January 2016 ACFW New Fiction Releases

by Sandra Ardoin

I have to add…the scent of new books! And here are the first for 2016!

Contemporary Romance:

Where She Belongs by Johnnie Alexander — Sparks fly when a woman purchases her abandoned family home from the infuriating man who let it fall into ruin. (Contemporary Romance from Revell [Baker Publishing])

Keeper of the Stars by Robin Lee Hatcher — Penny Cartwright blames Trevor Reynolds, a Nashville fame-chaser, for her brother’s death. Can she let go of resentment and open her heart to love? After an accident kills his young drummer, Trevor goes to Kings Meadow to keep a promise—and perhaps to discover what truly matters in this life. Thrown together by circumstances, Penny and Trevor must learn to give and receive forgiveness. And if they do, perhaps something beautiful can rise from the ashes of heartbreak. (Contemporary Romance from HarperCollins Christian Publishing [Thomas Nelson and Zondervan])

Historical Romance:

A Reluctant Melody by Sandra Ardoin — When a blackmailer threatens to reveal Joanna’s long-held secret, will she risk losing everything she owns to Kit … including her heart? (Historical Romance from Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas)

The Lassoed by Marriage Romance Collection by Angela Bell, Angela Breidenbach, Lisa Carter, Mary Connealy, Rebecca Jepson, Amy Lillard, Gina Welborn, Kathleen Y’Barbo, and Rose Ross Zediker — Come along on a romantic journey jam-packed with all the angst of marriages founded upon practical choices as well as coercion. Meet nine couples who barely know each other before they find themselves suddenly married to please family, to stem the tide of gossip, to save the land and joined for life. But can love grow when duty comes before romance? (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)

Calico Spy by Margaret Brownley — Someone is killing off the Harvey Girls and undercover Pinkerton detective Katie Madison hopes to find the killer before the killer finds her-or before she burns down the restaurant trying. (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)

With This Ring? by Mary Connealy, Melissa Jagears, Regina Jennings, and Karen Witemeyer — Four top historical romance novelists team up in this new collection to offer stories of love and romance with a twist of humor. In Karen Witemeyer’s “The Husband Maneuver,” Marietta Hawkins decides to grab the reins when the ranch foreman she loves seems to be leaving forever. Regina Jennings offers “Her Dearly Unintended,” where friends stranded by a rising river pretend to be newlyweds when a dangerous stranger arrives. Mary Connealy’s “Runaway Bride” finds a Texas ranger getting more than he expected when he rescues a young woman fleeing a dangerous arranged marriage. And Melissa Jagears’ “Engaging the Competition” finds a young woman forced to assist the man she’s often sparred with after an accident leaves him helpless. (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker] Publishing)

The Bounty Hunter’s Redemption by Janet Dean — Recently widowed Carly Richards is shocked when a bounty hunter declares her seamstress shop belongs to his sister. But Nate Sergeant has proof-the deed her lawless husband gambled away without her knowledge. Now Carly must fight for her home and her son’s future. Nate’s faced the meanest outlaws in the land—but this petite, strong-willed seamstress may be his greatest challenge. He’s determined his sister will have the property that’s legally hers. But as Nate and Carly battle for ownership, Nate realizes there’s something he’s overlooked—the hope of building a family with Carly and her adorable son. (Historical Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Austen in Austin, Volume 1 by Susanne Dietze, Anita Mae Draper, Debra E. Marvin, and Gina Welborn — Discover four heroines in historical Austin, TX, as they find love–Jane Austen style. Volume 1 includes: If I Loved You Less by Gina Welborn, based on Emma A prideful matchmaker examines her own heart when her protégé falls for the wrong suitor. Romantic Refinements by Anita Mae Draper, based on Sense and Sensibility A misguided academy graduate spends the summer falling in love . . . twice. One Word from You by Susanne Dietze, based on Pride and Prejudice A down-on-her-luck journalist finds the story of her dreams, but her prejudice may cost her true love . . . and her career. Alarmingly Charming by Debra E. Marvin, based on Northanger Abbey A timid gothic dime-novel enthusiast tries to solve the mystery of a haunted cemetery and, even more shocking, why two equally charming suitors compete for her attentions. (Historical Romance from Whitefire Publishing)

All That Glitters by Lisa J. Flickinger — When the world listens only to the call of gold, redemption and love become scarce treasures. Leaving behind her family and a dying father, Ginny Connor follows the cunning Logan Harris up North to strike it rich. Her sister Vivian follows to “rescue” her, and they are both led into the chaos of the Klondike Gold Rush. Meanwhile, Ben McCormack leaves his farm to retrieve his intended bride from a rowdy tent town on the Alaskan coastline. Ben’s path inadvertently entwines with Vivian’s and he finds his heart tugging him in a different direction. Danger and disappointment plague all their journeys to the far North. (Historical Romance from Ambassador International)

A Worthy Heart by Susan Anne Mason — Irish lass Maggie Montgomery visits her brother in America secretly hoping to find her fortune and love. While visiting Irish Meadows, she meets an intriguing man whom she thinks is a stable hand. Her brother demands she stay away from Adam O’Leary, who he says was recently released from prison. Nonetheless, Maggie can’t seem to make her heart listen. Adam plans to make amends and earn back his family’s trust. Falling in love with Maggie Montgomery, however, was never in his plans. Despite everyone’s effort to keep them apart, the two develop a bond nothing can break–but has Adam truly changed, or will the sins of his past prove too much for Maggie to overcome? (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker] Publishing)

Romantic Suspense:

Compromised Identity by Jodie Bailey — Staff sergeant Jessica Dylan catches a female soldier stealing her laptop—and almost pays with her life. But a blue-eyed mystery man rushes to her aid just in time, and Jessica learns the handsome army staff sergeant has been investigating her. Sean Turner believes a ring of cyberterrorists who’ve been attacking military bases are now specifically targeting Jessica. And he’s determined to figure out why. When an attempt is made on Jessica’s life, Sean vows to stop the hackers. Yet the heart-scarred solider is set on keeping an emotional distance…especially when they discover what the terrorists are really after. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Lethal Action by Rachel Dylan — New York attorney Hope Finch is used to high-stakes litigation, but when she’s sent to what she thought was a small, sleepy town in Georgia, she is unprepared for threats on her life and career. FBI Special Agent Gabe Marino is assigned to protect the big city lawyer visiting his hometown of Maxwell, Georgia. As Gabe investigates the illegal activity linked to Hope’s client, he tries to caution her, but she ignores his warnings-until it’s her life that’s in jeopardy. Hope and Gabe race against the clock to uncover the true threat, but time is running out on them both. (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published)

Thin Ice by Irene Hannon — After losing her parents and her sister, Christy Reed has been mired in grief. Now, life is finally starting to feel normal again–until an envelope addressed in her sister’s handwriting arrives in the mail. And the note inside claims she is still alive. FBI Special Agent Lance McGregor, a former Delta Force operator, is assigned to reopen the case . . . but he’s coming up with more questions than answers. Is Christy a pawn in a twisted cat-and-mouse game—or the target of a sinister plot? As Lance digs deeper, one thing becomes clear: someone in the shadows has a deadly agenda. (Romantic Suspense from Revell [Baker Publishing])

What is your favorite thing about winter, in particular, January?

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

Note: This list is compiled from those books registered by ACFW member authors on Fiction Finder and reprinted with permission of ACFW.