November 2015 ACFW New Fiction Releases

by Sandra Ardoin

Biblical Fiction:

The Master’s Calling by Amber Schamel — A young Jew travels to Jerusalem in hopes of becoming a disciple of the Messiah, only to discover that Jesus has already been crucified. Did Israel’s deliverance die with him? (Biblical Fiction, Independently Published)

Contemporary Romance:

Merry Kisses by Valerie Comer — Can a disillusioned toy store clerk and a mall Santa resolve their differences in time for merry kisses at Christmas? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

Catch of a Lifetime by Candee Fick — When his star receiver teeters on the brink of ineligibility, the rookie college coach and the bitter tutor must work together to salvage the season … without igniting a scandal. (Contemporary Romance from Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas)

Yuletide Cowboys by Arlene James and Deb Kastner — The Cowboy’s Yuletide Reunion by Deb Kastner When Sarah Kendrick meets her high school sweetheart again, she’s ashamed to show Marcus Ender how far she’s fallen. But when they’re snowed in on her ranch, and he returns holiday joy to her family, Sarah could have a merry Christmas…if she’ll say yes. The Cowboy’s Christmas Gift by Arlene James An injury forces rodeo rider Matt Ender home to his family’s ranch—where he clashes with his grandmother’s pretty business partner. Former cowgirl Neely Spence has no time for love. Can they open their hearts and find family this Christmas? (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Island Christmas by Kimberly Rose Johnson — Sous Chef Rachel Narrelli returns to Wildflower Island looking for a fresh start for herself and her young son. When she starts to care for Chris Campbell, can she risk her heart? A self-proclaimed workaholic, Chris comes to Wildflower Island hoping to invest in the hot real estate market and take life at a slower pace. When a new guest at Wildflower B&B catches his eye he is smitten, but how will a woman and her young son fit into his future, when he’s not even sure he will have a future due to a heart condition? (Contemporary Romance from Mountain Brook Ink)

Rancher for the Holidays by Myra Johnson — Downsized from his corporate job, Ben Fisher’s donning boots and a cowboy hat to try ranching through the holidays on his uncle’s spread. The handsome city slicker turns heads wherever he goes—but he soon begins to fall for one special redhead. Marley Sanders has the work-obsessed bachelor doing the unthinkable—volunteering in the community and dreaming of wedding bells and babies. But his sweet country girl insists she’s never leaving Alpine, Texas, and he’s set to ride out with the first job offer. Unless Marley can convince him to take the job of her forever cowboy. (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Isle of Hope by Julie Lessman — She’s the town flirt serving up trouble; He’s a pastor’s kid bent on serving God, but when time and tragedy separate them for eight years, the tables are turned, begging the question: Can a wild girl gone good rebuild bridges she’s burned? (Contemporary Romance, ACFW QIP [Qualified Independently Published])

Romance:

Christmas with the Colburns by Keely Brooke Keith — It’s Christmastime in Good Springs, and Lydia Bradshaw is eager for the light at the end of her year—the Colburn family’s big holiday gathering. When she discovers none of her siblings are coming back to the village this year, she believes Christmas will be ruined. As Lydia faces a gloomy holiday in the Colburn house, an unexpected romance brightens her favorite season. Will it be enough to rekindle the light of Christmas? (Romance, Independently Published)

Historical Romance:

Fragile Blessings by Susan M. Baganz — In the late 1800’s, Grant and Lily have established their farm amongst the bluffs of western Wisconsin. As they anticipate the birth of their first child, tragedy strikes. With shaken faith and grief driving a wedge between them, is it possible for three orphans to heal Grant and Lily’s heart and relationship? (Historical Romance from Inspired [Prism Book Group])

Tabitha by Vikki Kestell — Rescued from a life of depravity, fiery-haired, fiery-tempered Tabitha Hale gives her heart to God and her life to nursing. But what will Tabitha do with her feelings for British pilot Mason Carpenter, the man who refuses to give up on her? When the Great War erupts, Carpenter leaves for England to train British pilots. Soon after, Tabitha hears God’s call to nurse the war wounded. Will the elite British Nursing Service accept the services of an American volunteer? Is it possible for two people with such different callings upon their hearts to share a future? (Historical Romance, Independently Published)

In This Together by Gail Elaine Kittleson — After losing her son in World War II and her husband soon after, Dottie makes do, but her next door neighbor’s sudden interest in her, his haunting World War I memories and her faraway daughter’s dire need intersect in unexpected ways. Can Dottie overcome her fear of enclosed spaces to board a train and step into a new life? (Historical Romance from Wild Rose Press)

Sofia’s Tune by Cindy Thomson — Scrambling to keep her job and care for her mother, Sofia is convinced confronting the past will heal all wounds, but her old world Italian family wants to keep the past in the past. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)

Historical:

The Last Truth by Leann Harris — Linette Van Linder enters into a marriage of convenience to fight the Nazis and free her family. (Historical Romance, ACFW QIP [Qualified Independently Published])

The Peacock Throne by Lisa Karon Richardson — When Miss Lydia Garrett’s guardian is murdered, and the authorities refuse to investigate the odd circumstances, she vows to catch the culprit. The same night the Earl of Danbury is murdered in his bed. Against all odds it appears that the murders are related?and Anthony Douglas, the new Lord Danbury, is bent on revenge. The clues point to the former earl’s first naval command. In 1758 the earl spirited away and hid the magnificent Peacock Throne at the behest of the Indian royal family. To draw out the murderer, Anthony and Lydia agree that they must locate the throne. They are not the only ones interested in the Peacock Throne, however. Marcus Wiltshire, a British intelligence, has received hints that Bonaparte intends to return the throne to India and leverage its mystical significance to foment rebellion and cut England off from her most important trading partner. When the amateur sleuths join forces with the professional agent, the quest for the throne leads them around the globe on an adventure steeped in danger, treachery, and romance. (Historical from Lion Fiction [Monarch Publishing])

Romantic Suspense:

The Christmas Bell Tolls by Robin Caroll — When an FBI agent’s child is abducted, he is forced to sit on the sidelines of the investigation and put his faith in the one woman he’s not sure he can trust. (Romantic Suspense, ACFW QIP [Qualified Independently Published])

High-Caliber Holiday (First Responders) by Susan Sleeman — Sniper Brady Owens has lost his confidence on the FRS team’s last callout, but he better find it fast if he’s to protect Morgan Thorsby from a stalker bent on murder. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Supernatural Thriller:

Trial & Tribulations by Rachel Dylan — High-powered attorney Olivia Murray arrives in Windy Ridge to defend a New Age tech company and discovers there is much more to the case than the legal claims—forces of darkness are at work. Windy Ridge quickly turns from quiet Chicago suburb to spiritual battleground, and Olivia must rely on her faith to defend against legal and spiritual attacks. Olivia finds a friend and unlikely ally in Opposing Counsel Grant Baxter. Once a skeptic about faith, he ultimately comes to her aid when she needs it most. Will she be able to help good triumph over evil before the town of Windy Ridge is torn apart? (Supernatural Thriller, Independently Published)

Young Adult:

The Golden Braid by Melanie Dickerson — In this Rapunzel story set in Medieval Germany, Rapunzel discovers her true identity and falls in love with a noble knight who needs some saving of his own. (Young Adult Historical Romance from HarperCollins Christian Publishing [Thomas Nelson and Zondervan])

This month’s list is filled with Christmas stories! Other than The Yuletide Angel, **yes, shameless self-promotion** have you read a Christmas story you recommend? Got one you’re looking forward to reading?

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.

How will she escape the clutches of a lunatic? Or will she?

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Sandra Ardoin writes Inspirational Historical Romances.