ACFW FEBRUARY 2015 NEW RELEASES

February 2015 New Releases 

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

  Amish Romance: 

 

Keys of Heaven: A Healing Grace Novel by Adina Senft -- Apprentice Dokterfraa Sarah Yoder grows herbs for her tinctures and tries to ignore her matchmaking relatives, but she can't ignore her budding friendship with her neighbor, Henry Byler. Henry has to resist her attraction when his pottery investors decide to market him as Amish-he has never joined the church and doesn't plan to. When Sarah and Henry are called upon to help a runaway, Sarah oversteps her bounds and finds that God knows best how to heal the heart. (Amish Romance from Faith Words [Hachette]) 

  Biblical Fiction: 

  The Crimson Cord, Rahab's Story by Jill Eileen Smith -- Rahab's gambling husband sells her into prostitution. Then spies infiltrate Jericho and she ends up in league with them. She offers her body for a debt she does not owe-what price will redeem her soul? (Biblical Fiction from Revell - A Division of Baker Publishing Group) 

  Contemporary Romance: 

Winning Over the Heiress (Heartsong Presents) by Narelle Atkins -- Can Sean Mitchell be redeemed? His new boss, Julia Radcliffe, isn't so sure. After walking out on her a year ago, the bad boy with the surfer good looks is back in her life and determined to keep it that way. It took time and faith, but Sean is finally on the right path. When his past threatens his and Julia's future, can he convince her that love can overcome every mistake? (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin]) 

  Secretly Yours: A Riverbend Romance Novella by Valerie Comer -- Chef Lindsey Solberg agrees to cater the church's Valentine's Day fundraising banquet as a favor to her teen sister, but she's shocked to discover the bad boy from her high school days is now Riverbend's youth pastor. Seriously? How could he have changed that much? Nick Harrison has prayed for years for an opportunity to make amends. Now Lindsey's back in Riverbend and won't give him the time of day. What's a guy to do except leave a trail of gifts from a secret admirer? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published) 

How to Catch a Prince by Rachel Hauck -- American heiress Corina Del Rey reignites her career in journalism after a long fog of grief, but her past with war veteran and star rugby player Prince Stephen of Brighton catches up to her. With a little help from heaven and his brother, King Nathaniel II, can they overcome the tragedy of war, move forward, and find love again? (Contemporary Romance from HarperCollins Christian Publishing [Thomas Nelson and Zondervan]) 

  Contemporary Women's Fiction: 

 

The Vigil by Marian P. Merritt -- In Bijou Bayou fleeing an abusive boyfriend, Cheryl Broussard finds work as a Hospice nurse. While reading a dying patient's Korean War love letters, family secrets shatter Cheryl's beliefs about herself and shed light on the reason she first fled her hometown. Can Cheryl deal with the truth and accept a second chance with her family, old friends, and the God she never really knew? (Contemporary Women's Fiction from Harbourlight Books [Pelican]) 

  Where Rivers Part by Kellie Coates Gilbert -- Following in her estranged father's footsteps, Dr. Juliet Ryan is climbing the ladder of success providing safe drinking water for millions, when disaster strikes and she learns this kind of achievement often comes with a very high price. (Contemporary Women's Fiction from Revell - A Division of Baker Publishing Group) 

  


Historical Romance: 

The Homestead Brides Collection by Mary Connealy, Darlene Franklin, Carla Olson Gade, Ruth Logan Herne, Pam Hillman, DiAnn Mills, Erica Vetsch, Becca Whitham, and Kathleen Y'Barbo -- Through nine historical romance adventures, readers will journey along with individuals who are ready to stake a claim and plant their dreams on a piece of the great American plains. While fighting land disputes, helping neighbors, and tackling the challenges of nature, the homesteaders are placed in the path of other dreamers with whom romance sparks. And God has His hand in orchestrating each unique meeting. (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)

  Brandywine Brides by Amber Stockton -- A family of bookstore owners has their faith restored and love multiplied in beautiful historical Delaware. Caroline manages a bookstore while her parents would prefer she marry. Grace seeks a missing heirloom book with the help of a questionable young man. Lillian reopens the bookstore in her brother's memory. Will each woman's literature inspired dreams lead her to a man of faith and devotion? (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing) The 

Last Heiress by Mary Ellis -- When the heiress to England's largest textile mills travels to Wilmington to restore cotton shipments during the American Civil War, class distinction, political loyalties, and family feuds guarantee trouble for her new romance. (Historical Romance from Harvest House Publishers) 

  Romantic Suspense: 

  Fugitive Trackdown by Sandra Robbins -- A shy Southern librarian and a bounty hunter join forces to track down her father's killer. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin]) 

  Sabotaged by Dani Pettrey -- Growing up, goody-two-shoes Kirra Jacobs and troublemaker Reef McKenna were always at odds. Now, working together as search-and-rescue for Alaska's Iditarod race, a growing attraction forces aside old arguments. When a girl is kidnapped, Kirra and Reef are thrown into a race to stop a shadowy villain who also threatens to unleash one of the largest disasters Alaska has ever seen. (Romantic Suspense from Bethany House [Baker] Publishing) 

  Speculative: 

 

Found and Lost (Haven Seekers #2) by Amanda G. Stevens -- Violet DuBay has an opportunity to infiltrate the Christian resistance, but what she learns dents her resolve to turn them in to the Constabulary. (Speculative Fiction from David C. Cook)

A PIECE OF ART

Title: Pieces of Granite (Coming Home, Prequel) (Coming Home Series)

Author: Brenda S Anderson

Publisher: Vivant Press; 1 edition (December 5, 2014)

Pages: 356

When I was given the opportunity to read PIECES OF GRANITE by BRENDA S ANDERSON, I didn't hesitate. I loved her book CHAIN OF MERCY, and I do mean LOVED it. To be honest, once I realized it was going back in time, the excitement diminished a bit. I loved Ricky in CHAIN OF MERCY, yet I had read his story, and knew of his sister Debbie and her family. How would it be to hear about them after already experiencing their lives?

Debbie and Jerry Verhoeven are expecting their second child. One would think they would be overjoyed. Though Debbie may be, Jerry is not. Not only is he not happy about their new child, he is having serious issues knowing she will not be perfect.

I was not prepared to enjoy PIECES OF GRANITE as much as I did, knowing it was going back in time. I loved getting to see another part of Ricky. I was equally intrigued by Debbie and Jerry's neighbor, Lee. I'm secretly hoping there will be a story about him. I was totally engaged in Debbie and Jerry's life.

I cannot adequately express how amazing MS ANDERSON'S writing is. It is near flawless. What I find intriguing is how realistic her stories are. It sounds so basic, yet I never realized how difficult a task it must be to accomplish, because I cannot recall any other author that has written so accurately to every day life, and at the same time keep the story as equally engaging. The honesty and realism is off the charts. I often found myself shaking my head thinking wow; I have felt that or lived that. While reading PIECES OF GRANITE it came to mind that every parent needs to read this book.

Not only was I wrong about it being awkward to read about Ricky after having read his story in CHAIN OF MERCY, I am tempted to reread it, having fallen in love with him all over again in PIECES OF GRANITE.

ALWAYS READY FOR A NEW BRENDA MINTON BOOK

Title: A Rancher for Christmas

Author: Brenda Minton

Publisher: Love Inspired (November 18, 2014)

Pages: 224

Yes, A RANCHER FOR CHRISTMAS is what I’ve always dreamed of. And as usual, BRENDA MINTON delivers another amazing novel.

I was intrigued by Breezy Hernandez in THE COWBOY LAWMAN (Cooper Creek Book 5) by BRENDA MINTON, so naturally I was excited when I discovered there’d be a story about the main characters sister, Breezy.  

Breezy Hernandez has issues, thought she is not the only one. It may be her upbringing to not stick around, but it is not her desire. Deep down she wants nothing more than to find a place she can call home…forever.

Jake Martin is a little more than uneasy about the situation he’s tossed into by his best friend and sisters will. Breezy has a past. One he knows about through a private investigator. One that puts his own insecurities on his sleeves.

Not quite a marriage of convenience, but still tossed together in an unlikely way, MS MINTON has created a typical Love Inspired story, yet not so typical. As always the case with MS MINTON, her plot will draw you in, and the characters will win your heart. Aside from being an amazing storyteller, the unique lines she comes up with are refreshing, delightful, and as a writer, inspiring.

As always is the case with BRENDA MINTON's books, no sooner do I read the last word, I am looking forward to the next book.