Julie Arduini's Blog, page 5
December 3, 2024
Fiction Finder: December 2024 New Releases
More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website
Always In My Heart by Iola Goulton — Broke solo mother Maya Allen is raising her daughter, Sarah, as well as her dead best friend’s daughter … who just happens to be her own daughter’s half sister (thanks, cheating college boyfriend). When her lowlife landlord doubles her rent, she realizes it’s time to make a new plan and return to New Zealand with her children. First she has to do the unthinkable: make contact with her ex and compel him to relinquish his parental rights so they can legally leave the country … and not let her still-strong feelings for Trent get in the way. Trent Thomas is an intern competing for a role in a prestigious Seattle law firm known for their family values. He figures he’s got the job sewn up when his firm sends him to his hometown of Trinity Lakes to research a dodgy property deal under the guise of offering the townsfolk pro bono legal services. After all, no one will know the ins and outs of small-town Trinity Lakes gossip better than a lifelong resident. But he hadn’t bargained on Maya, Sarah, and Kacey stealing his chance to get his dream job, stealing his opportunity to leave Trinity Lakes behind forever, or stealing his heart. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)
Nutcracker Cottage by Stephanie Guerrero — Telling prima ballerina, Cynthia Andrews she could no longer dance haunted Dr. Zachary Newcomb, but when a surprise encounter pulls them together, her can-do attitude, hard work and faith in Christ cause him to lose his footing and his heart. (Contemporary Romance, BubbleBath Fiction)
A Very Chapel Falls Christmas by Amanda Lauer — An epic breakup finds a world-famous musician back in his hometown at the same time his ex-fiancée comes back home, making for a holiday with its share of surprises, calamity, laughter, and love—if the two of them can learn from the mistakes that drove them apart in the first place. (Contemporary Romance from Feminine Genius)
General Contemporary:
Kept for Her by Joy L. Melville — Two people clinging to secrets and plans, unaware how God will use both to further His plans. (General Contemporary, Independently Published)
General Historical:
River of Life by Carol Ashby — When a young Roman and his Greek best friend travel up the Nile in pursuit of their dream career, a Christian Egyptian woman rescues them from certain death, and their time with her opens their eyes to more than they ever imagined. (General Historical from Cerrillo Press)
Even If We Cry by Terrie Todd — Nina’s one task is to keep her family together while a world war threatens to rip them apart. (General Historical from Mountain Brook Ink)
Historical Romance:
Love in Store by Penny Zeller –McKenna Chapman would prefer to be anywhere but the backwards and uncivilized town of Hollow Creek, Montana. Life has not been easy as of late, and this latest turn of events doesn’t help matters. She especially could do without the obnoxious, but handsome, Sheriff Beringer. For what type of lawman insists on traipsing into the boutique in search of criminals? Does he not know the first thing about proper etiquette? When Clayton Beringer was elected sheriff of Hollow Creek, he knew he might have to capture dangerous criminals on the lam, but he never figured he would have to contend with an uppity, and unfortunately, beautiful, clerk at the boutique. While unexpected circumstances draw McKenna and Clayton together and force them to realize their growing attraction toward each other, a true crime is being committed in Hollow Creek. Will they come to terms with the fact that they love each other—and catch an outlaw in the process?
Once Upon a Christmas by Penny Zeller — It’s Christmastime in Poplar Springs, Wyoming. Will Sheriff Ambrose Miller Eliason have the courage to ask the girl he’s always loved to court him? Take a break from the hustle and bustle and settle into this short heartwarming story. (Historical Romance from Maplebrook Publishing)
Tracking the Missing by Sami A. Abrams — A search for three abducted teens…and a K-9 on the case. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired Suspense [Harlequin])
Corralling the Cowboy by Elle E. Kay — A widow placed into WITSEC gets to know a famous author while he masquerades as a cowboy to research his latest novel, but her past catches up with her endangering her newfound love. (Romantic Suspense from Faith Writes Publishing)
Ambush on the Ranch by Tina Wheeler — A cowboy deputy sheriff must safeguard an amnesia victim and her twin sister from an art thief who is murdering witnesses. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired Suspense [Harlequin])
The Mysterium by Jerry Schultz — Arthur Gilchrist travels to a prestigious island school, only to discover that students are being trained to suppress an ancient order whose beliefs and powers he shares. (Young Adult, Independently Published)
Plus check out these recent additions to Fiction Finder published within the past month:
Lewis: The Beloved by Lauren H. Brandenburg — Lewisia Anna has returned to the Amharclann with a new chapter in her Story—a chapter she doesn’t want the citizens to hear. As Lewis tries to figure out how to delay the writing of her Story, she realizes a lot happened in the Amharclann while she was in the Mines. (Middle Grade Chapter Book)
A Civil Murder by Joan Hetzler — Derek and Megan, a married couple with a knack for solving mysteries are on the case again. An elderly law school professor and his wife go missing, unintentionally leaving their little Snickerdoodle dog with Megan and Derek. (Cozy Mystery)
Cornered by Lynn H. Blackburn, Lynette Eason, and Natalie Walters — Prepare for three times the thrills with these nail-biting page-turners from your favorite romantic suspense authors! (Romantic Suspense)
Line of Fire by Taylor S. Newport — On the run from a relentless enemy, a mercenary must protect a life-saving narcotic coveted by a spy. (Military Suspense)
Who Touches that Mountains by Deborah Raney — How can you ever be sure if the one you’re falling in love with is the right one—the one God intends for you? (Contemporary Romance)
Powhatan’s Power by Ora Smith — From a friend helping Pocahontas establish peace to an indentured and orphaned nobody, Thomas Savage yearns to make his own way in the world. (General Historical)
Fragments by J.A. Webb — A thrilling Christian epic fantasy adventure- “They’d do anything to seek the truth . . . the Order will do anything to stop them.” (Speculative Fantasy)
An Amish Thanksgiving by Beth Wiseman — As two romances blossom, Catherine finds hope in her circumstances, and an opportunity to have the Thanksgiving she’s always wanted. (General Contemporary)
The Choice by DL Wood — When Sadie Miles receives a mysterious letter, she’s drawn into a high-stakes journey aboard a luxury yacht, where fortune and deadly secrets await—and she must survive the treacherous waters and dangerous company to uncover the truth about her past. (Psychological Suspense)
November 13, 2024
A Mommy By Christmas by Donna Schlachter Includes #Giveaway
A Mommy By Christmas: Book 2 of A Christmas Ridge Romance series
Tasmyn Wright, consigned to remain single if that’s what God wants, is lonely. Maybe she needs a fur-pet. On a whim, she visits the local animal shelter. A delightful man about her own age helps her choose her new housemate, a long-haired calico she promptly names Belle because the creature is so beautiful. And as captivated as she is with her choice, the kind man at the shelter takes up far too much of her thoughts. But with a new member of her household, her work-at-home job as a print broker, and her volunteer work at the community care center, she has no time for romance.
Wim Sutton, the widowed father of seven-year-old Noah, loves his job as veterinarian at the shelter. Not only does he get to fix up sick or injured animals, he thrills at matching adoptees with their forever families. Take Tasmyn Wright, for example. Clearly Belle was in kitty heaven-on-earth. Still, he senses the cat will have its work cut out if it’s going to bring Tasmyn out of her shell. Although she occupies a good deal of his thoughts, he needs to focus on his son and his job. Since his wife’s passing suddenly from cancer the year before, Noah has struggled in school and in church. No, he needs to focus on his own family before he even thinks about expanding it.
About Donna:
Learn more at https://www.donnaschlachter.com/the-purpose-full-writer-coaching-programs
Check out her coaching group on FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/604220861766651
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/DonnaschlachterAuthor
Books: Amazon: http://amzn.to/2ci5Xqq
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/donna-schlachter
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=donna+schlachter
The Purpose-Full Writer: https://www.facebook.com/groups/604220861766651
Need a writing coach? https://www.donnaschlachter.com/the-purpose-full-writer-coaching-programs
Newsletter subscriber free books link: https://www.donnaschlachter.com/newsletter-subscriber-free-books
Excerpt:
Friday, November 4th
Christmas Ridge, Colorado
Chapter 1
Tasmyn Wright lifted her shoulders to release tension in her neck and back, delighting at the three or four distinct pops signaling vertebrae slipping back into the proper place. She clicked send on the online ordering form on her screen, then made a notation on the cover of her client’s file and added it to the to be filed pile. Which she fully intended to get to—tomorrow.
She loved her work as a print broker. Enjoyed interacting with clients—most of the time. Had a good relationship with several print suppliers. And relished the creative aspect of designing logos and brand marketing. Not to mention the bonus of operating almost entirely from home. She joked about her situation—that she worked from home before it was cool to do that.
But as fulfilling and profitable as her occupation was, it wasn’t her vocation. That, she would have to say, was helping people. Sure, providing a useful and critical service to clients was helpful, but not in the same way her volunteering at the community care center—food bank didn’t even come close to describing her vision for this service—filled a need within the community. And within herself, too.
Despite all the great ideas, and the flyers, and that her ministry—dare she even call it that?—offered multiple food and personal care options, attendance hadn’t grown as she’d hoped. Not that she wanted folks to need help—but in an imperfect world, until Jesus returned, that was bound to be the case.
She opened the community care center spreadsheet and scanned the numbers of attendees over the past three months. Few to none. Her heart sank to her toes. Difficult to justify all the hours she invested at the community center that hosted her care ministry. And unless the numbers increased, her suppliers weren’t likely to want to do more, either. Not to even mention near to impossible to recruit volunteers. Nobody wanted to stand around and twiddle their fingers when they could be more active and involved elsewhere. Like the church daycare. Or the Lions Club Christmas Stocking program. Seemed everywhere she turned at this time of year, another charitable group had something special planned.
Still, if she could help just one family…
But how? In the past, she’d hoped signs in businesses and word of mouth about the food available would convince folks to come out. One evening a week, that’s all. After most had finished work for the day.
But how?
Tasmyn sat back in her chair and chewed on the end of her pen before tossing it on to the desk. What did she hope to achieve with the community care center? To provide nutritious meals for folks struggling with buying groceries.
Her phone rang. “Hello?”
“Yes. Is this the food bank lady?”
Tasmyn winced. Community care center. More than just food for the body. She pasted on a smile, hoping the woman on the other end could feel it. “Yes, it is.”
“I was wondering if you pay utility bills?”
She held back a groan. At least three times a week, calls came in looking for money to pay the cable bill, rent, car repairs. Food, she had. Money, she did not. “No, I’m sorry. We provide fresh and non-perishable food and personal care items right now. Come see us, save your grocery money, and pay your bills with that instead.”
“Okay, thanks. I spent my money on groceries already. But maybe I’ll come see you next week.”
“Have you tried your church? They sometimes have a benevolence fund.”
“Don’t go to church.”
“Well, if you’re looking for—”
The line went dead, and Tasmyn disconnected. The same story, over and over. Either they didn’t fellowship, or they’d worn out their church with their needs. Still, at least this woman called. So many wouldn’t. They’d struggle along until the phone company disconnected their service, the bank repossessed their car, or the power company shut off their electricity. Next, they’d lose their housing. Maybe even their kids if Social Services found out. There had to be a better way.
How to convince folks there was no shame in accepting help?
If she could empower them to make better choices, such as accept free food and use that money to pay bills, that’s how. Show them how to take control of their finances, instead of playing catch-up all the time. Or hide-and-seek from their creditors. Demonstrate how to prioritize their expenses so they didn’t stay in this cycle of running out of money before they ran out of month.
She smiled. This was why she’d started the community care center. Yes, meeting the immediate need was important, but as the adage went, teach a man to fish…
While she often felt like a fish out of water in dealing with the clients at the community care center, petitioning suppliers for donations was much like brokering print deals for clients. Ask for more than she knew they would give, counter their offer, and thank them as if it were their idea. Send a thank-you card. One to them, one to their direct supervisor. Tasmyn understood the business world—folks simply trying to get ahead.
She opened her favorite design software and set about choosing colors and designs for a flyer. In keeping with the season and the theme—Let food pay your bills—she selected orange tones, yellows, and greens. A brief description about the community care center, times, location, and what was on offer. Images of groceries. Oh, a paid bill image. Perfect.
She printed a sample, adjusted the font size and position of an image, then printed another. Satisfied, she set the printer to churning out twenty flyers.
While she waited, she scanned the calendar on her cell. She needed a deadline.
A second glance at the still-open attendance report reminded her of the dismal numbers. Five was the highest. Okay. She drew a deep breath, held it, then exhaled.
“If I don’t have at least twenty-five clients attending each week by Thanksgiving, I’ll call it quits.”
She retrieved the flyers from the printer and tapped them into a neat bundle, ready for delivery tomorrow.
Like Gideon in the Bible, she’d lay out that fleece. If the prayed-for clients didn’t materialize, God must want to use her elsewhere.
Another sigh.
Where would the Almighty choose to use a forty-two-year-old spinster?
Too bad she wasn’t Catholic. Then she could join a convent.
{*}
A drop of perspiration slid down Wim’s nose, threatening to contaminate the sterile surgical field that contained a now-three-legged Brittany Spaniel, surgical robing, and his instruments.
He turned his head to one side, then wrenched his neck another notch to dislodge the offender. The liquid dropped to the floor.
Wim closed his eyes a moment, pressing his shoulders down to relieve the ache between his shoulder blades. Thank you, God.
The last thing he needed was to have to sterilize the area again. After six surgeries—two emergencies, including this one—and a full day here at the Christmas Ridge Animal Shelter, he didn’t need any more delays.
Three more stitches, a dab with a gauze ball to check for leakage—all looked good. He called out to his veterinary assistant/receptionist. “Harmony. I’m done here. Will you do the final cleanup? I’ll help you move him to a kennel for recovery.”
“Sure, Doc Wim. Let me scrub up first.”
Wim appreciated his assistant’s go-to attitude. Whatever he asked of her, from assisting with a difficult patient, to cleaning up vomit—or worse—in an examination room, to surgical nurse duties—always a smile. A kind word. A gentle touch.
She’d make a fine wife to some young man someday.
He eased down on the anesthesia to prepare for concluding the surgery and moving the dog. The unfortunate creature, found injured on the highway, would awaken minus one front leg. But the amputation went well. The beast was healthy and young, and Wim expected a full and speedy recovery. Only after that would he hopefully find the dog a new forever home.
And speaking of recovery, he had several patients that needed checking before he could even think about picking up his second grader, Noah, from after-school care. Harmony entered, living up to her name, as usual, bringing an air of calm and peace with her.
He nodded and backed away from the table, pausing outside the door to strip off his cotton surgical scrubs and hat, tossing his latex gloves in the trash, then pushing through the swinging doors into the recovery area.
He peered into the kennel containing the most critical patient currently—a green parrot with a prolapsed cloaca, rushed in earlier in the day by a most concerned owner, who thought its insides were coming out. Well, they were. Not the intestines, thankfully. Prolapses were common in the larger birds, as he explained to Mrs. Sawyer, and usually surgery was successful if dealt with immediately. The parrot lay on its side, eyes open, beak moving. Good signs. He checked that food and water were available, watched the respirations for a minute to ensure the animal wasn’t in stress, then moved on to his other patients.
Three cats he’d spayed this morning snoozed in their crates. A dog who’d undergone the removal of his dew claws lifted a sleepy head. All looked well-recovered from their ordeals, and all would likely go home tomorrow. Even the parrot, if he held his own through the night.
The bell over the front door rang, and Wim straightened and checked the clock. Thirty minutes until closing. Always seemed like a few last-minute folks would drop in—hopefully no emergencies.
He stepped into the combination retail area/waiting room. “Mrs. Grant. How are you?”
The woman pulled a piece of paper from her purse. About eighty, dressed in a coat and hat that were at least forty years old, she looked the image of the Queen Mother. She held up the paper with trembling fingers. “I need more of that prescription food. Mollie only likes this kind.” She leaned closer. “She’s fussy. Like me.”
As always, Wim smiled at her. “Not fussy. Particular because she—and you—like the best.”
And, as always, the older lady’s cheek went pink. “You’re so kind. Ten cans, if you please.”
Knowing Mollie’s preference, Wim kept a twelve-pack on hand with the woman’s name on it. And, as usual, he gave her the full case for the cost of ten. It was their secret. “There you go. I’ll just carry that out to your car.”
Amidst protests that he was busy, and she could make several trips—also part of their personal drama—he did as he said, smiling at the man, woman, and young girl who waited their turn. “I’ll be right back.”
Sure enough, he returned within a minute or so. “How can I help you?”
The woman laid her hands on the counter. “Are we too late to look at puppies?”
“Well, you’re too late to take one home today, but sometimes that’s better because you have time to meet them and think about them overnight.” He squatted down to the little girl’s level. “What kind of puppy do you want?”
“A brown one.” Large blue eyes stared back at him from a face so pale he could see the veins under her skin. And the dark circles ringing her eyes. “I’m going to call him Brownie.”
He straightened and included the parents. “I think we have some brown ones.” He led the way to a doorway to another part of the building. “This is the dog side of the shelter. You’ll find a volunteer who can show you the puppies.” He waited until the mother and daughter exited the area, then leaned close to the father. “But maybe she’d do better with an older dog. They are less active, particularly in her situation, perhaps?”
The father nodded. “I’d thought the same thing.” He swallowed hard. “Her mother wants a dog that will grow up with her, but I don’t know…”
Wim laid a hand on the man’s arm. “I understand this is a difficult time for you right now. Perhaps adding a dog to the family isn’t the best idea.”
“I can’t disappoint her now that we’re here. But thank you for telling us we can’t take one home tonight. That surely takes the pressure off her mother and me.”
“Do you believe in prayer?”
“We do. The doctors have given her less than three months. They’ve done all they can, but we’re not giving up.”
Wim moved his hand to the man’s shoulder and petitioned the throne of grace for God to intercede on behalf of the little girl and her family.
A tear trickled down the father’s cheek, which he swiped away. “Thank you for taking the time.”
“Whether or not you get a dog, come back anytime.”
“Thank you.” He held out a hand. “John Thomas. My wife Elsie and our daughter Victoria.”
“Her name means victory. Or victor. She’s a tough little one.” Wim shook his hand. “Wim Sutton. Wish we could have met under better circumstances.”
John nodded and followed his family through the doorway.
When the door closed, Wim checked the parking lot, locked the front door, then turned the sign to show they weren’t open. He chuckled at the wording for business hours. The Doc is in. Sit! Stay! And the version that communicated they weren’t: The Doc is out. Way out.
A glance at the clock behind the counter confirmed what his weary bones told him: Close enough to six—two minutes to go. He emptied the trash can behind the counter, picked up a candy wrapper dropped behind a chair in the waiting area, and wiped down the counter and chairs with antiseptic wipes. Harmony would vacuum then mop before she left.
Laughter filtered under the door leading to the dog area, and, for a moment, he pictured the little girl sitting in the midst of the half dozen puppies, the little creatures climbing all over her. Licking her pale skin. Bringing a smile to the face that had seen so much in her brief life.
He didn’t know how her parents could keep up such a brave face. He hadn’t with Lora. No matter how much she’d tried to distract him from the inevitable, he failed to see anything good in the experience. Not even God.
But then…in Lora’s final days, when he stayed with her around the clock as she lay there, unresponsive most of the time…except for those seconds when she’d open her eyes, stare at him, grip his hand. And ask him if he could see it.
It changed each time. The white light. The gates of heaven opening for her. The face of Jesus. Her parents. His.
By the time she passed, he wished he was going, too. She made it sound so peaceful and calm. So loving.
Her visions were exactly what he needed to let her go. Not to a cold grave and uncertainty, but to a heavenly realm made for her in mind. Just as Jesus had said. He went to build a mansion.
Lora gave him the strength to carry on for their son after her passing. Perhaps that’s what little Victoria was doing for her parents. While the dog might outlive their daughter—which they well knew—maybe its presence would remind them of happier times until they met again one day, long down the road.
Thinking about the little girl with a triumphant name reminded him of his own child. Noah. He sure lived up to his moniker: quiet repose. Rarely sharing his thoughts. Wim never knew what his son would come up with next. Not that he didn’t have good vocabulary skills. He was top of his second grade for reading aloud, comprehension, writing stories. It was simply that the boy never opened to share his feelings. Had his mother’s passing the previous year scarred him emotionally? Maybe he needed to ask at school about family counseling…
He sighed and headed out the back door toward his car. Something else to add to his list. Already, being a full-time dad, full-time veterinarian, and full-time child of God took more hours than he had. Not to mention also being a full-time mom, cook and housekeeper—was he doing well at anything?
Available here in print and digital: https://www.amazon.com/Mommy-Christmas-Ridge-Romance-Book-ebook/dp/B0BG96LFJF
Print releases November 8th!
Giveaway: Answer the following question to be entered into a random drawing for a free print (US only) or ebook copy of A Mommy By Christmas. PLEASE cleverly disguise your email address so you don’t get phished. For example: donna AT livebytheword DOT com
If you don’t leave an email address, you can’t win because we can’t contact you 
Question: Do you think you’d like living in a small town like Christmas Ridge? Why or why not?
November 11, 2024
Friends & Enemies by Terri Wangard
Julie’s Note:
This is a look back at Terri Wangard’s debut novel, Friends & Enemies. If you haven’t heard of Terri or her work, check it out!
Creating a Family to Be Proud Of
By Terri Wangard
A batch of forgotten letters was found in my grandmother’s house. Written in 1947 and 1948, they came from distant cousins in Germany. My grandparents and other relatives had been sending them care packages. My great-great-grandfather immigrated to Wisconsin in the 1870s, as did two brothers. A fourth brother remained in Germany, and these letters came from his grandchildren.
When I revived a dream to write in 2008, I decided the family in the letters would be the perfect subject around which to craft a story. Research revealed life in Nazi Germany as increasingly grim before the war even started. The letters provide a fascinating glimpse of life in war torn Germany, but nothing about the war years. How had the family coped? I turned to the internet and searched on the family’s factory name. I found it all right, in a list of German companies that used slave labor. I wanted my family to be the good guys, but that hope grew shaky.
Contact had ceased in 1948 after the German currency reform, and with their silence in the letters, many questions couldn’t be answered. Why had they refrained from any mention of their thoughts and activities during Hitler’s regime? Desire to forget? Shame of the vanquished? Concern the American family wouldn’t help if they knew the truth?
Circumstances of their postwar life offer a few facts. The family consisted of a brother, his wife, and three young children, and a sister and her husband, and their “old gray mother,” who turned 66 in 1947. Another brother languished as a prisoner of war in Russia, not returning home until 1949, I learned from the German department for the notification of next of kin. The sister and her bridegroom had lived in Canada for five years, returning to Germany in 1937 because she was homesick. They were bombed out of their homes and lived in their former offices, temporarily fixed up as a residence. Before the war, they employed about one hundred men, but in 1947, had fewer than forty-five, with no coal, electricity, or raw materials to work with.
My imagination took over. The family, not the newlyweds, came to Wisconsin. Because a critiquer scorned someone returning to Hitler’s Germany due to homesickness, I gave them a more compelling reason when I rewrote the story. The grandfather had died and the father had to return to take over the factory, much to the daughters’ dismay, who loved their new life in America.
They did not support Hitler. Because their factory had to produce armaments and meet quotas imposed on them, they had no choice in accepting Eastern European forced laborers, Russian POWs, and Italian military internees.
The older daughter (my main character) took pride in committing acts of passive resistance. Now a war widow, she hid a downed American airman, an act punishable by execution. When they were betrayed, a dangerous escape from Germany ensued.
Maybe the family did support Hitler. Many did before realizing his true colors. My version probably doesn’t come close to the truth, especially concerning the daughter. The real daughter was twelve years old in 1947. No matter. This is fiction, and this is a family I can be proud of.
________________________________________________________
Friends & Enemies was Terri Wangard’s debut novel published in 2016. Her first Girl Scout badge was the Writer. Holder of a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in library science, she lives in Wisconsin. Her latest WWII novel, Seashells in My Pocket, takes place in Brazil. Terri serves on the ACFW Genesis and First Impressions contest teams and as secretary of the Wisconsin Southeast chapter.
Terri Wangard grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, during the Lombardi Glory Years. Her first Girl Scout badge was the Writer. Holder of a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in library science, she lives in Wisconsin. Her WWII research included going for a ride in a B-17 Flying Fortress bomber. Classic Boating Magazine, a family business since 1984, keeps her busy as an associate editor. She also serves on the Genesis and First Impressions contest teams and as secretary of the Wisconsin Southeast chapter.
Social Media Links/Website:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorTerriWangard
Instagram: @terriwangard
Website: http://www.terriwangard.com
Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/3ebe98dc
November 9, 2024
Tuesday: Reader Celebration
I can’t believe my first release, Entrusted, published ten years ago. My first small-town romance with a fiesty heroine named Jenna and a grieving grump named Ben honestly remains a favorite.
Since then I’ve authored ten books. Given I’m a wife, mom, and served in youth and now women’s ministry, it’s a balance I haven’t figured out how to write more. Still, I want to celebrate those ten years!
Join me Tuesday on the Julie Arduini Facebook Reader Group page from 7-10 PM EST. Eleven other authors will join me from various genres. We will have games, complimentary eBooks, and prizes.
Oh, my grand prize?
One US winner will receive paperback copies of all TEN BOOKS.
It’s going to be a great night. Can’t be there the entire time? Join when you can, and then return within the next day or two. The posts will stay, but giveaways will have a deadline. You don’t want to miss out!
Do me a favor and share this with reader friends.
Thank YOU for taking this journey with me.
October 21, 2024
Finally Forever with Karin Beery
Behind the Scenes with Finally Forever by Karin Beery
Aunt Linda moved in with my husband and me in 2012. In her mid-sixties, she had lived in a care home for most of her adult life. As a special-needs woman, she moved into the home after her dad died and her mom’s Alzheimer’s made it impossible to care for Linda. The small, family-style care home treated Linda like family, but after several decades there, we wanted to give her a taste of life on the outside.
Living with Aunt Linda was eye opening in so many ways. Not only is she capable of so much more than people realize—her breakfasts and chef’s salads are amazing!—but she has a heart to serve. She doesn’t want people taking care of her unless she can also take care of others.
On top of that, she loves babies and animals. She’s passionate about Michigan/Detroit sports. And she’s a fan of reality game shows, specifically Survivor and Dancing with the Stars (DWTS).
I don’t have the patience for Survivor, but I decided to watch DWTS with her, at least for the first episode. That one episode turned into several seasons of the dance competition, which was more than a dance competition for us. It became a weekly ritual. We arranged our schedules around the show, picked out snacks, then cheered for our favorite teams.
When it was time to start a new novel, I wanted to share it with Linda in some way. That inspired so many real-life ties in Finally Forever: a DWTS-style fundraiser (based on SwingShift and the Stars Dance-Off for Charity in Traverse City, Michigan), a nonprofit that benefits special-needs adults (based on Brickways in Traverse City), and several special-needs characters (all inspired by either Aunt Linda or the other women she once lived with).
In 2014, Aunt Linda moved out to live with her sister for a while, but in 2024, after the release of the Linda-inspired novel Finally Forever, she moved back in with me, and we’re once again watching DWTS together. I’ll never be able to watch that show or read Finally Forever without thinking about Aunt Linda, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Back Cover:
Winning the dance competition could land Caroline her dream job but at the cost of her heart.
Former competitive dancer Caroline Novak dreams of leaving the corporate world to work with special needs women at the Pathways non-profit, but the organization can’t afford a full-time director. All-American defensive end Ben Allen was on his way to the NFL when a knee injury sent him home and into the same office as Caroline, his best friend’s older sister. When Pathways participates in a Dancing with the Stars-inspired fundraiser, Caroline quickly volunteers, and Ben joins her as the local “star.”
It doesn’t take long for Ben to realize it’s more than a dance competition, and Caroline is more than his best friend’s sister, but after two failed engagements, she’s hesitant to trust her heart with another man. When the NFL calls Ben, it looks like his dream might finally come true—but it could cost them the championship and Caroline her heart.
Author of hopeful fiction with a healthy dose of romance, Karin Beery lives in northern Michigan with her husband and pets. They drink too much (decaf) coffee, put up their Christmas tree the first weekend in November, and do their best to live every day for the Lord.
Links:
https://www.facebook.com/authorkarinbeery/
https://www.instagram.com/karinbeery/
https://twitter.com/karinbeery
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2666258-karin
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/karin-beery
October 17, 2024
Celebrate Lit Bring on the Fall Giveaway
Fall is in full swing and so is this amazing promotion. Celebrate Lit is having a Bring on the Fall giveaway. Grand prize is 30+ books and a $50 Amazon card. Anchored Hearts is my participating book, so I’m very excited.
It’s easy to enter. You click HERE.
October 10, 2024
World Mental Health Day: You’re Worth It
Yesterday was World Mental Health Day and I came across this at the bottom of my LinkedIn page. I know the Mess had … and my guess is it means I have messages.
But me and 2024? I feel like it’s been a green light for the hot mess express.
I’ve shared over the years that I’m unashamed to share that I have a hormonal imbalance. Where some women have PCOS, at the time my surgeon said I said the medical books because my “parts” were 5x the size of normal. I was in chronic pain, infertile, and the mood swings sent me to the bedroom to hide.
Finally, in my mid-thirties I realized depressed and moody wasn’t how I wanted to live. My hormones were in a free-for-all all between pregnancies, miscarriage, and early menopause because of stress. When I went to the doctor I begged for a hysterectomy. I got that the next year, but before we pulled the cord on it, he also recommended an antidepressant.
It saved my life.
When things were bad, I would envision walking to a medicine cabinet to do the worst. One time I did walk over. I packed a suitcase. But I stayed and suffered, not because of anything or anyone around me but because of hormones.
The antidepressant journey went very smoothly for me. I think the first medicine he tried worked, and it wasn’t long before we landed on the right dose.
I got my life back.
And then came Spring 2024.
I received a letter from insurance saying they would not cover that medicine. Out of pocket was thousands of dollars. They left me with a list of alternatives.
The doctor who originally prescribed said his office no longer does authorizations or works on rejections. I got the message that I’d need to visit a different doctor to get this figured out.
My primary listened to me and prescribed something different. He suggested a follow-up four months later.
It didn’t take long to discover that medicine was NOT for me. I was as anxious as when I didn’t take anything all those years ago. My mind raced at a speed that felt like an out-of-control Tilt-A-Whirl. I was weepy, starving, up a lot at night, and at times not just missing my parents, but wanting to join them. They are deceased.
I called the primary and he said it takes time.
I found a new doctor.
This week I was finally able to get in and he couldn’t believe I was prescribed what I was because it was nothing close to the original med that had worked so well. He felt I should go with what insurance was offering, and there were meds there that mirrored what I had been on. He prescribed that.
This week I’m coming off the one and starting on the other. It’s a ride to be sure, a little weepy and overwhelmed. Yet, I see hope. I’m not starving. I’m sleeping. My thoughts are back to normal speed.
When I was a kid there was a commercial for something and the tag line was “You’re worth it.” Here’s the deal: when it comes to pursuing healthy and legal means to be your best self, you are worth it. The last thing I wanted to do was find another doctor. I hate the phone and I’ve been exhausted all year.
There were few I felt I could go to and say hey, “I’m really struggling here.”But I had a very small tribe who knew and kept me in prayer Getting out of bed wasn’t too hard because I love my weird coffee I make. But many days this year all that kept me going was knowing I could be back in bed away from the noise, the stress, the overwhelm.
I’m writing this because I know I’m not alone even when my hormones make me feel that way sometimes. I pray you read this and realize you’re worth finding a solution. I am not advocating anything illegal so don’t think I’m giving you permission for that. Nor am I a fan of Big Pharma, quite the opposite, actually.. But I reached a point I needed something to fill the gap that was missing, and for me, the anti depressant was the answer.
This year as I struggled with no longer having the exact same one available, I read a couple of books that were lifesavers for me.
Untangle Your Emotions by Jennie Allen
Letting God Be Enough by Erica Wiiggenhorn.
I also love the Bible. The Psalms contain so much relatable content. Jeremiah? I get him. He was cruising right along and then BAM! Depression. His story is pretty cool.
So is yours. If you have any kind of mental health issue, don’t hide. Don’t isolate. Find support and a good doctor who will listen to you.
October 9, 2024
Cathy’s Christmas Confession by Patti Shene Gonzales
Character Interview with Cathy Fischer
Question: HI Cathy. I’d like to ask you some questions for readers if you can spare a few
minutes.
Cathy: Sure, I’d be glad to give you some of my time. What would you like to know?
Question: First, if you don’t mind, tell us who you are.
Cathy: My name is Cathy Fischer. I’m a widower and the church secretary for the Christmas Ridge Community Church. I guess the most important thing, though, is that I’m the main character in Patti’s book, Cathy’s Christmas Confession.
Question: What did you learn about yourself when Patti wrote you into her story?
Cathy: I knew I always wanted to help people when they needed it, but I didn’t realize how many hurting people are right under my nose, so to speak. I was quite surprised to learn how many people may know about Jesus without knowing Him!
Question: What do you wish you could change about yourself?
Cathy: Oh goodness, sometimes I wish I wasn’t such a scatterbrain! If I would concentrate on what I’m supposed to be doing instead of what I wish I had done or what I didn’t do, I’d be much better off. If I hadn’t been thinking about that dumb cup of coffee I left sitting in the snow the morning I was clearing the truck, I probably wouldn’t have collided with that STOP sign.
Question: Mishaps like that can be annoying, but they sometimes lead to blessings we never anticipated. Do you think perhaps God ordained that little accident that led to you connecting with David Martin?
Cathy: Absolutely! God does work in mysterious ways, and we never know what plans He has in the works for our lives. That’s what makes Him such an extraordinary and amazing God!
Question: You reached out to David when you saw him grieving the recent death of his wife in view of the upcoming Christmas season. Did you anticipate that a romance would develop?
Cathy: (chuckles). No, I sure didn’t! I could tell all the joy had gone out of David’s life, and my intention was to help him find purpose that would bring back the joy in Christmas. You’ll have to read my story in Cathy’s Christmas Confession to learn more about my marriage, which was somewhat unusual. Still, I truly believed God had given me a certain number of years with my
husband where I felt loved and cherished. I was content with that. I wasn’t really looking for more romance in my life after his passing.
Question: You had quite a reputation for providing cookies at Community Center functions, church fellowship, and as surprise pick me up gifts for those who needed a little cheer in their lives. Care to share your favorite recipe?
Cathy: I’m so sorry, but those recipes are a closely guarded family secret.
Question: Is there perhaps a secret to your baking prowess hidden between the pages of Cathy’s Christmas Confession?
Cathy: (turns on a bright smile) Perhaps.
Question: Any final thought you’d like to share with readers?
Cathy: Oh yes! May you always find Christmas joy!
BIO:
Patti Shene Gonzales enjoyed a thirty-year career as a psychiatric nurse and has always harbored a desire to write. She has three novels in progress spanning the contemporary and historical western genre. She hosts Step Into the Light, a bi-monthly interview style podcast, where guests share their journey out of darkness or ways they lead others out of darkness. She hosts published and unpublished writers on her two blogs, Patti’s Porch and The Over 50 Writer. Patti enjoys reading, writing, critiquing, watching old TV westerns, and spending time with family and friends.
She is the author of Cathy’s Christmas Confession: A Christmas Ridge Romance Book 3, the third book in a contemporary Christmas novella multi-author series. (Each story can stand alone). The book is available on Amazon in Kindle and print format and on Kindle Unlimited.
Patti was born in New York but has made her home in Southeastern Colorado for the past fifty years. She is one of the original founders of the Colorado Springs chapter of ACFW.
LINKS:
Website: www.pattishene.com (NEWSLETTER SIGN UP AT TOP OF
PAGE)
Facebook Step Into the Light: https://www.facebook.com/pattishene
Facebook personal: https://www.facebook.com/gunsmokefan/
Twitter: @pattishene
Linkedin: @Patti Shene
Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/stores/Patti-Shene-
Gonzales/author/B0BLHXMC71
BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/patti-shene-gonzales
October 7, 2024
Love and Chocolate by Linda Shenton Matchett
Love and Chocolate: The Story Behind the Story
By Linda Shenton Matchett
During my high school years we lived in Montgomery County, Maryland which is about a two-hour drive to Hershey, Pennsylvania. Our church youth group visited the town’s amusement park, Hershey Park, on numerous occasions, and I still remember the smell of chocolate that clung to the air.
A couple of years ago while I was planning my upcoming writing projects, I knew I wanted to write a series of books about siblings but couldn’t decide where or went to set the stories. Lots of research later, I discovered the 1898 Columbian Exposition here in the United States and the various inventions associated with that event. Further study led me to Milton Hershey who attended that World’s Fair and was so enamored with the concept of chocolate production for the masses that he sold his caramel company to enter the chocolate business – a risky proposition at that time.
As I read more about Milton and his wife Catherine “Kitty” Sweeney-Hershey, I knew I had the beginnings of a story. At the time they met during one of his business trips in 1897, he was a confirmed 41-year-old bachelor and Kitty fourteen years younger. But he was struck by her beauty, charm, and maturity, and he visited the shop where she worked on a regular basis. They married in 1898.
Several places were considered for the chocolate factory, but Milton settled on a location thirty miles from where he was born in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania about two hours from Harrisburg. The area was somewhat rural, and he created a company town to attract workers. The homes he built for his workers were of good quality and employees could choose to rent or purchase their house. Schools, medical facilities and doctors, a library, movie theater, playground (which would eventually become Hershey Park), and other necessary services were constructed and provided for the employees. By all reports, Milton paid his employees very well. It’s no wonder when the vote was taken to name the town, residents chose “Hershey” by a landslide.
Philanthropy was a Milton Hershey watchword. He came from nothing and felt it was his responsibility to give back to the community so others might have a chance. He and his wife were unable to have children, and after much discussion, they opened the Hershey Industrial School in 1909.
The owner of Beck’s Chocolates in my latest release Love and Chocolate is inspired by Milton Hershey, and I enjoyed creating my own “company town,” Cocoaville in which to set the story. Taking place in 1914 prior to the beginning of World War I, the story explores the mixed feelings about German-Americans that were prevalent at the time as well as themes of second chances and forgiveness.
I’m not a big candy eater, but when I do indulge dark chocolate is my preference. What about you? Do you have a favorite candy?
About Love and Chocolate
She just needs a job. He wants a career. Is there room in their hearts for love?
Ilsa Krause and her siblings are stunned to discover their father left massive debt behind upon his death. To help pay off their creditors and save the farm, she takes a job at Beck’s Chocolates, the company her father despised and refused to supply with milk. Then she discovers her boss is Ernst Webber, her high school love who unceremoniously dumped her via letter from college. Could life get any more difficult?
A freshly-minted university diploma in his hand, Ernst Webber lands his dream job at Beck’s Chocolates. His plans to work his way up the ladder don’t include romantic entanglements, then Ilsa Krause walks back into his life resurrecting feelings he thought long dead. However, her animosity makes it clear she has no interest in giving him a second chance. Can he get her to change her mind? Does he want to?
Purchase Link: https://books2read.com/u/mdQerZ
Linda Shenton Matchett writes happily-ever-after historical Christian fiction about second chances and women who overcome life’s challenges to be better versions of themselves. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, she was born a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry (of Star-Spangled Banner fame) and has lived in historical places all her life. She is a volunteer docent and archivist at the Wright Museum of WWII and a former trustee for her local public library. She now lives in central New Hampshire where she explores the history of this great state and immerses herself in the imaginary worlds created by other authors.
Social Media Links:
Website/Blog: http://www.LindaShentonMatchett.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LindaShentonMatchettAuthor
FB Readers’ Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/lindashentonmatchettsreadersgroup
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/lindasmatchett
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@lindamatchett
Newsletter Signup: https://BookHip.com/BKQNLMN
October 5, 2024
ACFW Fiction Finder October 2024 New Releases
October 2024 New ReleasesMore in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website
General Contemporary:
I’ll Be Home by Darlene L. Turner, by Sara Davison, Helena Smrcek, Melanie Stevenson — With chaos and confusion all around them, can they find their way home this Christmas? The people in these four stories are all searching for something—an escaped convict, a job promotion from a love interest, connection to a lost parent, answers across time. Christmas should be a time of wonder and celebration, but the obstacles each faces seem insurmountable. Perhaps they will find what they are seeking during this season of miracles and hope. Or maybe, with God’s help, they will discover that the longing of their hearts takes them to places—and people—they didn’t even know they’d been searching for. (General Contemporary, Independently Published)
Chokecherry Valley Collection by Jean Rezab — One accident. Two devastated families. Paul Richmond’s life changed in an instant when his wife and seven-year-old daughter die in a car accident. He struggles to move forward with this huge change. As his two-year sobriety anniversary approaches, he knows he’s on the edge of a relapse. He takes a sabbatical from his work as a doctor and works on his in-law’s farm to get perspective and try to come to terms with his new life. What if Paul could have the one thing he desires most? To see and speak to his daughter again. (General Contemporary, Independently Published)
A Match Made at Christmas by Amy R. Anguish, Sarah Anne Crouch, Lori DeJong, Heather Greer — A mischievous little boy, an interfering friend, a committee of Christmas planners, and a quartet of teenage elves play matchmakers in this fun collection of Christmas romances. (Contemporary Romance, Scrivenings Press)
The Warrior’s B&B by Jennie Atkins — Is it possible for a man to fall in love with two different women and never suspect they are the same person? (Contemporary Romance from Amazon)
The Dream of a Cowboy by Elsie Davis — Cowboys who deserve a second chance at love and happiness and the women strong enough to show them the way…Texas style! (Contemporary Romance from Sweet Romance Publishing)
One Starry Christmas by Mary A. Felkins — A pastor with a past faces his greatest challenge. Redemption. (Contemporary Romance from Gardenia Press)
Wild at Heart by Alyssa Schwarz — She craves adventure. He’s had enough adventure for a lifetime. But when these two friends find themselves searching the skies for an endangered hawk, they’ll find there’s more at stake than the future of Wild Rose Ridge. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)
Historical:
Brave by Mesu Andrews — In the tumultuous world of ancient Israel, Ahinoam–a fierce and unconventional Kenite woman–flees her family farm with her dagger-wielding father to join the ragtag band of misfits led by the shepherd-turned-warrior David ben Jesse. As King Saul’s treasonous accusations echo through the land, Ahinoam’s conviction that David’s anointing makes him Yahweh’s chosen king propels her on a perilous journey to Moab, only to encounter hardship and betrayal. (Historical from Bethany House Publishing)
All We Thought We Knew by Michelle Shocklee — In the midst of pain and loss two women must come face-to-face with their own assumptions about what they thought they knew about themselves and others. What they discover will lead to a far greater appreciation of their own legacies and the love of those dearest to them. (Historical from Tyndale House)
Historical Romance:
One Special Christmas by Amanda Cabot — It will take a miracle to salvage her dreams, but Christmas is the season of miracles, isn’t it? (Historical Romance from ByDand Publishing)
A Christmas at Hotel del Coronado by Kathleen Denly — Her entire life, Eleanore Wainright has been molded to fit the ideal society wife in the glittering world of New York’s elite. Her father’s aspirations for her are clear: marry a man of wealth and status and secure their family’s future. But when she arrives at the Hotel del Coronado with intentions to do just that, Eleanore’s carefully laid plans are thrown into disarray when she comes face to face with Thomas Harding, the man who shattered her heart and disappeared without a trace. (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)
Beyond Shattered Dreams by Cynthia Roemer — After months in a Confederate prison camp, Private Will Everett boards the Sultana eager to return home and leave behind the horrors of war. One day into the voyage, the overcrowded steamboat explodes, rendering Will injured and unable to recall his identity. With only a pocket watch and the name Will E. etched inside to guide him, Will begins a relentless quest to find his forgotten past. (Historical Romance from Scrivenings Press)
Healing Hearts by Sherida Stewart — Two wounded hearts. His shattered by grief, hers burdened by guilt. Will these two hurting hearts be healed by love and faith? A frontier “Beauty and the Beast” tale set in New Mexico Territory. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)
The Beastie of Brambly Bald by Amanda Cleary Eastep — Jack Finch’s plan to gobble up tons of turkey over Thanksgiving Break and work on the Tree Street Kids’ fort has been foiled. Instead, the Finches are traveling to the mountains of North Carolina to visit grandparents Jack barely knows. Thank goodness his best friends Ellison and Roger are coming with him to the cabin on Brambly Bald mountain. But something is lurking in the forest, and soon Jack uncovers a secret bigger than Bigfoot. When the kids come face to face with a real threat, will Jack find a way to protect his friends? Jack braves danger, finds new branches on his family tree, and discovers what it means to be rooted in God’s great family. (Middle-grade/Chapter Books from Moody Publishers)
Time to Pay by Susan Page Davis — A near miss for Tony throws the squad into high gear. Captain Harvey Larson is summoned by the mayor to help solve a crime she doesn’t want publicized. Was the caller threatening her or her husband? Meanwhile, the detectives in the Priority Unit are chasing down other criminals. (Mystery [Police Procedural] from Tea Tin Press)
70 North by Kimberley Woodhouse — In this thrilling finale, mysteries deepen, faith is tested, and the pulse of cyber threats intensifies against the striking backdrop of Deadhorse, Alaska. (Contemporary Suspense from Kregel Publications)
Terminal Danger by Jerusha Agen — When a busload of schoolchildren disappears, Phoenix Gray knows the kidnapper is the unidentified serial killer she’s spent her life trying to catch. This time, she’ll find the killer and bring him to justice no matter what it takes. She and her Phoenix K-9 Security and Detection Agency join the search for the hostages, but they aren’t the only ones who want the criminal captured. (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published [ACFW QIP])
Finding Amanda by Robin Patchen — A gripping tale of trauma, justice, and the extraordinary strength of a man who’ll do anything to protect the woman he loves. (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published [ACFW QIP])
Search and Detect by Terri Reed — When her home is destroyed by a bomb, Zoe and her little girl need protection and FBI agent Chase Rawlston takes on the job while determining if the bombing is related to the serial killer he’s tracking. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Assigned to Protect by Melanie D. Snitker — Police Officer Jenny Durant and FBI Agent Blake Patterson are assigned to protect a witness who is testifying in a high-profile case. Before she can testify, a bomb goes off at the courthouse, throwing everything into chaos. With multiple casualties and another missing defendant, it’s impossible to know for sure who the actual target was, and whether this attack is only the beginning… (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published)
Guarding Truth by Kelly Underwood — The one thing that Former Army Ranger turned elite bodyguard Juliette Montgomery regrets is never telling fellow solider Caleb Styles her true feelings. But how could she? They were co-workers, and then the guy went and saved her life. And that turned out to be the one thing that cost them their relationship. So Juliette has moved on, trying to forget Caleb—and her feelings. Caleb hasn’t forgotten her either. But he has no idea she now lives in Savannah, Georgia…especially since his life is full as guardian of his niece, Ivy, after her parents were killed.… (Romantic Suspense from Sunrise Publishing)
Unexpected Witness by Penny Zeller — Nurse Mila Casey did not expect to witness a murder in the clinic’s parking lot. Nor did she imagine seeking protection from the at-large killer would land her on a secluded ranch owned by handsome, but standoffish, Roarke Brenneman. Mila finds herself in the center of ever-growing danger as the police are unable to locate the suspect. When the protection of the ranch is compromised and Mila’s location is discovered, can she, with Roarke’s aid, stay one step ahead of a crazed murderer who intends to silence her… (Romantic Suspense from Maplebrook Publishing)
The Castle Rose by Tabitha Caplinger — Bastian Roux lived and died a hundred years ago. Kind of. He certainly feels like nothing more than a ghost as he haunts the abandoned Castle Rose Theatre, his only solace found in the notes of his piano. That is until Odette arrives. (Speculative Urban Fantasy from Blue Ink Press)
Into the Sunset by Mary Connealy — To finally escape the clutches of her controlling husband and the threat of being recommitted to an asylum, Ginny Rutledge enlists the help of her friends, Maeve O’Toole and Dakota Harlan. Fleeing their own tumultuous pasts, the group embarks on a journey to prove Ginny’s sanity. However, as they confront the shadows they wish they could forget, danger looms from unexpected places. (Western from Bethany House)
Plus check out these recent additions to Fiction Finder published within the past month:
Sundancer’s Joy by Elsie Davis — Where hope and healing unite… (Contemporary Romance)
A Codebreaker’s Christmas Surprise by Anne Greene — A secret kept by the US Government for 80 years finally revealed. (Historical Romance)
Fellowship of the Frazzled Moms by Stephanie Paige King — One mom’s simple act of crossing the cul-de-sac ignites a movement for an entire community of women. (General Contemporary)
In Pursuit of the Truth by Melanie D. Snitker — When the situation escalates to danger, it’s up to Nate to keep them safe. (Romantic Suspense)
The Reluctant Pioneer by Julie McDonald Zander — In 1847, with her husband and four young sons, a pregnant mother crosses the Oregon Trail, a two-thousand-mile journey to the Pacific Northwest. When tragedy strikes, she must find the strength to continue. (Western)
