Must-Have February Releases

        I can’t believe it’s even January already, and yet here it is, time for my post all about the books releasing in February, which is somehow just days away. Time is flying by, but don’t let it cause you to miss out on all the wonderful books that are being published! Here are the February releases I’m looking forward to.

Joshua’s Mission

        Joshua Kline travels from his farm in Oklahoma to offer aid to an Englisch town on the gulf of Texas after a category 4 hurricane has ravaged the area. He brings his brother with him, who needs a change of environment. The last thing he wants for Alton is another brush with the law. He is pleasantly surprised when he hears that Becca Troyer, the bishop’s granddaughter, plans on joining their team.

        What will Joshua find when he arrives in Texas? A lack of electricity, certainly, which poses little problem for the Amish volunteers as they help restore order from destruction. But a budding romance? A call from God? And a possible healing of his relationship with Alton?

        Joshua’s Mission is the second book in Vannetta Chapman’s Plain and Simple Miracles series, coming after Anna’s Healing. Although I didn’t get the chance to read the first novel because it wasn’t yet at my library, I have enjoyed multiple of Vannetta’s novels in the past—Murder Simply Brewed, Murder Tightly Knit, and Murder Freshly Baked, to be exact—so I am hopeful that this book will be another wonderful example of her writing talents.

You’re the One That I Want

        Owen Christiansen has been in a downward spiral since an injury ended his NHL career. But a job on an Alaskan crabbing boat offers a fresh start…maybe even a shot at romance with Elise “Scotty” McFlynn, the captain’s daughter.

        Used to being one of the guys, to never relying on anyone, Scotty doesn’t believe in happily ever after—especially with someone like Owen. Her instinct is confirmed when Casper Christiansen arrives to drag his prodigal brother home, bringing with him a truckload of family drama—and even worse, the news that Casper is wanted for questioning in connection to a crime back in Minnesota.

        But Owen is more than the sum of his mistakes, a truth both he and Scotty discover when she escorts both brothers to Deep Haven as part of her new job on the Anchorage police force. Thrust into an unfamiliar world of family, faith, and fresh starts, Scotty begins to see potential for a happy ending…if she’s brave enough to embrace it.

        You’re the One That I Want is the sixth book in Susan May Warren’s Christiansen Family series, coming after Take a Chance on Me, It Had to Be You, When I Fall in Love, Always on My Mind, and The Wonder of You. I read the first four novels a few months ago, and absolutely loved each and every one of them, so much in fact, that I added all of them to my all-time favorites list. Then this past month I finally had the chance to read the fifth novel, and I fell in love with the Christiansen’s all over again. I cannot tell you how much I enjoy reading about them, so I cannot wait for this final installment to release.

On Lone Star Trail

        If there’s one thing Gillian Hodge never wants to see again, it’s a man on a motorcycle. Her last encounter with one left her right hand crushed, ending her promising career as a concert pianist. But as she heads to Rainbow’s End Resort, a sudden thunderstorm causes a motorcycle to crash in front of her.

        When TJ Benjamin’s wife died, he lost more than his best friend; he lost his faith. He’s spent the past year wandering the country on a motorcycle, trying not to think about his future. When he finds himself stranded with a busted bike and a reluctant rescuer, he has to wonder about God’s sense of humor.

        Can this woman without a future and this man running from his past find romance in the present? Or are they too tied to the way life used to be?

        On Lone Star Trail is the third book in Amanda Cabot’s Texas Crossroads series, coming after At Bluebonnet Lake and In Firefly Valley. Although I wasn’t able to read the second novel, I did get to read At Bluebonnet Lake, and I definitely enjoyed it. I may not describe it as my favorite book in the world, but I did love the story and am looking forward to getting to read more in the series.

The Prophetess

        Outspoken and fearless, Deborah has faith in God but struggles to see the potential her own life holds. As an Israelite woman, she’ll marry, have a family, and seek to teach her children about Adonai—and those tasks seem to be more than enough to occupy her time. But God has another plan for her. Israel has been under the near constant terror of Canaan’s armies for twenty years, and now God has called Deborah to deliver her people from this oppression. Will her family understand? Will her people even believe God’s calling on her life? And can the menace of Canaan be stopped?

        The Prophetess is the second book in Jill Eileen Smith’s Daughters of the Promised Land series, coming after The Crimson Cord. Although I have had bad experiences with Bible story retellings in the past, I decided to give Jill a chance, and I am so, so glad I did. The Crimson Cord was well worth reading, gave me such a great idea of what Rahab's life really could have looked like, and caused me to be excited to read any and all of Jill's novels in the future. Clearly, I cannot wait for this new installment in her series.

The Secret to Hummingbird Cake

When all else fails, turn to the divine taste of hummingbird cake.

        In the South you always say “yes, ma’am” and “no, ma’am.” You know everybody’s business. Football is a lifestyle not a pastime. Food—especially dessert—is almost a religious experience. And you protect your friends as fiercely as you protect your family—even if the threat is something you cannot see.

        In this spot-on Southern novel brimming with wit and authenticity, you’ll laugh alongside lifelong friends, navigate the sometimes rocky path of marriage, and roll through the outrageous curveballs that life sometimes throws…from devastating pain to absolute joy. And if you’re lucky, you just may discover the secret to hummingbird cake along the way.

        The Secret to Hummingbird Cake is Celeste Fletcher McHale’s debut novel, so I cannot rave to you about her writing, because I haven’t really experienced it yet, but based on her synopsis I think it is going to be good. This novel sounds extremely wonderful and intriguing, and I absolutely love anything Southern related. As any good Southerner would, of course. I am highly anticipating getting to enjoy Celeste’s debut novel, and am hoping to hear of more of her works soon.

If I Run

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 bring 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.

        If I Run by Terri Blackstock sounds absolutely amazing, doesn’t it? Although I haven't yet read any of her novels, I am excited to make this one my first, as I am sure that it will definitely be something I enjoy. 

Room for Hope

In a desperate time, can Neva find forgiveness for a grievous wrong—and make room for hope?

        Neva Shilling has a heavy load of responsibility while her husband travels to neighboring communities and sells items from his wagon. In his absence, she faithfully runs the Shilling Mercantile, working to keep their business strong as the Depression takes its toll, and caring for their twins.

        When a wagon pulls up after supper, Neva and her children rush out—and into the presence of the deputy driving a wagon carrying three young children. The deputy shocks her with the news that Warren and his wife have died, insisting it was their last request that the three children go live with “Aunt Neva.”

        Neva’s heart is shattered as she realizes that Warren’s month-long travels were excuses for visits with his secret family. She wants nothing more than to forget Warren, but can she abandon these innocent children to an orphanage. Yet if she takes them in, will she ever be able to see them as more than evidence of her husband’s betrayal and love them the way God does?

        Room for Hope by Kim Vogel Sawyer sounds so completely intriguing, doesn’t it? I have read so, so many of Kim’s novels in the past—the latest being When Mercy Rains and When Grace Sings—and have loved each and every one of them. Clearly that makes it easy for me to be almost 100 percent sure that this book will be one that I will enjoy, so I had no reservations about adding it to this list. I cannot wait for this novel’s release!

Kissed by a Cowboy

Cassidy was looking for a home and a place to belong…not for a cowboy to steal her heart.

        Having lived through her parent’s endless string of “matrimonial bliss gone wrong”, Cassidy Starr knows when the odds are not in her favor. Divorced and humiliated, her faith on rocky ground, Cassidy is through with love. She’s been bucked off that horse far too many times. Instead, she returns to Wishing Springs, Texas, and the rundown farm she’s inherited from her great aunt Roxie. She’ll reopen the strawberry farm and a bed and breakfast and follow in her aunt’s footsteps, remaining forever-independent, happy…and single.

        Rancher Jarrod Monahan’s hands are full running the ranch, looking after his ailing grandfather, and chasing down a group of rustlers on the loose. He’s pushed his longing for a family to the bottom of his list of priorities. Besides, he was in love once but ran scared and lost his shot at happiness. But suddenly, the biggest regret of his life has moved in next door with a wounded heart, determined to become a spinster…and that’s a challenge that Jarrod can’t pass up.

        Jarrod sets his mind to breaking down the walls around Cassidy’s stubborn heart. How can he show her that a cowboy’s kiss lasts forever? For the good folks of Wishing Springs, falling in love has never been so much fun to witness.

        Kissed by a Cowboy is the third book in Debra Clopton’s Four of Hearts Ranch Romance series, coming after Betting on Hope and Counting on a Cowboy. Although I didn’t get a chance to read the second novel because it wasn’t yet at my library—even though I’m absolutely dying to be able to devour it—I did read the first installment and LOVED it. Debra is a wonderful author, and I cannot wait to finally be able to read more of her novels!

        Well, those are the releases I am looking forward to, and that you—and I—absolutely must have! What about you? What are some February releases you cannot wait for?

        Happy reading!

To see where I’m linking up, check out my Where I Party page.

All credit for the italicized synopses goes to each author and their respective publishers.