Friday, August 8, 2025

Fiction Friday: New Releases in Christian Fiction

August 2025 New Releases

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

Children’s Middle Grade:
Jack and the Red Giant by Amanda Cleary Eastep -- Snowball wars are being waged against the Tree Street Kids, and Jack Finch is building his greatest invention yet--the Abominable Snowman-ator. But his biggest battle will be against his distrust of Buzz Rublatz, the neighborhood bully. (Children’s Middle Grade from Moody Publishers) 
  
Children’s Picture Book:

Otto and Ollie by Penny Frost McGinnis and Hannah L Wickline -- Otto and Ollie are best buddies. They live next door to each other and spend their days playing and pretending what they’ll be someday. When they have a disagreement, they discover it’s not what they’ll be, but who they’ll be that counts. (Children’s Picture Book from Mt. Zion Ridge Press)

 
Contemporary:

What the River Keeps by Cheryl Grey Bostrom -- In the beautiful Pacific Northwest, a young woman’s discovery of her hidden past illuminates her present in this new novel from the award-winning author of Sugar Birds, “an engrossing tale” (Kirkus Reviews), and Leaning on Air, “an exquisitely nuanced love story” (BookTrib). (Contemporary General from Tyndale House)

 
Contemporary Romance:

A Montana-Sized Secret by Allie Pleiter -- Returning to High Mountain pregnant is not the fresh start Carly Davis imagined—nor is telling Jack Peters he’s the father. And with Jack in the early stages of addiction recovery, she questions if he can handle being a parent. But Jack is determined to show that he’s changed, and a chance to prove himself arises when they must care for a litter of rescued baby bunnies. Trust slowly builds between them again, but as unexpected news threatens their fragile bond, can they overcome the uncertainties to be the family they both need? (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Meant For Me by Betsy St Amant -- He was her best friend. Still is. But when her beloved beignet shop burns down, he’ll have to be more if she hopes to start over. But will friendship survive the dangers of a marriage of convenience? (Contemporary Romance from Sunrise Publishing) 

  A Matter of Trust by Rena Bell Yeager -- Rachel Wilson is a divorcee who has devoted her life to her daughter and her career. But when her employer is shut down by the FBI for fraud, she is encouraged by her daughter to take a long-overdue vacation to Texas. Randall Hudson is a widowed resort ranch owner and corporate tycoon, as at home in his blue denim shirts as he is in the boardroom. When he meets Rachel, he is smitten. But when he begins manipulating things in her life to make her want to stay in Texas, her mistrust of men grows. When Rachel's ex shows up demanding money, she has no choice but to turn to Randall for help. But can she trust him? Will they find a way to overcome their obstacles and forge a new path together? (Contemporary Romance from Pixley Knob Press)

 
Historical Romance:

A Lady Divided by Sandra Ardoin -- A bitter and unconventional southern widow joins forces with a former enemy to battle accusations of murder . . . twelve years after taking lives in the War Between the States. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)

The Undercover Heiress of Brockton by Kelly J. Goshorn -- Henrietta “Etta” Maxwell, heiress to the Maxwell fortune, is a hard-hitting investigative reporter for The Enterprise Daily. The catch? Etta must pen her columns under the nom de plume, Henry Mason—a fact that routinely puts a knot in her knickerbockers. Leo Eriksson is a second-generation firefighter with a passion for rendering aid to those in need. When Leo discovers that Henry Mason is really Henrietta Maxwell, the fire department’s wealthy benefactress, he agrees to keep her identity secret. After a sudden blast rocks the Grover Shoe Factory, Leo and Etta team up to determine if the explosion is related to a series of suspicious fires in the area. When an unnamed source reveals Etta’s secret identity to a rival reporter, she falsely accuses Leo of being the informant. As the truth comes to light, Etta must persuade Leo to give her a second chance or lose the only man she’s ever loved. (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)

 
Crime Suspense:

Martha’s Veil by Urcelia Teixeira -- In the fog-shrouded coastal town of Weyport, head baker Martha Porter lives a life of quiet control—perfect cakes, polite smiles, and a heart safely tucked behind emotional walls. But when a charming man begins messaging her through an online Christian forum, Martha dares to hope again… until she vanishes on the very night she agrees to meet him. The missing-person case falls to Sheriff Angus Reid, whose investigation takes a dark turn when another woman’s body washes ashore—another victim who’d been speaking to a mysterious online suitor. As Angus uncovers a chilling network of digital manipulation, stolen identities, and religious deceit, the race to find Martha becomes more urgent. Can Angus unmask the predator before Martha becomes his next victim? Or will the fog that shrouds Weyport's coast hide another tragedy forever? (Crime Suspense, Independently Published)

 
Romantic Suspense:

Gazing into Darkness by Heidi Glick -- Instead of moving closer to his girlfriend, Chance McPherson gets dumped and relocated to Cincinnati—farther from his dreams and closer to his shameful past. Stacey Sanderson is excited to finally secure a role in law enforcement, like the rest of her family, especially as an EPA CID agent, where she can protect God’s creation. On the job, Stacey’s perfectionism and faith rub Chance the wrong way, while his antics and wisecracks irritate Stacey. When federal employees who worked an old case with Stacey start dying, Chance becomes concerned, and not just because Stacey is his partner. Can Chance and Stacey stop the person who is out to kill her before it’s too late? (Romantic Suspense from Scrivenings Press) 



Danger in the Wilderness by Darlene L Turner -- Park warden Dekker Hoyt’s father-son camping trip turns into a nightmare when a serial killer abducts his father. With just seventy-two hours to find him, Dekker turns to criminal investigative analyst Blaire Tremblay to identify the Park Campfire Killer. As they follow his taunting clues and face increasingly violent threats, Dekker and Blaire know that one wrong step could be fatal. With the ruthless criminal following their every move, can they stop a killer in hiding…waiting to complete his deadly plan? (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Protecting the Texas Witness by Virginia Vaughan -- Deputy Drake Shaw rescues single mom Isabelle Morris from an assailant's attack, only to be mistaken for her late husband. After exposing the corruption at her health-care company, Isabelle fears danger has followed her and her daughter all the way to their remote cabin. Now Drake must keep them safe long enough for Isabelle to testify against her former boss. But when her child is taken, the stakes are raised. Can they survive to unravel the truth about the present…and the past? (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

 
Speculative Fiction/Fantasy:

Dawn of the Elding by Demi Griffin -- The new Age unfolds with the sight of crumbling foundations in Everlasting, echoing with the deafening sounds of conflict and upheaval. The air thickens with the smell of tension and fear as history is misunderstood and old grudges resurface, disintegrating the bond holding the Realms together. Only the Realm Keeper possesses the power to unite them once more and bring back harmony to Everlasting. However, he cannot accomplish this task single-handedly. His alliance with the Timebender grants them both access to the only weapon that can combat death. Restoring balance, ending the perpetual chill, and returning the Elding to Everlasting all depend on each fulfilling their destinies. (Speculative Fiction/Fantasy, Independently Published) 

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

Chasing Time by Pamela G Baker -- After embracing life in the 21st century, Lydia is catapulted to the 1870s of her youth to prevent unscrupulous scientists from disrupting the timeline—again. (Speculative Fiction/Time Travel) 

On the Brink by Michael E Cafferky -- A life-threatening illness leads corporate executive Gabriel Oliver to an epiphany about his faith; he adjusts the priorities of his life, but the change he makes increases his vulnerability by endangering his career and upsetting his relationship with his wife Sandra (Contemporary General) 

Morning on the Mesa by Jenny Fulton -- Navajo princess sisters Lillian and Zoe learn about God and Creation while herding sheep on their family's mesa. (Children’s Picture Book) 

Take The Sea by Jenny Powell -- Follow modern-day Hope Gerard & 18th-century Anglican priest John Wesley as they battle their fears through their faith. (Contemporary General) 

Forged by Fire by Melanie D Snitker -- Firefighter Leslie Granger and Police Officer Clint Baker stumble upon a motive that will test their courage and force them to confront not only the danger, but also the unexpected attraction growing between them (Romantic Suspense) 

BondKeeper by Colleen K Snyder -- Canna and Gentry are running for their lives from dragon hunters, slave traders, renegade dragons, and the Widow Swansworth who wants Gentry as a bride for her son Brody. Can Gentry learn to trust the Master? Or will she go her own way, and lose the best friend she’ll ever have? (Young Adult) 

What Brings Us Joy by Teresa Wells -- Though Clarence Parker doesn’t regret testifying against the outlaws in his former gang, he fears his future with Delia Truitt is in jeopardy. Clarence will protect her from the killers, even if it means risking their future together. Can Clarence keep her safe? And will Delia love him after she finds out about his past? (Historical Romance)

Thursday, August 7, 2025

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Jennifer Wright

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Jennifer Wright

I love discovering new-to-me authors, don't you? Jennifer writes wonderful historical fiction. Listen in...

1. When did you know you wanted to become an author?

I’ve always known I wanted to do something involving writing. From a very early age, I was drawn to words and stories, but I actually grew up wanting to become a journalist. I was always a very curious—some might even call it “nosy”—child, and journalism seemed a perfect fit to feed that hunger. I even went as far as to get my master’s degree in journalism before deciding I hated being a reporter and switched to fiction writing instead.

2. What is your favorite thing about being a writer?

It’s hard to narrow it down to just one thing so I’ll have to give you two! Firstly, I love the research that comes along with writing, discovering forgotten tidbits of history and immersing yourself in the past. Secondly, I love engaging with readers who connect to the stories that I write in a deep and meaningful way. Many of these readers have become special, life-long friends.

3. How did you learn to write?

I believe writing is a skill best learned by doing, and that’s what I did. I just started writing. Short stories, long stories, newspaper articles, magazine articles—I just wrote. There’s obviously something to be said about reading as much as you can, seeking out friends/mentors who are also writers, and attending classes or seminars. But I believe there’s no better way to learn good writing than to just write and to write as much as you can.

4. What does your writing space look like?

I struggle with ADHD so I have to make sure my writing space is as free of distractions as it can
possibly be. Just my laptop, a few research books and notebooks, and maybe a cup of coffee. Anything else and my mind will wander…

5. How many books have you written, and which is your favorite?

Last Light Over Galveston is my fourth book, and my favorite always tends to be the one I’ve just finished! But, in reality, all of my books are special in their own unique way, and I consider the main character of each a special friend.

6. What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

In Last Light Over Galveston, I was surprised to learn just how much the 1900 Galveston hurricane was a human disaster, rather than just a natural one as many assume. Although the storm itself was an act of nature, there were many mistakes made by those in charge—such as ignoring hurricane warnings from Cuba, misunderstanding the science behind such storms, and rejecting calls for a seawall—that made this particular hurricane one of the deadliest.

7. What questions do you ask yourself when preparing to write a new book?

There are two main questions: 1) What is God leading me to write about? That is usually where the spiritual thread of my stories comes in. And 2) what is something I’m interested in enough that I could spend the next year of my life reading and writing about it? Because writing a book takes a LONG time, and you will invariably grow weary of a topic before you’re finished with it if you’re not careful!

8. How did publishing your first book change your writing?

This might sound counter-intuitive, but publishing my first book actually taught me to write for myself rather than an audience. If you’re not careful, you can find yourself trying to write what you believe others want to read, even if it’s not the story God has laid on your heart. Publishing my first book taught me firsthand that I will never make everyone happy; two back-to-back reviews said: “This book is too Christian” and then “This book isn’t Christian enough.” So I learned to let go of that need to appease everyone and just write what I felt led to write, trusting my book will find its way into the hands of those who appreciate it.

About Last Light Over Galveston

Galveston, Texas. September 1900
 

Only months ago, Kathleen McDaniel returned from finishing school in Switzerland to her family home in New York’s Hudson Valley with a future of promise and privilege set before her. But one horrific event shattered her picturesque life. Now she has fled as far as the train line and a pocketful of money would take her, finding refuge at the St. Mary’s Orphan Asylum on Galveston Island, where she helps the nuns care for their young charges and prays her past will not find her. Despite her tenuous standing at the orphanage―and the grief and betrayal that drove her from home―Kathleen slowly begins to make friends. There is Emily, the novice nun she rooms with; Maggie, the tempestuous young girl who only bonds with Kathleen; and Matthew, a kind, handsome man recently employed by Isaac Cline at Galveston’s office of the US Weather Bureau.

Then in one fateful day, Kathleen’s fragile new life begins to crack as it becomes clear that she can’t run far enough to escape the reach of her former life. Meanwhile, as troubling news about a storm crossing the Gulf from Cuba swirls in the Weather Bureau offices, Matthew holds fast to Cline’s belief that no hurricane can touch Galveston. But as darkness falls on the island, Kathleen must gather her courage and reach for a strength beyond her own if she―and those she loves―are to survive."

Social Media Links: 

Photo credits:
Author and book cover: Jennifer Wright
Journal: Pixabay
Galveston Memorial: Pixabay/grahics4fun