Friday, October 3, 2025

Fiction Friday: New Releases in Christian Fiction

 

October 2025 New Releases

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

Biblical:

Rescued Heart: The Story of Sarah by Angela Hunt -- A master of biblical research, Angela Hunt delivers a series starter that transports readers to the Old Testament world of Sarah and Abraham, making this novel a perfect read for those who love Francine Rivers, Mesu Andrews, Connilyn Cossette, and Jill Eileen Smith. (Biblical/Historical from Bethany House) 

Leading Philippi by Jenifer Jennings -- In the raging sea of fear, Epaphroditus finds his faith. (Biblical/Historical, Independently Published)
    
Contemporary Romance:

The Second Story Bookshop by Denise Hunter -- She inherits the bookshop of her dreams . . . But she has to run it with the ex she vowed never to speak with again. (Contemporary Romance from HarperCollins Christian Publishing [Thomas Nelson]) 

Trying to Save Christmas by Dawn Kinzer -- A new teacher trying to save Christmas for a grieving student and his guardian brother risks losing her heart to them both. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published) 

A Heart to Protect by Judith McNees -- Can two grieving hearts find healing with each other…and God? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published) 

Christmas in Granite Harbor by Candice Sue Patterson -- Small-town traditions, a Maine Coon, and a decades-old mystery knit hearts together this Christmas. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published) 

Who Stirs Up the Sea by Deborah Raney -- So many secrets between them. But when the truth comes out, will it drive them apart? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published) 

Two Hearts, One Piano by Catherine Richmond -- Ten years ago, rock star Alan Wolfe trashed Maren's life. Now his brother is on her doorstep, asking about the baby. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)
Cozy Mystery:

Troubled Truffles by Leslie Lantrip -- Ruby Starr breathes a sigh of relief that all is well in the whimsical town of Iris Cove, but while making a routine bakery delivery, she's shocked to discover a dead body inside the new bookshop. She assures everyone that she will never again be involved in sleuthing, but with clues all around, will her inquisitive mind be able to comply? (Cozy Mystery from Trilogy Christian Publishing) 

The Last Scam by Jean Rezab -- Courtney’s lifelong dream is finally within her grasp, but when a guest turns up dead during the inn’s very first week, her perfect plans turn into chaos. (Cozy Mystery, Independently Published)
General Contemporary:

Tangled Roots by Jessica Brodie -- When newspaper editor Tiff Steadman's ex-convict brother returns seeking reconciliation, she must choose between protecting the respectable life she's built and risking everything to embrace the messy grace of family forgiveness. (General Contemporary from Valor Publishing Group) 

The Bridge by Shanna Hatfield -- The fate of strangers intertwines when a man contemplating suicide commandeers a bridge on Christmas Eve, forcing everyone into an unexpected detour from their holiday plans. (General Contemporary, Independently Published) 

Every Life Treasured by Hannah Hood Lucero, Aubrey Reiss Taylor, and Jennifer Q. Hunt – Three Novellas about the value of life. (General Contemporary, Independently Published) 

The Song Awakens by Linda Sammaritan -- One moment of temptation. Years of separation. How much of the truth does she dare to confess? (General Contemporary/Women’s Fiction from Winged Publications)
General Historical:

To Outwit Them All by Peggy Wirgau -- Inspired by a true story, "To Outwit Them All" is told from the perspective of the only woman in George Washington's Revolutionary group of citizen spies known as the Culper Ring. (General Historical from Iron Stream Media)
    
Historical Romance:

A Heart To Treasure by Dienece Darling -- The vicar’s son and the draper’s daughter have fought against all odds to be together, but with less than a fortnight to their wedding day, a coming storm will shatter everything. (Historical Romance, Independently Published) 

A Very English Christmas by Marguerite Gray, Carole Lehr Johnson, and Carrie Turansky -- Celebrate the Season with three timeless tales inspired by Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and Beatrix Potter. (Historical Romance, Independently Published) 

Love on the Horizon by Penny Zeller -- Return to Horizon, Idaho, for Timothy Shepherdson's story and meet newcomer, Mags, in this tender romance that reminds us that God is the author of new beginnings. (Historical Romance from Maplebrook Publishing)
   
Military Suspense:

Tick, Tick, Tick … Boom by Felicia Ferguson -- With her marriage to clinical psychologist Matt in shambles, Army CID Officer Gabby Carmichael wakes up to a bomb threat. They reluctantly work together to find the bomber, but as pressure mounts, which will explode first? The bomb or their marriage? (Military Suspense from Salt & Light Publishing)
    
Novella (Romance):

Christmas on the Islands by Annette M. Irby -- Washington Island Christmas series novellas all in one place! Visit Puget Sound and the Salish Sea islands in this series of holiday novellas! Enjoy getting to know new characters, with some cameo visits from previous friends. Here you'll find heart-warming scenes, layered family dynamics, romance, and hope in Jesus. (Romance Novella from Prism Effect Publishing) 

A Christmas Inheritance by Myra Johnson, Delia Latham, and Tanya Stowe -- Three Christmas stories in one! "His Christmas Refuge:" He came home to leave it all behind. She's convinced he'll run again. "A Montana Christmas Promise:" He gave everything to the land. She came only to let it go. "The Prodigal Preacher's Christmas Homecoming:" A story of redemption, brotherhood, and love reborn under the gentle hand of grace. (Romance Novella, Independently Published)
    
Romantic Suspense:

Mistletoe and Malice by Lori DeJong -- He’s sworn to protect her life … but guarding his heart may be his biggest challenge. (Romantic Suspense from Scrivenings Press) 

Fatal Past by Sarah Hamaker -- When a pediatrician foils an attempted child abduction, she’s thrust into a dangerous game in which she must rely on the help of her former boyfriend to stay alive. (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published) 

Defending You by Robin Patchen -- She stumbled onto a deadly secret, and the man she once wronged is the only one who can keep her alive. (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published) 

Texas Christmas Cover-Up by Terri Reed -- A widowed FBI profiler must turn to her ex, a commanding Police Chief to protect her child and solve a cold case. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Speculative Fiction/Fantasy:

Dust and Ashes by Demi Griffin -- Even mistakes and failures were folded into the king's plan! (Speculative Fiction/Fantasy, Independently Published)   

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

Unexpected by Kimberly Keagan -- The heirs of Denwall Department Stores find unexpected love In the glittering era of the Gilded Age. (Historical Romance) 

Where Secrets End by Rebecca Lake -- One man’s obsession. One woman’s past. One chance to survive. (Romantic Suspense) 

But There Were Signs by Georgia Curtis Ling -- When one of their own is found dead, four pastors’ wives–turned amateur sleuths are playing a deadly game of cat and mouse with a suspected killer in Appalachia. (Contemporary Suspense) 

The Dreamer by Jenny Marcelene -- To the Ends is an international adventure series helping children ages 6-10 cultivate a biblical worldview and spark prayer for the nations. (Children’s/Middle Grade Chapter Book) 

Escaping the Wilderness by Carrie Stuart Parks -- On the run through the mountains— with only each other to trust. (Romantic Suspense) 

The Realm: The Awakening Begins by K Ross -- In a world where dreams are more real than not, and harsh realities collide with visions of eternity, only one god can rule. (Supernatural Suspense)

Thursday, October 2, 2025

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Janalyn Voight

When Mail Took Weeks and 
Coffee Was Gold: Life in the Old West
By Janalyn Voigt, Guest Author

Ever wish you could time-travel to the Old West? I used to imagine it as a land of wide skies, brave hearts, and the kind of adventure that makes your pulse quicken. But as I dug into the real history while writing the Montana Gold western romance series, I discovered life back then was a mix of grit, gumption, and just enough grace to keep going.

Let’s set the scene.

No Amazon Prime, No Problem?

In the 1880s Montana Territory, a letter could take weeks to arrive—if it made it at all. Roads were dusty (or muddy) tracks. Stagecoaches bounced over ruts, stopping at waystations where you might be greeted with strong coffee and stronger opinions. If you wanted fabric for a new dress or parts for your plow, you sent away to a catalog and waited. Patience wasn't just a virtue—it was survival.

I’ve always admired the kind of woman who could manage a homestead, cook over an open fire, keep
her family clothed and fed, and still have the backbone to fight for what’s right. Women like that inspired characters such as America Reed, the resourceful heroine of Hills of Nevermore (Book 1 in the Montana Gold series). America flees a troubled past and finds herself in a rough gold rush town, facing the wild unknown without the certainty of God’s love. Shane Hayes, a blue-eyed circuit preacher with more gumption than caution, makes it his mission to set her straight.

The Gold Rush That Wasn't Quite

Speaking of gold, Montana's gold rush didn’t exactly play out like a Hollywood western. Sure, there were strikes like the one at Alder Gulch in the 1860s and stampedes of hopeful miners, but few struck it rich. Most ended up laboring to get by—or else moved on to the next big rumor of gold. The sense of transience this brought made the region volatile, but also full of opportunity for those brave (or desperate) enough to grab it.

I used that tension in Cheyenne Sunrise (Book 2), where a widow and a half-Cheyenne trail guide find themselves thrown together on a journey north. The unsettled land mirrors their own emotional landscapes—rugged, unpredictable, but with breathtaking beauty and unexpected grace.

Real Love in a Harsh Land

Romance might not be the first thing you associate with frontier life, but love stories were written every day—in shared hardships, small acts of kindness, and the kind of loyalty born from struggle. I like to think my stories echo those quiet, enduring romances. They remind us that even in hard times—maybe especially in hard times—people hold onto hope.

Take Stagecoach to Liberty (Book 3). Imagine traveling through mountain passes with strangers, only to discover one of them might hold the key to your past—and your future. Talk about a surprise. I wove real details about stagecoach travel into the story, from the grueling pace to the ever-present danger of bandits, breakdowns, and other perils.

Why I Keep Writing About the West

I write western historical romance not just for the swoon-worthy cowboys (though let’s be honest—they
don’t hurt). I write it because there’s something timeless about the resilience, faith, and community of the Wild West.

If that’s the kind of story you like too, I invite you to saddle up and ride into the pages of Montana Gold. Each book blends historical truth with heartfelt romance and just enough danger to keep you turning the pages.

Thanks to Linda Matchett for letting me stop by History, Hope, & Happily Ever After. It’s a joy to connect with readers who love history as much as I do!

Happy trails,
Janalyn Voigt
Let's connect: www.janalynvoigt.com

Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Wartime Wednesday: Filipina Resistance Member Florence Finch

Wartime Wednesday: Florence Finch, 
Filipina Resistance Member

During World War II, hundreds of thousands of people worked behind the scenes and underground; some while remaining in plain view. Florence Ebersole Smith Finch was one of those people. She was born on October 11, 1915 to an American father and Filipina mother in Santiago. Her childhood was “disruptive,” as one source put it, when her father married her mother, but later made a common-law wife of his stepdaughter. He passed away when Florence was twelve.

As an adult, she obtained a job working as a stenographer at the Intelligence Headquarters in Manila where she met her US Navy husband Charles Smith. They married in 1941, then he was transferred to Correigor where he was killed while manning the deck of a ship. Florence did not receive news of his death until May 1942. By this time the Philippines had fallen to the Japanese.

She managed to convince authorities she was Filipino and went to work at the Japanese-run Philippine
Liquid Fuel Distribution Union. She used her position to transfer ration coupons to resistance workers. This diverted supplies from the Japanese. According to the US Coast Guard website, she also arranged acts of sabotage against the occupying forces. When she found out that her boss, Lt. Col. Englehart had been captured, and he and his fellow prisoners-of-war were being badly treated, she began to smuggle food and medicine to them.

It is unknown how the Japanese discovered her activities, but she was arrested in October 1944. Imprisoned in a tiny cell, only two-by-four foot squared, she was repeatedly tortured. However, this stalwart woman refused to reveal her compatriots. According to the Coast Guard, she was given a “sham trial” and sentenced to three years of hard labor in the Women’s Correctional Institution in Mandaluong outside of Manilla.

The US First Cavalry arrived in Manila on February 3, 1945, and Florence was liberated a week later. After five months of captivity, she was less than eighty pounds. She decided to move to New York to be with her aunt and arrived in May 1945 where she enlisted in the Coast Guard Women’s Reserve because as she said, “to avenge the death of my husband.” She subsequently met and married American army veteran Bob Finch with whom she had two children.

After her Coast Guard superiors found out about her work with the resistance, she was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon. In 1947, she received the Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the U.S, from President Truman. She passed away December 8, 2016 at the age of 101.

________________

The American World War II Home Front in 29 Objects:

Unlike Europe the American mainland escaped physical devastation during World War II as it was not subjected to full-scale invasions. However, that didn’t mean the United States wasn’t impacted by the war. The ramifications of large economic, cultural, and societal changes forced Americans to reconsider entrenched beliefs and traditions.

Artifacts collected from across the nation tell the stories of the American people whose lives were shaped by this second “war to end all wars,” World War II.

Purchase link: https://books2read.com/u/47pLxR


Photo Credits:
Florence Finch enlistment photo: By U.S. Coast Guard - The Long Blue Line: SN1 Florence Finch, Public Domain.
Florence Finch, courtesy of US Coast Guard
Map of Philippines: Google

Sources:
https://www.washingtonindependentreviewofbooks.com/bookreview/the-indomitable-florence-finch-the-untold-story-of-a-war-widow-turned-resistance-fighter-and-savior-of-american-pows
https://msmagazine.com/2020/09/02/seven-indomitable-women-of-world-war-ii/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_Finch
https://www.history.uscg.mil/Browse-by-Topic/Notable-People/All/Article/1854611/florence-ebersole-smith-finch-uscgr/