved here, the young man in charge was named Brandon. When I revised my original story, I frequently chatted with him. He was such a lovely person and treated us “older” folks with so much compassion.
Now, the name Brandon no longer conjured up images of my student but of the man I wanted to adopt as a grandson. (I found out many residents felt the same way.) I told him about my story and the reason I chose a different name for my guy.
Brandon left a few months later, and in a note he wrote me, he said, he would always remember that I changed the name of a character in my novel because of him, and he hoped he could live up to my high opinion of him.
Purchase link:
Valerie Goree Bio
American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis Award winner Valerie Massey Goree resides in the beautiful Texas Hill Country, northwest of San Antonio, Texas.
Her writing journey only began when her children were in high school. Attending workshops, and ACFW conferences helped propel her toward publication. She has ten romantic suspense novels published.
She was born in South Africa and grew up in Rhodesia—now Zimbabwe. Valerie met her husband, Glenn, at a Christian university in the USA. After they married, they served as missionaries in Rhodesia. When the family returned to Texas, Valerie began her teaching career. She served 25 years in the public school arena, focusing on children with special needs.
Valerie and her family traveled extensively throughout North America, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK. Now retired and widowed, she spends her time writing, reading, traveling, and spoiling her grandchildren.
Valerie loves to hear from her readers.
Website:
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