Friday, October 6, 2023

Fiction Friday: New Releases for October

October 2023 New Releases

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

Children’s:

Road Trip Rescue by Becca Wierwille -- Twelve-year-old Kimmy trusts dogs more than people. After all, her dog Bo never made fun of her for having one hand. But two years ago, Bo disappeared. When Kimmy stumbles across a magazine photo of a dog in upstate New York that looks just like Bo, she knows she has to find him. Her parents seem oddly unsupportive, but pink-haired, adventure-hungry Aunt Skylar agrees to a road trip with a stop in the Adirondacks. Kimmy jumps at the chance to bring her furry family member home. Unfortunately, Aunt Skylar’s idea of a road trip isn’t the rescue mission Kimmy had in mind. (Children’s/Middle Grade/Chapter Books from Beloved Chronicles LLC)

Contemporary Romance:

A Deeper Love by Heidi Gray McGill -- What was that movie line about relationships built on intense experiences? Oh, yeah. They never work. I get paid to do my dream job, usually by wealthy men who thrive on adventure. But when their adrenaline rush is gone and vacation is over, I’m still here, on a tropical island, with people who mostly leave me alone. And I like it that way. Except for this guy. Seriously, Dan is the last man I want to get involved with. If he got Decompression Illness, the doctors would likely call it Mercedes Bends. He’s privileged and entitled and would never leave his city life behind for the challenges of living on a remote island. Which is a total relief, I’m telling you. Don’t get me wrong—he’s prime shark bait, but I’m not ready to fall deeply in love with someone who won’t stay. There’s no such thing as going “too deep” where spiritual things are concerned. But I’ll stay at the surface and snorkel rather than dive into the depths when it comes to relationships. (Contemporary Romance from Celebrate Lit Publishing)

A Horseman’s Mission by Sandra Ardoin -- Macie Newman believes time and tranquility—not a psychologist—will heal her traumatized son, Alex. After she moves them to the small town of Hidden Veil, she discovers the noble but disturbing plans that her new boss, Lane Becker, has for his ranch. Fearing for her son’s safety as he becomes attached to the horseman, Macie chooses to leave before Lane’s interference endangers Alex’s physical and emotional health. But she hadn’t counted on how hard that would be on her son . . . or her heart. As an equine therapy center, Lane’s property will aid veterans suffering from PTSD and honor his brother’s death in Afghanistan, hopefully, lessening Lane’s guilt. When he finds a feisty but troubled widow occupying the space he needs for the center, Lane wants to move her out. But after witnessing her son’s frightening anxiety attack, he’s convinced the Newmans are where they need to be, as long as he can control his pull toward Macie. He can’t allow himself to be distracted by a love he doesn’t deserve. How can Lane help the boy and his mother conquer their fears without jeopardizing a second person’s life? (Contemporary Romance from Corner Room Books)

Fields of Glass by Alyssa Schwartz -- Micah Prescott will do anything to save his family's sheep ranch, even if it kills him. With a city-based firm pressuring him to sell and the bank threatening to call in his loan, he has less than a month to figure out a solution to keep the property his father strove so hard to protect. But when a storm rolls in, washing out the only bridge to town and bringing with it an unwanted visitor, he finds his options quickly dwindling. Sales associate Francis Grace Riley will do anything to prove that she belongs. Convinced she can secure a deal where others had only failed, she takes to the mountains in search of one stubborn rancher, only to realize there is much more riding on the outcome of this trip than her job. From the moment Micah rescues Grace on the side of the road, sparks fly—that is until he learns who she really is. Stuck together until the bridge is repaired, the two of them must learn to work as a team if they have any hopes of achieving their goals. But when things start to go wrong on the ranch, and sheep begin to disappear, they're left questioning who they can trust ... ... and what they're willing to sacrifice for those they care for. . (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

Mama Dated Santa by Amy R. Anguish -- Trudy McNamara doesn’t do Christmas anymore. But she will do anything for her nephew Mark, even take him to visit Santa. After Dad died and the holiday bucket lists stopped, December hasn’t been the same. But Trudy finds herself tangled up with the toy store Santa and Christmas when she discovers her mom … dated Santa. Nick Russo, manager of Russos’ Toy Emporium, is at a loss as to how to save his family’s store. When Uncle Paul, the Santa and part-owner, hires Trudy to revamp their store, Nick’s life turns upside down. He’s been so focused on the numbers, the Christmas season has become nothing more than one last drive for sales. But Trudy makes him re-evaluate his attitude as well as want to help hers. (Contemporary Romance from Scrivening’s Press)


Their Holiday Secret
by Betsy St Amant -- Can their pretend relationship turn into a true Christmas gift? Preston Green will do anything for a fake girlfriend—even bid on one at a charity auction. Sweet and quirky baker Lulu Boyd is the perfect choice to stop his mother’s constant matchmaking. And it’s just for one holiday family dinner—until his father’s failing health makes ending their ruse impossible. Soon it feels all too real…but another secret might make this their last Christmas together. (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired/Harlequin)

General Contemporary:

Secret Mercy by Lynn Waite Chapman -- Talk to Liberty Cassell and you will hear her extoll all the advantages of living in her hometown of Twin Fawn. Little traffic. Easy parking. Comfortable lifestyle with no pressure to advance in the world. Residents don’t mind taking time off work to sit with a cup of coffee while watching a passing rainstorm. There is a sense of community in a small town. Neighbors look out for one another. They make allowances for even those of advanced age or questionable mental states. However, in this little town, when Harley Ottenweller failed to show up for dinner one day, most residents failed to notice. Those who did take note seemed grateful not to meet up with him on the street. His wife Willow and son Johnnie went on with life. No questions. No search. No missing person report was filed. She assured everyone she was perfectly content to raise her son on her own. Does the tiny woman with wispy white hair and wild imagination know more about her husband’s disappearance than she’s telling? What secrets are hidden in the old mansion of a house she guards so well? (General Contemporary from Winged Publications)

General Historical:

Appalachian Song by Michelle Shocklee -- Bertie Jenkins has spent forty years serving as a midwife for her community in the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee. Out of all the mothers she’s tended, none affects her more than the young teenager who shows up on her doorstep, injured, afraid, and expecting, one warm June day in 1943. As Bertie and her four sisters tenderly nurture Songbird back to health, the bond between the childless midwife and the motherless teen grows strong. But soon Songbird is forced to make a heartbreaking decision that will tear this little family apart. Thirty years later, the day after his father’s funeral, Walker Wylie is stunned to learn he was adopted as an infant. The famous country singer enlists the help of adoption advocate Reese Chandler in the hopes of learning why he was abandoned by his birth parents. With the only clue he has in hand, Walker and Reese head deep into the Appalachian Mountains to track down Bertie Jenkins, the midwife who holds the secrets to Walker’s past. (General Historical from Tyndale House)

Historical Romance:

Abounding Hope by Cindy Kay Stewart -- The Nazis are threatening Poland, but American teacher Irena Simmons refuses to flee to safety. She’s dedicated her life to serving in her church and school, and she’s watching over the little German boys she whisked to safety the year before. When Jonathan, her former classmate, surprises her in Lvov and insists she leave with him before the war starts, Irena balks. Nothing will interfere with her work—especially a man making demands. American shipping magnate Jonathan Huntwell had a crush on Irena in school. When their former classmates select him to travel to Poland and escort her out before it’s too late, he doesn’t expect the inner turmoil she ignites in him. Although honor-bound to aid any friend in trouble, Jonathan acknowledges that Irena is more than an obligation to him. However, he must keep his feelings hidden, or he’ll jeopardize their friendship. Irena soon discovers that the Gestapo agent she successfully evaded in Germany has found her in Poland, and he’s after her young charges. When the Germans invade, Jonathan is in Denmark on business, too far away to help. As the rising danger threatens everything Irena holds dear, she must find a way to protect those she loves.. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)

Against the Wind by Amanda Cabot -- Two ambitious strangers have their futures all mapped out … but are they the right ones? Doctor-in-training Louisa Vaughn is just supposed to be in Sweetwater Crossing for only a few days to help a friend. She never expected to be swept up in a mystery secret that could threaten her career and her heart. But she can’t abandon the injured man she finds at the side of the road. Until he heals, she’ll stay, serving as the town’s doctor and midwife. Josh Porter’s plans to gain full control of the family business hit a roadblock when he breaks his leg. But his enforced stay in Sweetwater Crossing gives him new ideas about the expansion of the company into new territory—ideas Louisa could help turn into reality. If only the town were more accepting of Louisa’s talents! Someone is determined to convince her to abandon her dream. Can Josh help her uncover the person behind the threats before it’s too late? And is there any future for them together when neither of them plans to stay? (Historical Romance from Revell)

Angelina’s Resolve by Cindy Ervin Huff -- Proving her skills are equal to a man’s may cost her more than she ever imagined. Modern-thinking Angelina DuBois is determined to prove her cousin Hiram wrong. He fired her from the architect firm she helped grow when her father’s will left the business to Hiram. Using her large inheritance and architectural degree, she sets out to create a village run by women—Resolve, Kansas. Carpenter and Civil War veteran Edward Pritchard’s dream of building homes for Chicago’s elite must be put on hold until he gains references. Serving as a contractor under Angelina’s well-known DuBois name provides that opportunity. But can Angelina trust her handsome new carpenter to respect her as his boss? Will the project take Edward one step closer to his goals, or will it make him a laughingstock? Can these two strong-willed people find love amid such an unconventional experiment? (Historical Romance from Iron Stream Media)

Chiseled on the Heart by Kelly Goshorn, et. al. -- Four generations carve out a journey of faith. The Gift of a Lamb by Elaine Cooper; A Lasting Legacy by Cynthia Roemer; Healing within the Pieces by Candace West; The Christmas Carving by Kelly Goshorn (Historical Romance from Revell)

Romance-Novella:

A Christmas Romance by Annette M. Irby -- Bookshop owner Peyton McKinley lives on Bainbridge Island, Washington. An inspired reader, she writes wholesome romance novels, dreaming of publication. Unfortunately, a past breakup has soured her on relationships. When a literary agent wants to see her manuscript as soon as she can finish it, writer’s block stalls her progress. Best-selling picture book author and illustrator Eli Jaxon has relocated to Puget Sound to be nearer to his family. He’s on deadline for his next Prescott the Proper Peacock volume, but worry for his niece distracts him. Past mistakes keep him closed off to dating. When Peyton needs help with her story, previously married Eli volunteers to help her brainstorm. Can they deny their attraction, or will they live their own Christmas romance? (Romance Novella from Prism Effect Publishing)

Thriller/Suspense/Military:

Havoc by Ronie Kendig -- Former Special Forces operator Sergeant Crew Gatlin takes everything in stride, even the career-ending incident that separated him from the Army, half a leg, and his beloved working dog, Havoc K027. Putting his life back together and lying low, he takes a job with A Breed Apart and is unexpectedly reunited with Havoc. It’s too good to be true—and the proof is in their first assignment: to work as a K-9 team for a television drama in Los Angeles. Miffed at being relegated to TV fodder, he’s willing to pay the price when he sees the stuntwoman. Being a stunt double allows Vienna Foxcroft to fulfill her acting dream—with a side of MMA—and stay out of the limelight. The same one that plagued her childhood and put her through a nightmare scenario. Now, her tight-knit stunt team are the only ones she trusts. Then in walks Mr. Mountain-of-Muscle and his tough-as-nails dog, and Vienna has a bad feeling her life is about to turn upside down. Ticked as they head overseas for a location shoot in Turkey, Crew guts it up—after all, he has Havoc again. Okay, and yeah—Vienna is going, too. When an attack sends the cast fleeing into the streets of Turkey, Vienna must face the demons of her past or be devoured by them. And Crew and Havoc are tested like never before. (Thriller/Suspense/Military from Sunrise Publishing)

Thriller/Suspense/Romantic:

Crime Scene Conspiracy by Jessica R. Patch -- Too many mysterious deaths. Not enough clues. A string of staged deaths forces Texas Ranger Emily O’Connell on a covert mission to investigate a governor’s connection to the deceased women. She doesn’t trust anyone—including crime scene cleaner Stone Spencer. But when Emily’s questioning makes her the serial killer’s next target, she must turn to ex-ranger Stone for help. With threats at every turn, outrunning a merciless villain could be the last thing they do. (Thriller/Suspense/Romantic from Loved Inspired Suspense/Harlequin)

Christmas in the Crosshairs by Kate Angelo, et. al. -- Christmas is about to get dangerous! Get ready for three brand new Elite Guardians romantic suspense stories from Sunrise Publishing in this exciting anthology. (Thriller/Suspense/Romantic from Sunrise Publishing)

Grave Secrets by Elle E. Kay -- In the bustling city of Philadelphia, a mystery begins to unfold that will lead to the tranquil beauty of Ricketts Glen State Park. Gavin, a seasoned bodyguard, visits his sister Cate at her university, only to find her entangled in a scandal that's more than meets the eye. The anonymous threats she's been receiving seem to be linked to a secret society that stretches far beyond the city limits. In the heart of Ricketts Glen, Park Ranger Samantha is grappling with an unsolved cold case that has haunted her family and the town for years. The disappearance of a prominent businessman in the park has left a deep wound in her family and a mystery that seems impossible to solve. As Gavin delves into the threats against Cate, he uncovers a connection to the cold case in Ricketts Glen. Drawn into the mystery, he finds himself teaming up with Samantha, their paths converging in a quest for truth. Meanwhile, Gavin's brother Grayson steps in to protect Cate back in Philadelphia, but the threats escalate, leading them both to the heart of the mystery in Benton, PA. As the threads of the investigation intertwine, Gavin, Samantha, Cate, and Grayson find themselves in a deadly showdown with a secretive society that will stop at nothing to protect its secrets. In the face of danger, alliances will be tested, bonds will be formed, and the serene beauty of Ricketts Glen State Park will become a battleground for truth and justice. (Thriller/Suspense/Romantic, Independently Published)

Running to You by Robin Patchen -- Sam never understood why Eliza left him five years ago, ghosting him without explanation. He’s avoided romance ever since, focusing on building his business. Money might not keep him warm at night, but it can sure buy a lot of blankets. Then Eliza shows up on his doorstep and throws herself into his arms. She can’t explain her bruises or the head injury that’s left her with no memories of the past five years, including their breakup. No matter how good it feels to hold her, though, there’s no way he’s getting sucked into romance again. He’ll deliver Eliza to her mother, and that will be that. But instead of finding her mom, they’re met by two attackers and barely escape alive. Despite the danger to his life and his heart, he can’t leave Eliza to fend for herself. Together, they embark on a journey to reconstruct her past while evading the men chasing her. As Sam and Eliza close in on the truth, their romance reignites, but her secret threatens to destroy them both. (Thriller/Suspense/Romantic, Independently Published)

Shadows at Dusk by Elizabeth Goddard -- Montana Detective Trevor West is desperate to learn what happened to his sister, who went missing in Alaska over a year ago, leaving nothing but a few photographs as clues to her whereabouts. At the advice of Police Chief Autumn Long, Trevor enlists the help of an experienced bush pilot. If Carrie James can't help him find the places in the photographs, no one can. But Carrie has her own agenda. Grieving the death of her closest friend and the only person she could trust, Carrie will help Trevor find his sister on one condition--that he help her track down her friend's killer. As the two close in on the answers they crave, they'll face dangers and connections they could not have imagined. They'll have to learn to trust one another--and face the dark secrets of the past--if they are ever to discover the truth and bring a killer to justice. (Thriller/Suspense/Romantic from Revell)

Skye Fall by Paige Edwards -- Isla Montjoy has it all, a new career in nursing and a police officer boyfriend she adores--until she stumbles across proof of her boyfriend's corruption. Determined to protect his secrets, he attacks her and leaves her for dad. But against all odds, she lives. On the run for two years, Isla's life is far from assured as her would-be murderer doggedly tracks her across the UK, intent on silencing her forever. One a climbing trip in the Scottish Highlands, Ben Pressley-Coombes encounters Isla, a beautiful woman who promptly pepper sprays him without warning or reason. After that rough start, Ben hopes never to lay eyes on her again--but fate has other ideas. Forced into an uneasy association that transforms into a deep-seated romance, the pair soon faces a deadly threat: Isla's relentless pursuer has discovered her hiding place. If she is to survive, she and Ben must outmaneuver the dirty cop and his treacherous plot to snare her. (Thriller/Suspense/Romantic from Covenant Communications)

Snowbound Escape by Dana Mentink -- To rescue a witness…this K-9 team must face a killer and a storm. After months tracking a colleague falsely accused of a double homicide, officer Tanner Ford and his K-9 partner finally locate crime tech Mara Gilmore—but the real murderer is closing in. Now they must run into a frozen wilderness to survive. Evading the killer is the only way for Mara to clear her name. But will the harsh winter conditions cover their tracks…or bury them forever? (Thriller/Suspense/Romantic from Love Inspired Suspense/Harlequin)

Western:

Another Christmas Story by Susan Page Davis -- Beryl’s father is badly injured, and the wagon train leaves her and her little brother behind and at the trading post. They are at the mercy of the trading post manager, his wife, and their adult son, James. Winter is cruel and fraught with danger, especially when new supplies are needed and the trader must leave for several months. Grieving after her father's death, Beryl sees that James loves her young brother. Soon she comes to care for James too. Young Sam loves Dickens's A Christmas Carol, but he begins to imagine another Christmas story. Come spring, Beryl will have to decide whether she and Sam will continue on to Oregon or go back East. (Western from Tea Tin Press)

Young Adult:

Royal & Ancient by Amanda Lauer -- Bronwyn Campbell's end-of-summer plans were simple: wrap up her job at Saint Andrew’s Country Club, meet her friends one last time at the virtual reality arcade, and move across the country—again—with her father. But when lightning strikes while she's working the club's Saint Andrew’s Heritage Day, she's transported from an American fairway to the home of golf, The Links at Saint Andrews, in Scotland—and in the year 1691, no less. When Iain MacDonald discovers Bronwyn knocked out cold on the seventeenth green, little does he know their meeting will change not only the course of their lives but the course of history. The son of the chieftain of Clan MacDonald, Iain bears the weight of responsibility for his family and his clan's survival on his shoulders. Family drama and the growing discord over religion in Scotland add to the heavy load he carries daily while stepping further into his role as future chieftain. As political events between England and Scotland heighten the conflict surrounding the MacDonald lands, Bronwyn and Iain rely upon their shared faith and growing feelings toward each other for survival. Amid the questions that plague both of them, though, one stands out: How can you be with the one you love if your choice ultimately influences history? (Young Adult from Chrism Press/WhiteFire Publishing)

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

 
 
April’s PromiseTerrie Todd, As a world war wages across the globe, the Kimball family faces a different kind of conflict at home. Will their personal battles drag them down and tear their family apart? (General Historical)

 
 
Center PointNancy J. Farrier, Will they find a solution before the worst happens? (Contemporary Romance)

 
 
Heart RestorationRegina Rudd Merrick, Ah, the difference a trip to a dingy basement makes. (Thriller/Suspense/Romantic)

 
 
Speaking Through the Silence Linda Sammaritan , Will Debbie continue to keep quiet under the Mean Queen’s snarky abuse, or will she screw up the courage to speak through her self-imposed silence? (Young Adult)

 
 
Tipsy in LoveAnne Greene, A hilarious tale of love almost lost. (Contemporary Romance)

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