Must-Have October Releases + A Linkup

I can’t believe it’s almost October already! This year just seems to be flying by, and now I find myself counting down the days to my birthday, even though I feel like my last birthday was just days ago! The best part about this month is that there are TONS of fantastic books coming out, and since it’s my birthday month, I deserve to purchase as many of them as I want. I mean, it is my birthday, after all. And these are quite a few books that I just have to have. So, let me tell you all about them! Oh, and as always, if you want to see any of my full reviews of some of the already-released books I mention, just click on the coral colored titles!

The Cautious Maiden

Violet Hawthorne is beyond mortified when her brother Ezra turns their deceased parent’s New England country inn into a brother to accommodate the nearby lumberjacks; but when Violet’s own reputation is compromised, the inn becomes the least of her worries. In an effort to salvage her good name, Violet is forced into an engagement with a taciturn acquaintance; Vance Everstone. As she prepares for a society wedding, Violet learns that her brother had staked her hand in marriage in a headed poker game with the unsavory Rowen Steele, and Ezra had lost. Now, Rowen is determined to cash in on his IOU. With danger stalking her and a new fiancé who hides both his emotion and his past, Violet must decide who to trust and who to leave behind.

The Cautious Maiden is the fourth book in Dawn Crandall’s Everstone Chronicles series, coming after The Hesitant Heiress, The Bound Heart, and The Captive Imposter. I haven’t gotten the chance to read any of Dawn’s books, but I have heard great things about this series, and I am hopeful that I will get to read all of them someday soon!

The Devoted

Bright, curious, and restless, Ruthie Stoltzfus loves her family but is stuck in a sea of indecision about her future: Should she stay Amish? Or should she leave? She’s done all she can to prepare to go—passed the GED, saved her money—but she can’t quite set her journey into motion.

Patrick Kelly is a young man a journey of his own. He’s come to Stoney Ridge to convert to the Amish and has given himself thirty days to learn the language, drive a buggy, and adapt to “everything Plain.” Time, to Patrick, is of the essence. Every moment is to be cherished, especially the hours he spends with Ruthie, his Penn Dutch tutor.

Ruthie’s next-door neighbor and cunning ex-boyfriend, Luke Schrock, is drawn to trouble like a moth to a flame. Rebellious, headstrong, defiant, Luke will do anything to win Ruthie back—anything—and Patrick Kelly is getting in his way.

The Devoted is the third book in Suzanne Wood’s Fisher’s The Bishop’s Family series, coming after The Imposter and The Quieting. I really, really enjoyed both of the previous books in the series, and I am really excited to read this story as I am dying to know what happens for Ruthie!

Waves of Mercy

Geesje de Jonge crossed the ocean at age seventeen with her parents and a small group of immigrants from the Netherlands to settle in the Michigan wilderness. Fifty years later, in 1897, she’s asked to write a memoir of her early experiences as the town celebrates its anniversary. Reluctant at first, she soon uncovers memories and emotions hidden all these years, including the story of her one true love.

At the nearby Hotel Ottawa Resort on the shore of Lake Michigan, twenty-three-year-old Anna Nicholson is trying to ease the pain of a broken engagement to a wealthy Chicago banker. But her time of introspection is disturbed after a violent storm aboard a steamship stirs up memories of a childhood nightmare. As more memories and dreams surface, Anna begins to question who she is and whether she wants to return to her wealthy life in Chicago. When she befriends a young seminary student who is working at the hotel for the summer, she finds herself asking him all the questions that have been troubling her.

Neither Geesje nor Anna, who are different in every possible way, can foresee the life-altering surprises awaiting them before the summer ends.

Although I haven’t yet read any of Lynn Austin’s novels, I have been dying to read a few for quite some time now, as they’ve been recommended to me but I haven’t yet had the chance to pick them up. Since I’ve heard such great things about her books, I’m sure Waves of Mercy would be something I would enjoy!

Can’t Help Falling

Emelia Mason has spent her career finding the dirt on the rich and famous but deep down past this fearless tabloid-reporter façade, there’s a nerdy Narnia-obsessed girl who still can’t resist climbing into wardrobes to check for the magical land on the other side. When a story she writes produces tragic results, she flees to Oxford, England—home to C. S. Lewis—to try and make amends for the damage she has caused.

Peter Carlisle was on his way to become one of Great Britain’s best rowers—until he injured his shoulder and lost his chance at glory. He’s determined to fight his way back to the top even if it means risking permanent disability to do so. It’s the only way he can find his way past failing the one person who never stopped believing in his Olympic dream.

When Peter and Emelia cross paths on her first night in Oxford, the attraction is instant and they find common ground in their shared love of Narnia. But can the lessons from a fantasyland be enough to hold them together when secrets of the real world threaten to tear them apart?

Kara Isaac is another author who is new to me, but I absolutely LOVE anything Narnia related, so I am extremely confident that I would love Can’t Help Falling. It is definitely really high on my to-read list, and I’m super excited for its release!

Home on the Range

Can the brother left behind and the woman who lost hope work together for the good of two precious children?

Nick Stafford stayed in Central Washington, working his family’s large ranch after his brothers left to pursue other passions but his toughest job has always been being a single dad. He watched his father fail at marriage and parenting, so Nick is determined to show him up. He’ll be a better husband, father, and ranch manager than Sam Stafford ever was. Yet despite that commitment, three years after his wife left him, he has a daughter in trouble at school and both girls are facing issues that force him to rethink his stubborn plans.

For Dr. Elsa Andreas, life fell apart when tragedy caused her to abandon her family therapy practice and retreat to the backwoods of Gray’s Glen. Her school principal sister believes Elsa can guide the Stafford girls, and that working with kids will draw Elsa out of her protective bubble.

Summer on the Double S teems with life and adventure. Amidst the bounty of God and land, will Nick and Elsa find the courage to build futures based in faith rather than fear?

Home on the Range is the second book in Ruth Logan Herne’s Double S Ranch series, coming after Back in the Saddle. I really enjoyed the first book in the series, and I am really looking forward to reading Nick’s story!

A Royal Christmas Wedding

It’s been five years since Avery Truitt and Prince Colin of Brighton Kingdom fell in love. But he broke her heart with no explanation.

Fast forward to present day, and Colin is Brighton’s most eligible bachelor now that Cousin Stephen has married. When Avery’s father dies of a heart attack, she puts her life on hold and returns home to St. Simon’s Island, Georgia, to help Mama with the family restaurant. But Mama misses Avery’s sister Susanna, who lives four thousand miles away in Brighton Kingdom—and is expecting her first child. So Mama insists she and Avery spend the Christmas season in Brighton.

Colin and Avery are going to see each other a lot while she’s visiting. But she can’t forget the way he hurt her, and he didn’t expect his feelings to still be so strong.

Avery is torn between considering a future in Brighton and taking a coaching job in Georgia, and Colin is finally pushed to pursue what he really wants. Is it too late to convince Avery that she is his true love? And even if he does, will she make it to the chapel on Christmas Day to give him her heart?

A Royal Christmas Wedding is the fourth book in Rachel Hauck’s Royal Wedding series, coming after Once Upon a Wedding, Princess Ever After, and How to Catch a Prince. I’ve read all the previous books in this series and absolutely loved them, so I’m super excited for this new installment!

Shadow of the Storm

In the depth of the storm’s shadow, only truth can light her way.

Having escaped Egypt with the other Hebrews during the Exodus, Shira is now living in freedom at the foot of Mt. Sinai, upon which rests the fiery glowing Cloud containing the shekinah glory of God. When the people disobey Yahweh and build a golden idol, the ensuing chaos gives Shira an unexpected opportunity to learn the arts of midwifery. Although her mother wishes for her to continue in the family weaving trade, Shira’s gifts shine brightest when she assists with deliveries. In defiance of her mother, Shira pursues her heart’s calling to become an apprentice midwife.

When a delivery goes horribly wrong, Shira finds herself bound to a man who betrayed her, the caretaker of three young children, and the target of a vengeful woman whose husband was killed by Shira’s people, the Levites. As contention between the Hebrew tribes and the foreigners fans the flames of another dangerous rebellion, Shira will come face-to-face with the heartbreak of her past that she has kept hidden for so long. How can she let go of all that has defined her to accept the love she’s denied herself and embrace who she truly is?

Shadow of the Storm is the second book in Connilyn Cossette’s Out From Egypt series, coming after Counted with the Stars. I didn't end up reading the first novel because my schedule was fairly cramped and I couldn't really get into the first few chapters I read, but I am hopeful they will be good novels!

Wild Montana Skies

Search and rescue pilot Kacey Fairing is home on leave in Mercy Falls, Montana, twelve years after she joined the military to escape the mistakes of her past. With a job waiting for her as the new lead pilot of Peak Rescue in Glacier National Park, Kacey hopes to reconnect with the now-teenage daughter she sees only between deployments. What she doesn’t realize is that someone else is also back in town.

Ben King has been building his country music career since the day Kacey shut him out of her life. Now all of that’s on hold when his injured father calls him home to help run Peak Rescue until he’s fully recovered. It doesn’t take long, though, to discover his father’s ulterior motives as Kacey Fairing walks into the house and back into his heart.

With Mercy Falls in a state of emergency due to flash floods, Kacey and Ben are forced to work together to save lives. But when floodwaters turn personal, can they put aside the past to save their future?

Wild Montana Skies is the first book in Susan May Warren’s Montana Rescue series, and is a new series that I am super excited for. I’m a big fan of Susan’s, and have been reading and loving all of her most recent books, and I’m sure this novel will be no exception.

A Baxter Family Christmas

Two years have passed since the terrible car accident that took the life of John Baxter’s daughter, Erin, her husband and three of their four daughters. Prompted by grief, and missing his daughter, John has invited a stranger for Christmas Eve dinner—Kendra Bryant, the transplant recipient who now has Erin’s heart.

In light of their father’s idea, Ashley and her brother Luke don’t think it’s right. They want to protect their ten-year-old-niece, Amy—the only surviving member of the accident. But John is determined and believes meeting this woman is something his deceased daughter would want.

At the same time, Maddie West, the eighteen-year-old daughter of Brooke Baxter West, is praying for meaning this Christmas. Could she find it in a newfound friendship with a boy she never expected to see again? Maddie believes in miracles, especially at Christmastime, but this is a stretch even she can’t imagine.

Meanwhile, Kendra Bryant has been struggling these past few years to find purpose in the tragedy that gave her a second chance. She believes the invitation to see the Baxters and witness their unwavering faith in God can instill peace and happiness back into her life.

I’ve read every one of Karen Kingsbury’s books about the Baxter’s so far, so I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I didn’t add A Baxter Family Christmas to this list. I’m super excited to read it, though her Baxter family novels are harder to read now that she’s killed off some of my favorite characters.

Well, those are my must-have releases for this October! What about you? What are some books you’re looking forward to?

And now on to the linkup!

FEATURES

First, I'm featuring Amy from Amy's Creative Pursuits and her post about why she shares her style on her blog.

Second, I'm featuring Rachel from Garay Treasures and her post about refocusing on your dreams.

RULES

-Link back to Spreading His Grace, Bows and Clothes, or both

-Subscribe to both blogs and follow each of us on at least one social media

Mackenzie: Blog | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter

Sarah: Blog | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Bloglovin'

-This linkup has no theme so we encourage you to link any of your recent posts. Also note that we have the right to delete your link if it isn't appropriate. However, we are super excited to read about your passions and are so glad that you've decided to join us!

An InLinkz Link-up

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.