If I Run

If I Run
Terri Blackstock
(Harper Collins/Zondervan)
ISBN: 978-0310332435
February 2016/320 pages/$15.99
Casey knows the truth.

But it won’t set her free.

Casey Cox’s DNA is all over the crime scene. There’s no use talking to police; they have failed her abysmally before. She has to flee before she’s arrested . . . or worse. The truth doesn’t matter anymore.

But what is the truth? That’s the question haunting Dylan Roberts, the war-weary veteran hired to find Casey. PTSD has marked him damaged goods, but bringing Casey back can redeem him. Though the crime scene seems to tell the whole story, details of the murder aren’t adding up. Casey Cox doesn’t fit the profile of a killer. But are Dylan’s skewed perceptions keeping him from being objective? If she isn’t guilty, why did she run?

Unraveling her past and the evidence that condemns her will take more time than he has, but as Dylan’s damaged soul intersects with hers, he is faced with two choices. The girl who occupies his every thought is a psychopathic killer . . . or a selfless hero. And the truth could be the most deadly weapon yet.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Terri Blackstock has sold over seven million books worldwide and is a New York Times bestselling author. She is the award-winning author of Intervention, Vicious Cycle, and Downfall, as well as such series as Cape Refuge, Newpointe 911, the SunCoast Chronicles, and the Restoration Series. Find out more about Terri at http://www.terriblackstock.com.


MY THOUGHTS

Terri Blackstock is one of the premiere Christian suspense authors, and If I Run is yet another reason why. Blackstock wastes no time in plunging the reader into the story with a chilling and pulse-pounding opening, and the tension remains high throughout the book. I normally don't advocate that a person run from the authorities, but Casey Cox has every reason to, and it's impossible not to empathize with her and cheer for her safety. Complex characters populate this action-packed suspense that is impossible to put down. If I Run is highly recommended!


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free from Harper Collins/Zondervan Publishing and Litfuse Publicity Group for a blog tour. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”



Casey Cox doesn’t fit the profile of a killer . . . but her DNA is all over the crime scene, and she's now a fugitive. Don't miss Terri Blackstock's next page-turner, If I Run. Unraveling her past and the evidence that condemns her will take more time than Dylan has, the war-weary veteran hired to find Casey. But as Dylan’s damaged soul intersects with hers, he is faced with two choices. The girl who occupies his every thought is a psychopathic killer . . . or a selfless hero. And the truth could be the most deadly weapon yet.

Join Terri in celebrating her new book with a Fitbit giveaway and a special $4.99 digital pre-order deal!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of If I Run
• A Fitbit One™ or a Fitbit Flex (winner's choice)

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry! The giveaway ends on February 16th. The winner will be announced February 17th on the Litfuse blog.

Plus don't miss out on the special $4.99 digital pre-order pricing, now through February 15. Pre-order the book through your favorite e-book retailer; details here.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

It's good to be joining Joyce for the Wednesday Hodgepodge, my first time for 2016.

1. Speaking of skating...when did you last 'skate on thin ice', 'skate over the details', 'encounter a cheapskate', or just plain skate?

Well, I never learned to skate well, but I could have used some skates last weekend when I worked 44 hours in 3 days, doing both my supervisory job and being a floor nurse when someone called in.

2. What would you say is the biggest problem of people your age?

Over-involvement in their college-age and young adult children's lives. Give them some space!

3. What's your favorite accessory? Is it something you wear every day, often, or only on special occasions?

4. January 20th is National Cheese Lover's Day. Are you a lover of cheese? What's your favorite dish made with cheese? Last thing you ate that contained some kind of cheese?

I love cheese. One of my favorite's is Chuy's Chile Con Queso. And that may have been the last thing I had with cheese as I took some leftover dip with me to work this past weekend!

5. What's something guaranteed to make you roll your eyes?

Exaggeration.

6. Your favorite book series?

From my childhood, it would be the Little House on the Prairie books. There are others I loved, such as the Anne of Green Gables series and Nancy Drew, but none I reread as much as Little House.

7. Why did you choose your profession?

I've always loved helping people and nursing fascinated me. I grew up reading Cherry Ames and Sue Barton books, and the nursing details fascinated me. Then I was a Candystriper with some nurses that let me shadow them, not just deliver water and mail, and I was completely hooked.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I stumbled across this old poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge the other day, which he wrote in 1834. Such an important reminder for our self-centered worlds!

Know Thyself

Know thyself -- and is this the prime
And heaven-sprung adage of the olden time! --
Say, canst thou make thyself? -- Learn first that trade; --
Haply thou mayst know what thyself has made.
What hast thou, Man, that thou dar'st call thine own? --
What is there in thee, Man, that can be known? --
Dark fluxion, all unfixable by thought,
A phantom dim of past and future wrought,
Vain sister of the worm, -- life, death, soul, clod --
Ignore thyself, and strive to know thy God!

Mermaid Moon

Mermaid Moon
(A Sunset Cove Novel)
Colleen Coble
(Harper Collins/Thomas Nelson)
ISBN: 978-1401690281
January 2016/352 pages/$15.99
Mallory’s mother died fifteen years ago. But her father’s last words on the phone were unmistakable: “Find . . . mother.”

Shame and confusion have kept Mallory Davis from her home for the last fifteen years, but when her dad mysteriously dies on his mail boat route, she doesn’t have any choice but to go back to Mermaid Point.

Mallory believes her father was murdered and childhood sweetheart Kevin O’Connor, game warden in Downeast Maine, confirms her suspicions. But Kevin is wary of helping Mallory in her search. She broke his heart—and left—without a word, years ago.

When Mallory begins receiving threats on her own life—and her beloved teenage daughter, Haylie—their search intensifies. There’s a tangled web within the supposed murder, and it involves much more than what meets the eye.

As answers begin to fall into place, Mallory realizes her search is about more than finding her father’s killer—it is also about finding herself again . . . and possibly about healing what was broken so long ago with Kevin. She just has to stay alive long enough to put all the pieces together.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR

USA Today bestselling author Colleen Coble has written several romantic suspense novels including Tidewater Inn, Rosemary Cottage, and the Mercy Falls, Lonestar, and Rock Harbor series. Her books have sold more than 3 million copies.
Find out more about Colleen at her website.


MY THOUGHTS

Colleen Coble is known for her great romantic suspense novels, and Mermaid Moon is one of her best. Engaging characters that are easy to like populate this intricate story. Coble's expert relational and plot development intertwine to create powerful emotion and tension that rise from the pages, which practically turn themselves. While I am a pretty astute reader, often catching subtle clues that let me guess a story's outcome, continual twists and turns keep this resolution buried until the very end. Readers of the first book in this series, The Inn at Ocean's Edge, will enjoy returning to this setting, although the two books stand alone. Grab your copy of Mermaid Moon today!


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free from Harper Collins/Thomas Nelson and Litfuse Publicity Group for a blog tour. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”


To move forward past a life of shame and confusion, Mallory Davis must go back to Mermaid Point to find out who murdered her father in Colleen Coble's new book, Mermaid Moon. As answers begin to fall into place, Mallory realizes her search is about more than finding her father’s killer—it is also about finding herself again . . . and possibly about healing what was broken so long ago with Kevin. She just has to stay alive long enough to put all the pieces together.

Celebrate the release of Mermaid Moon with Colleen and a mystery e-reader prize pack giveaway!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of Mermaid Moon
• A Kindle Fire
• A mermaid necklace
• A pair of mermaid earrings

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry! The giveaway ends on February 1st. The winner will be announced February 2nd on the Litfuse blog.

Undaunted Hope - plus Jody Hedlund Q&A!

Undaunted Hope
Beacons of Hope, Book Three
Jody Hedlund
(Bethany House Publishers)
ISBN: 9780764212390
December 2015/384 pages/$14.99
1871
Eagle Harbor, Michigan

In a Town Mired in Darkness,
She May Shine the Light They Need

Running from the mistakes of her past, Tessa Taylor heads to the uppermost reaches of Michigan, planning to serve as the new teacher to the children of miners. She quickly learns the town had requested a male teacher, but Percival Updegraff, superintendent and chief mine clerk, says she can stay through winter since it's too late to replace her. Tessa can't help but thank him and say she is in his debt.

Determined to make herself irreplaceable once spring thaw arrives, Tessa throws herself into her work, and soon two students have decided Miss Taylor is the right match for their grieving father. At the same time, charming assistant lightkeeper Alex Bjorklund makes his interest known, surprising Tessa, who has never had men fight for her hand before. But not all is well as she feels that someone is tracking her every move, and she may not be able to escape the trap that has been laid for her.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jody Hedlund is the author of over a dozen novels, including Love Unexpected, Captured by Love, Unending Devotion, The Preacher's Bride, and A Noble Groom, winner of the 2014 Carol Award for historical romance. She received a bachelor's degree from Taylor University and a master's from the University of Wisconsin, both in social work. She lives in Michigan with her husband and five children. She loves hearing from readers on Facebook and on her blog at www.jodyhedlund.com.


MY THOUGHTS

I am loving Jody Hedlund's Beacons of Hope series that feature historic lighthouses in Michigan. Undaunted Hope takes a bit of a different twist as the main character, Tessa, is a teacher rather than a lightkeeper. Hedlund once again drew me in with her complex characters and intriguing story. The frozen isolation of Michigan's Upper Peninsula makes a perfect setting for this novel, and I suggest reading it under a blanket by a fireplace! Plenty of twists, turns, and heart-stopping incidents made this page-turner hard to put down. Be prepared for laughter, sighs, tears, and gasps as you settle in for a spell at Eagle Harbor. And while this novel stands alone, those who have read the previous books in this series are in for a delightful surprise with some unexpected connections. Adventure, romance, and a bit of suspense combine to make this a compelling and thoroughly satisfying read. Don't miss Undaunted Hope!


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free from Jody Hedlund and Baker/Bethany House Publishers for a blog tour. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”


Q & A WITH JODY HEDLUND

1. How did you come up with the idea for Undaunted Hope?
For this third book in my Michigan lighthouse series, I wanted to pick a location that was different than the other books. The first two books, Love Unexpected and Hearts Made Whole, are set in the "Mitten" of Michigan. So to add variety to the series, I decided to place Undaunted Hope in the Upper Peninsula on Lake Superior.

In doing my research of Michigan lighthouses, I learned that there are lighthouses dotted all over the coast of Lake Superior since it was such a treacherous lake to traverse and an important place for steamers due to the rich natural resources that were available. As I studied the various lighthouses, I finally landed upon Eagle Harbor Lighthouse in the Keweenau Peninsula because not only was the area rich in resources, but it was rich in history and the makings of a really great story!

2. Each of your lighthouse books is set at a real lighthouse that once existed in Michigan or still does exist. Tell us a little about the lighthouse in this third book.
Yes, my first lighthouse book (Love Unexpected) is set at Presque Isle which is on Lake Huron on the north eastern side of the state. The second book (Hearts Made Whole) is set at Windmill Point Lighthouse that once existed on Lake St. Clair near Detroit.

Undaunted Hope is set at Eagle Harbor Lighthouse which is in the far north of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. In fact, it's about as far north as you can go in Michigan. During the mining boom in the Upper Peninsula, Eagle Harbor saw a rapid increase in the commerce in the area with ships arriving to supply miners as well as load up the valuable copper that was being mined. Due to the dangers of a rocky ledge in the harbor, the Eagle Harbor Lighthouse was established in 1851 to guide ships safely to and from the docks in the harbor.

3. What special research did you do in writing Undaunted Hope?
As I wrote this third book in the Beacon's of Hope Lighthouse Series, I had the wonderful privilege of visiting Eagle Harbor and the lighthouse that serves as the setting for this book. In fact, I was able to stay for a whole week in the assistant keeper's cottage that now sits next to the lighthouse.

The large covered front porch of the assistant keeper's house overlooked Eagle Harbor and Lake Superior, so it was a gorgeous view! Every morning I woke up to the sound of the crashing waves and every evening I watched the sunset. It was one of the most beautiful, peaceful places I've ever stayed.

Not only did I get to do in-depth research on the lighthouse (and walk around inside it as many times as I wanted!), but I also was able to research the entire area taking lots of pictures of the lake, flowers, wildlife, and the numerous waterfalls throughout the peninsula. It's a remote wilderness area of Michigan, sparsely populated, and cold! I visited at the end of June and brought short sleeve shirts. I had to wear sweatshirts almost every day instead.

4. In your other lighthouse books, the heroines are inspired by real women keepers. Did you use a real light keeper as part of the inspiration for the heroine in Undaunted Hope?
Most of us gravitate toward the stories that glamorize lighthouse life and honor the women who served in them. That's only natural. And I hope in my other two books in this series, I give those women the laud due to them.

However, I didn't want to neglect the women who served in lighthouses whose experiences weren't quite as glamorous, who served even though they disliked the duty. One woman in particular inspired this book. Her name was Cecelia Carlson McLean who was married to keeper Alexander McLean who served at various lighthouses around Lake Superior. When she was interviewed later in her life, Cecelia was very forthright in stating that she hated lighthouses, that they were lonely places, and that she'd had to sacrifice a great deal to live in them. She claimed that if she had to do it over, she wouldn't choose life in a lighthouse.

Of course her story made me think about the many hardships that light keeping entailed, especially for women–the extreme isolation, the lack of luxury, and the constant threat of danger. So out of Cecelia's hardships, I created Tessa and tried to imagine the underlying motivations for what might cause someone to hate lighthouses. Although I had Tessa work through some of her fears and dislike of lighthouses, I'm sure most women like Cecelia took their resentment of lighthouses with them to the grave.

5. What do you hope readers take away from Undaunted Hope?
I pray that this story will encourage readers with renewed hope. Just like Tessa, I hope that readers will find the strength to face their fears. We all have things that frighten us, and many times we find it easier to run away from those things that scare us. Sometimes, however, God calls us to walk directly into that thing we fear most. He wants us to know that during those times, he's there walking right beside us and that he'll help us come out on the other side stronger as a result.

6. You have a fourth lighthouse book releasing in June of 2016. Can you tell us a little bit more about this story? Is it connected to your first three lighthouse books?

The fourth book is titled Forever Safe. Like the others, it can completely stand alone. There's no need to read the others first to enjoy the story.

However, the main character in Forever Safe does make an appearance at the end of the third lighthouse book, Undaunted Hope. I won't say who it is, so that I don't spoil the surprise for those who haven't read Undaunted Hope. But I hope that readers will be excited about this particular character getting a story in Forever Safe.

7.You have a busy publication schedule in 2016! In addition to Undaunted Hope, can you tell us what other books we have to look forward to?

My second young adult novel, A Daring Sacrifice, releases in March. I'm super excited about this reverse twist on the Robin Hood story set during medieval times.

In June, Forever Safe releases. This is a fourth lighthouse book that involves a very special character. While the first three books are set at all Michigan lighthouses, this fourth book moves to the East Coast to Race Point Lighthouse on Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

Finally in October, my second historical will release. Following in the same vein as my Luther and Katharina book, I will be bringing to life another historical couple. I hope to reveal the couple, title, and cover in the next few months!


8.Do you have any parting words?
I love hearing from readers! Make sure you stop by one of these places and say hello!

I hang out on Facebook here: Author Jody Hedlund
I also love to chat on Twitter: @JodyHedlund
My home base is at my website: jodyhedlund.com
Find me on Instagram: instagram.com/jodyhedlund/
Come pin with me on Pinterest: pinterest.com/jodyhedlund/pins/

With This Ring?

With This Ring?
A Novella Collection of Proposals Gone Awry
Karen Witemeyer, Mary Connealy,
Regina Jennings, Melissa Jagears
(Bethany House)
ISBN: 978-0764217722
December 2015/368 pages/$14.99
Sometimes Love is Found in the Most Unexpected Places!

Love isn't always a fairy tale, and it doesn't always go as planned. Sometimes the best stories, though, are the ones that are the most unexpected. Join Karen Witemeyer, Mary Connealy, Regina Jennings, and Melissa Jagears for novellas that celebrate the power of love to triumph . . . even when circumstances go awry!

The Husband Maneuver by Karen Witemeyer
When ranch foreman Daniel Barrett seems ready to leave her life forever, Marietta Hawkins decides to grab the reins on their relationship. But to have any hope of maneuvering him into a proposal, she has to act fast or risk losing him completely.

Her Dearly Unintended by Regina Jennings
Josiah Huckabee just wanted to make sure Katie Ellen Watson was safe, but when the only bridge to her farm is washed out, the two find themselves alone. Alone, that is, until a menacing stranger appears. Maybe by pretending to be newlyweds, they'll save their reputations--but can pretending to be in love turn into the real thing?

Runaway Bride by Mary Connealy
Hired to help Carrie Halsey escape from a dangerous man intent on making her his wife, Big John Conroy never expected the job to interrupt his solitary Texas Ranger life. But now that he's promised to keep Carrie safe, he discovers he may just want to make a few more promises.

Engaging the Competition by Melissa Jagears
Harrison Gray and tomboy Charlotte Andrews have been rivals for years. With Charlotte intended for someone else, it seems they'll never settle their differences until an accident changes things completely. When Charlotte breaks Harrison's glasses--without which he's nearly blind--she must help with his teaching position, and working together forces these former adversaries to reconsider everything.


Read an excerpt.


ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Winner of the HOLT Medallion and the Carol Award and a finalist for the RITA and Christy Award, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer writes historical romance to give the world more happily-ever-afters. Karen makes her home in Texas, with her husband and three children. Learn more about Karen and her books at www.karenwitemeyer.com.

Mary Connealy writes "romantic comedies with cowboys" and is celebrated for her fun, zany, action-packed style. She has over half a million books sold. She is the author of the popular series Wild at Heart, Kincaid Brides, Trouble in Texas, Lassoed in Texas, Sophie's Daughters, and many other books. Mary lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero. Learn more at www.maryconnealy.com.

Regina Jennings is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in English and a history minor. She is the author of A Most Inconvenient Marriage, Sixty Acres and a Bride, and Caught in the Middle, and contributed a novella to A Match Made in Texas. Regina has worked at the Mustang News and First Baptist Church of Mustang, along with time at the Oklahoma National Stockyards and various livestock shows. She now lives outside Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, with her husband and four children and can be found online at www.reginajennings.com.

Melissa Jagears, an ESL teacher by trade and the author of A Bride for Keeps, A Bride in Store, and A Bride at Last, is a stay-at-home mother on a tiny Kansas farm with a fixer-upper house. She's a member of ACFW and CROWN fiction marketing, and her passion is to help Christian believers mature in their faith and judge rightly. Find her online at www.melissajagears.com.

MY THOUGHTS

I love that authors are releasing novellas to bridge the often year-long wait between releases of their full-length novels, and joining forces with one another in a collection makes it that much better! While I don't recall previously reading a novel by Melissa Jagears, Karen Witemeyer, Regina Jennings, and Mary Connealy are all favorites of mine, so I knew these stories would be a delight, and I was right. Entertaining plots and endearing characters immediately swept me into these tales. Brief enough to read in an evening yet long enough to have a twist or two, these novellas are a perfect way to try out a new author or enjoy more of a favorite. Curl up on a winter evening with this charming collection!



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free from Baker/Bethany House for a blog tour. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

At Love's Bidding

At Love's Bidding
Regina Jennings
(Bethany House)
ISBN: 978-0764211416
December 2015/352 pages/$14.99
She Sells Priceless Antiques.
He Sells Livestock by the Pound.
Is He Really the Man to Make a Bid for Her Heart?

After helping her grandfather at their Boston auction house, Miranda Wimplegate discovers she's accidentally sold a powerful family's prized portrait to an anonymous bidder. Desperate to appease the people who could ruin them forever, they track it to the Missouri Ozarks and make an outlandish offer to buy the local auction house and all its holdings before the painting can move again.

Upon crossing the country, however, Miranda and her grandfather discover their new auction house doesn't deal in fine antiques, but in livestock. And its frustratingly handsome manager, Wyatt Ballentine, is annoyed to discover his fussy new bosses don't know a thing about the business he's single-handedly kept afloat. Faced with more heads of cattle than they can count--but no mysterious painting--Miranda and Wyatt form an unlikely but charged partnership to try and prevent a bad situation from getting worse.


Read an excerpt.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Regina Jennings is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in English and a history minor. She is the author of A Most Inconvenient Marriage, Sixty Acres and a Bride, and Caught in the Middle, and contributed a novella to A Match Made in Texas and With This Ring?. Regina has worked at the Mustang News and First Baptist Church of Mustang, along with time at the Oklahoma National Stockyards and various livestock shows. She now lives outside Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, with her husband and four children and can be found online at www.reginajennings.com.

MY THOUGHTS

Regina Jennings quickly became one of my favorite authors with her debut novel several years ago, and I have enjoyed reading each of her books since that first release. This latest novel combines romance and mystery in a tale containing both dramatic and humourous moments. Jennings convolutes the circumstances with the contrast and clash of class distinctions as well as the disparity between provincial and urban cultures, adding conflict and tension. Perhaps the most meaningful aspect for me, however, is one you don't often see in historical fiction: that of an elderly character displaying dementia and the effect on the family. Jennings portrays this beautifully as Miranda, the community, and her family deal with the awkwardness, embarrassment, spiritual questioning, and decisions that come with such a situation, played out in an era when little was known about such a disease. I know God will use the nuggets of truth tucked in this story to minister to someone on a similar journey. Act now to get your copy of At Love's Bidding before it's going, going, gone!


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free from Regina Jennings and Baker/Bethany House Publishers for a blog tour. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Q & A WITH REGINA JENNINGS

1. Tell us about At Love’s Bidding.
At Love’s Bidding is the story of a Boston art appraiser who works in her family’s auction house. Miranda Wimplegate loves handling the beautiful objects that come through their office, but when a family heirloom of a wealthy customer goes missing, the family’s livelihood is endangered. Miranda and her grandfather track the painting down to the Missouri Ozarks and make an outlandish offer to buy the local auction house if they’ll promise not to sell anything until they arrive.

What they don’t know is that the auction house doesn’t deal in fine art, it deals in livestock. And its manager, ruggedly handsome Wyatt Ballentine, is frustrated to discover his fussy new bosses don’t know a thing about the business he’s single-handedly kept afloat. Faced with more cattle than they can count—but no mysterious painting—Miranda and Wyatt form an unlikely but charged partnership to try and salvage a bad situation getting worse.

2. What’s different about this romance?
Miranda is very class conscious, as she’s been forced to remember her station as she deals with her wealthy clients in Boston. Wyatt has always lived in the mountains, and although he’d be completely lost in Miranda’s world, he doesn’t think he’s any man’s inferior. Poor Miranda feels obligated to educate him on his place in the world—a place which happens to be somewhere below hers—while at the same time wishing she wasn’t bound by those same limits.

Also, this story has a strong mystery running throughout it. Who has the missing painting and what’s its significance? The answer to that could change everything for Wyatt and Miranda.

3. So this is an auction story? What’s so great about an auction?
There’s nothing like a live auction, especially when the stakes are high. My grandpa owned a couple of auction houses in Missouri, and growing up I was a frequent guest. My dad also made his living as a livestock dealer. He bought hogs at auctions and, when he opened his own buying station, I jumped in to help with bookkeeping and running the scales.

More recently, we bought our house at an auction. Those bids were coming so fast. My heart was pounding. Just a few more bids and it’d be out of our price range, but then everything stopped, the seconds stretched out…and no one else bid. We got the house. It was quite a dramatic moment.

4. So you already knew about auctions. What else did you research for this story?
Like Wyatt, I know about livestock auctions, but I had to brush up on my antiques so I could adequately describe the pieces that Miranda worked with in Boston. I dug out my art appreciation books from college and watched Antiques Roadshow every chance I got.

Another fun topic I researched was phrenology. For those who aren’t familiar with nineteenth-century quack-medicine, a phrenologist supposedly could tell everything about a person’s character by feeling the shape and lumps on their skull. As you can imagine, that was a hoot to study, and even more fun to create a character who is constantly sharing his science.

But now I find myself gazing in wonder at bare heads. Is that a bad thing?

Thin Ice

Thin Ice
(Men of Valor, Book 2)
Irene Hannon
(Revell)
ISBN: 978-0800724535
January 2016/400 pages/$14.99

If Ginny Reed is still alive--who is the woman buried in her grave?

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.

Bestselling author and three-time RITA Award winner Irene Hannon pulls out all the stops in this high-stakes thriller that races to a bone-chilling finish.

Read an excerpt.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Irene Hannon is the bestselling author of more than forty-five novels, including That Certain Summer, One Perfect Spring, and the Heroes of Quantico, Guardians of Justice, and Private Justice series. Her books have been honored with three coveted RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America, a Carol Award, three HOLT Medallions, a Daphne du Maurier Award, two Reviewers' Choice Awards from RT Book Reviews magazine, a Retailers' Choice Award, a Booksellers' Best Award, and a National Readers' Choice Award. In addition, she is a two-time Christy Award finalist, and Booklist included one of her novels in its "Top 10 Inspirational Fiction" list for 2011. She lives in Missouri. Learn more at www.irenehannon.com.


MY THOUGHTS

Fair warning regarding this brand-new release from Irene Hannon: don't plan on doing anything else once you start it! Beginning with the blazing opening of the prologue, this spine-tingling, hold-your-breath novel kept me reading "one more chapter" until I had finished it. It's impossible not to like Christy after all she has been through, and Lance has all the attributes of a worthy hero. Irene Hannon paces the story perfectly, ratcheting up the suspense in incremental segments as the story builds, and providing glimpses into the perpetrator's mind. Hannon is at the top of her game with this novel, and this may be her best one yet. Don't miss Thin Ice!


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free from Baker/Revell Publishing for a blog tour. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Stars Over Sunset Boulevard

Stars Over Sunset Boulevard
Susan Meissner
(NAL/Penguin)
ISBN: 9780-451475992
January 2016/400 pages/$15.00
In this new novel from the acclaimed author of Secrets of a Charmed Life, two women working in Hollywood during its Golden Age discover the joy and heartbreak of true friendship.

Los Angeles, Present Day. When an iconic hat worn by Scarlett O’Hara in Gone With the Wind ends up in Christine McAllister’s vintage clothing boutique by mistake, her efforts to return it to its owner take her on a journey more enchanting than any classic movie…

Los Angeles, 1938. Violet Mayfield sets out to reinvent herself in Hollywood after her dream of becoming a wife and mother falls apart, and lands a job on the film-set of Gone With the Wind. There, she meets enigmatic Audrey Duvall, a once-rising film star who is now a fellow secretary. Audrey’s zest for life and their adventures together among Hollywood’s glitterati enthrall Violet…until each woman’s deepest desires collide. What Audrey and Violet are willing to risk, for themselves and for each other, to ensure their own happy endings will shape their friendship, and their lives, far into the future.

Read an excerpt.

Learn more about this novel from Susan Meissner on her blog as she answers the question, Why that hat?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Susan Meissner is a former managing editor of a weekly newspaper and an award-winning columnist. She is the award-winning author of Secrets of a Charmed Life, A Fall of Marigolds, and many other novels. She lives with her husband near San Diego. Learn more at her website.

MY THOUGHTS

Susan Meissner once again demonstrates why she is on my short-list of must-read authors with her latest release. Intertwining the contemporary and historical in her trademark style, Stars over Sunset Boulevard transports the reader between a boutique in present day Los Angeles and the iconic Hollywood of the late 1930's amidst the filming of a classic movie. Meissner creates complex and compelling characters in this story that portrays the dynamics of a friendship between two women, each seeking her heart's desires. Known for her rich prose and literary talent, the author engages the heart and the mind in this intriguing novel that begs to be read again and again to capture the nuances and imagery tucked inside. Don't miss Stars Over Sunset Boulevard!


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free from NAL/Penguin and Susan Meissner for a blog tour. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

A Thousand Shall Fall

A Thousand Shall Fall
(Shenandoah Valley Saga)
Andrea Boeshaar
(Kregel Publications)
ISBN: 978-0825443817
November 2015/256 pages/$14.99
A story of love, hope, and healing set in the midst of the Civil War

Nineteen-year-old Carrie Ann Bell is independent and spirited. The only thing she really fears are the Union soldiers fighting against her Confederate friends. When her youngest sister runs away from home, brave Carrie Ann is determined to find her and bring her back. Disguised as a soldier, she sets off--only to find she's fallen into the hands of the enemy.

Her childhood friend Confederate Major Joshua Blevins has warned her against these Yankees: they're all devils, ready to inflict evil on unsuspecting young women. When Colonel Peyton Collier arrests her for her impersonation of an officer, it seems to confirm all her fears.

Soon, though, she finds herself drawn to the handsome, gallant colonel. He rescued her, protected her, and has been every inch the gentleman. Carrie Ann discovers that her foe has become her ally--and more than that, someone she could love. But the arrival of Joshua in the Union camp as a spy will test her loyalties. Will she protect someone who has been like family or be loyal to this stranger to whom she wants to offer her heart? When her world is being torn apart around her, whom should she trust?

Set against the backdrop of the American Civil War, A Thousand Shall Fall is framed around compelling characters and a very romantic setting in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. Andrea Boeshaar’s extensive research guarantees historical accuracy and romance genre enthusiasts and Civil War buffs alike will enjoy the Christian perspectives on actual historical events.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Andrea Boeshaar is the cofounder of American Christian Fiction Writers and runs "The Writer's ER," a coaching service for writers. She is the author of thirty published works, including Threads of Faith, a finalist in the Inspirational Reader's Choice Awards. Andrea is also the author of a popular devotional and regularly blogs on a number of sites. Find out more at www.andreaboeshaar.com.

MY THOUGHTS

Civil War novels have always been one of my favorite genres so I was delighted to have the opportunity to read this first book in Andrea Boeshaar's new series. I thoroughly enjoyed another of her series several years ago, and this one promises to be equally satisfying. Boeshaar successfully puts a fresh twist on the premise of a young woman disguised as a soldier and the result is a compelling tale that transported me to the Shenandoah Valley and the heart-rending conflict experienced by so many who care for those on both sides of the war. Rich historical detail reflects the author's comprehensive research yet blends seamlessly into the story and doesn't weigh it down with excessive details. Captivating characters, riveting events, and a gripping romance combine in this page-turner that simply whetted my appetite for more of this series. Add this to your reading list today!


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free from Kregel Publications for a blog tour. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

ACFW's New Releases for January 2016

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


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])