ACFW May 2012 New Releases

Be prepared for a long list, but worth the browse time…

Harvest of Rubies by Tessa Afshar — The prophet Nehemiah’s cousin, Sarah, has come to two conclusions about life: that God does not love her, and that her accomplishments are the measure of her worth. Caught in an arranged marriage, Sarah must learn to love – a task that could prove dangerous. (Historical from River North (Moody).

A Bride’s Dilemma in Friendship, Tennessee by Diana Lesire Brandmeyer — At the close of the Civil War in Tennessee, Heaven Wharton’s life is out of control, and Travis Logan is running from a painful past. Did God orchestrate their meeting, or is it one more problem in their search for true peace? (Historical Romance from Barbour).

Trauma Plan by Candace Calvert — Sidelined by injuries from a vicious assault, nurse chaplain Riley Hale is determined to return to ER duties. But how can she show she’s competent when the hospital won’t let her attempt even simple tasks? To prove herself, Riley volunteers at a controversial urban free clinic despite her fears about the maverick doctor in charge. Dr. Jack Travis defends his clinic like he’s commander of the Alamo. He’ll fight the community’s efforts to shut its doors, even if he must use Riley Hale’s influential family name to make it happen. (Contemporary Romance from Tyndale House).

Mary’s Blessing by Lena Nelson Dooley — When her mother dies, Mary Lenora must grow up quickly to take care of her brothers and sisters. Can love help her to shoulder the burden? (Historical Romance from Realms (Charisma Media).

The Black Sheep’s Redemption by Lynette Eason — Charles Fitzgerald is guilty until proven innocent according to the townspeople of Fitzgerald Bay. When Demi Taylor comes to town, Charles finds one more reason to urge his law enforcement family to hurry up and solve the case–Demi’s love. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired).

Wildflowers from Winter by Katie Ganshert — Young architect at a prestigious Chicago firm, Bethany Quinn has built a life far removed from her trailer park teen years. Until an interruption from her estranged mother reveals that tragedy has struck in her hometown and a reluctant Bethany is called back to rural Iowa. The unexpected inheritance of farmland and a startling turn of events in Chicago forces Bethany to come up with a new plan. Handsome farmhand Evan Price has taken care of the Quinn farm for years. So when Bethany is left the land, he must fight her decisions to realize his dreams. But even as he disagrees with Bethany’s vision, Evan feels drawn to her and the pain she keeps so carefully locked away. (Contemporary Romance from Waterbrook/Multonomah).

The Marshal’s Promise by Rhonda Gibson — Mail-order bride Rebecca Ramsey arrives in the New Mexico territory full of dreams-but they’re shattered when she discovers her intended husband has been killed. If it weren’t for U.S. marshal Seth Billings’s housekeeping job offer, she’d have nowhere to go. Caring for Jesse Cole’s would-be bride is the least Seth can do. If it weren’t for him, the young man would still be alive. Seth had promised to look after Rebecca-and to keep her safe from Jesse’s enemies. Now if only he can keep his heart safe, as well… (Historical Romance from Love Inspired).

“Whole Pieces” from 7 Hours by Ronie Kendig — Whole Pieces is a novella in the 7 Hours collection. After a brutal attack left him without a limb and his team dead, former Green Beret Haytham “Hawk” Wilson is angry at life and God. Every day he relives his decision to send the Afghan boy home rather than following orders to kill any who came upon his hidden team. Eaten alive by grief and regret over one order he failed, Hawk seizes the opportunity to go back and correct his failure. The decision is simple . . . until he gets there. (Supernatural Thriller/Suspense from Tyndale House).

Chameleon, The Ravensmore Chronicles, Book Two by Jillian Kent — After battling a chronic childhood illness that kept her home-bound for years, Lady Victoria Grayson journeys to London determined to have the adventure of a lifetime. Jaded by his wartime profession as a spy, Lord Witt understands, more than most, that everyone is not always who they pretend to be. He meets Victoria after the Regent requests an investigation into the activities of her physician brother. Witt and Victoria become increasingly entangled in a plot targeting the lords of Parliament. (Historical Romance from Realms (Charisma Media).

The Soul Saver by Dineen Miller — Lexie is fighting a supernatural battle to save her marriage and her husband’s soul. Will she unmask the evil before it’s too late? (Supernatural Thriller/Suspense from Barbour).

Submerged by Dani Pettrey — A sabotaged plane. Two dead deep-water divers. One single clue. (Romantic Suspense from Bethany House).

Rainbow’s End by Cara Putman, Valerie Comer, Nicole O’Dell and Annalisa Daughety — Join a geocaching adventure in the spectacular Lake of the Ozarks wilderness, with Lyssa, the reluctant volunteer whose former nemesis is now her chief sponsor; Madison, a city girl paired with an outdoorsy guy who gets on her very last nerve; Hadley, who doesn’t know enough about guys to realize she’s met a womanizer; and cautious Reagan, who meets an equally cautious guy. Will they find the treasure they’re looking for… or something else entirely? (Romantic Mystery from Barbour).

After All (A Hanover Falls Novel) by Deborah Raney — Raney’s Hanover Falls series offers plenty of romance and mystery as three people find hope, forgiveness, and love in unexpected places. (General Contemporary from Howard (Simon & Schuster).

Fatal Disclosure by Sandra Robbins — An undercover DEA agent finds himself protecting the woman he loves from the smugglers who murdered his partner. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired).

The Ride of Her Life by Lorna Seilstad — The only man pragmatic Lilly Hart needs in her life is a six year old. Widowed two years ago, Lilly leaves the shelter of her intrusive in-laws’ home to stand on her own and provide for her young son by working for the summer as a cook at Lake Manawa. When a row ensues with the in-laws, a handsome stranger–who designs roller coasters, of all things–intercedes on her behalf. Little does she know she is about to begin the ride of her life. (Historical Romance from Revell).

Annie’s Truth by Beth Shriver — Annie Bieler seems to have it all—a loving family in a tight-knit Amish community and the affections of an attractive and respected young man. But when she learns that she was adopted after being found as an abandoned newborn, she sets out on a journey to find out who she is. (Contemporary Romance from Realms (Charisma Media).

Stardust by Carla Stewart — An East Texas widow sets her dreams on running the Stardust Tourist Court, but when her dead husband’s mistress arrives with a child in tow and polio strikes, her dreams are crippled. (Contemporary from Faith Words (Hachette).

My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade — A single Christian girls determines to renovate the broken heart of her contractor. (Contemporary Romance from Bethany House).

The Homesteader’s Sweetheart by Lacy Williams — To escape a dreaded arranged marriage, Penny Castlerock will face anything–even life on her grandfather’s farm. But it isn’t the rustic lifestyle that’s got the Philadelphia socialite tied in knots. It’s the handsome homesteader and his eight adopted children next door…. (Historical Romance from Love Inspired).


Yowzee! My budget will take a serious beating this month with all the fabulous-sounding books I want to buy!
What about you? 
Any books you absolutely must read?

Check out ACFW Fiction Finder for more details. 

My Review of FATAL JUDGMENT by Irene Hannon

The back cover blurb:

U.S. Marshal Jake Taylor has seen plenty of action during his years in law enforcement. But he’d rather go back to Iraq than face his next assignment: protection detail for federal judge Liz Michaels. His feelings toward the coldhearted workaholic haven’t warmed in the five years since she drove her husband–and Jake’s best friend–to despair . . . and possible suicide.

As the danger mounts and Jake gets to know Liz better, he’s forced to revise his opinion of her. And when it becomes clear that an unknown enemy may want her dead, the stakes are raised. Because now both her life–and his heart–are in danger.

My review:

Wow! What’s not to like about Fatal Judgment? I enjoyed every aspect of this book…the characters, the dialogue, the plot, the ending. Jake’s initial dislike of Liz progressed naturally, not forced or rushed, creating the perfect blend of romance and suspense for me. A plausible plot, likeable characters, and an organic faith thread made this book a real-page turning combination.

Although I downloaded a free version of Fatal Judgment, I will purchase the next book in the series, Deadly Pursuit, which is available now. Five stars, Ms. Hannon!

Purchase Link for Fatal Judgment

How do you feel about this “free download” marketing strategy?

Do you read a free download, and then immediately purchase the next book by that author? On every occasion except one, I have purchased successive books by authors after reading a free kindle download. I’m convinced that this marketing strategy works. What about you? Do you buy into this marketing strategy? Do you find new authors this way?

Meet Lexi from Shattered Identity by K. Dawn Byrd

K. Dawn Byrd is back with her latest YA inspirational romance, Shattered Identity. Let’s meet Lexi, the leading lady.

Tell us about yourself, Lexi.
I’ve been told I’m beautiful, especially by the guys. Oh, I’m great in math. I’m so good that my teacher has asked me to tutor other students who aren’t getting it. I only tutor hot guys though.


What do you like to do in your spare time? And what things do you avoid?
I hang out with my new boyfriend, Zack. My mom wouldn’t exactly approve because I’m 19 and he’s 25, so I haven’t told her about him. Maybe one day.

Eden used to ask me to go to church with her. I went a couple of times, but it wasn’t my thing. Now, Jeremy is bugging me about church. We can’t even have a conversation without him bringing it up. Just give it a rest, people!

What’s your biggest fear?
Rejection. I guess it goes back to when my dad left Mom and me. I felt rejected and still do since I never get to see him. I can’t stand feeling that way. That’s why I tried to take Eden’s boyfriend away from her. I knew he wanted her instead of me and I couldn’t take the rejection.

What’s your dream life, Lexi?
I want to go to college, get married, and have a couple of kids one day. Right now, I can’t trust my mom to stay sober, so I have no immediate plans for college. I feel like my life is on hold.

Any regrets?
I would change the fact that sometimes I do things without thinking about the consequences and people I care about get hurt. If I’d really thought it through, I never would have gone after Eden’s boyfriend. That cost us our friendship and I miss her.

Blurb for Shattered Identity:
Lexi Branson thinks she’s found the guy of her dreams. So what if he’s older? Her new motto is, “Love knows no boundaries or age limits.” Zack Bane loves her and treats her like a princess and that’s all that matters.

Lexi soons discovers that she doesn’t know Zack as well as she thought. He has secrets, the kind that shatter the lives of those who love him. When faced with the truth, Lexi tries to hang onto him because she has a secret of her own.

When Lexi ends up in danger, she discovers she has no one to turn to except her ex-boyfriend, Jeremy. Can Jeremey, who is still in love with her, keep her safe from Zack? When faced with a choice will Lexi choose to stay with the guy who has become a stranger or will she choose Jeremy, the guy who loves her with all his heart?

K. Dawn Byrd is an author of inspirational romance and avid blogger who gives away several books per week on her blog at http://www.kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com, most of which are signed by the authors. She’s also the moderator of the popular facebook Christian Fiction Gathering group at http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=128209963444. 


When not reading or writing, K. Dawn Byrd enjoys spending time with her husband of 16 years while walking their dogs beside a gorgeous lake near her home and plotting the next story waiting to be told.