Featured Releases: August

Happy almost August! Those of you who consistently follow my blog know that at the end of every month I share a post about the books I’m most looking forward to in the upcoming month. While I will be continuing to do that, I’ve decided to give it a little bit of a facelift. Since I hear about so many different books and authors as I do my research for these posts, I could have ridiculously long posts some months if I tried to talk about all of them, and some of them I’m not actually sure I will ever read, which makes me question if I should really recommend them. Therefore, I’ve decided to change my Must-Have posts into Featured Releases posts, where I will feature up to six books that I am personally really excited for and highly recommend. Then, at the end of these posts, I will also list any other Christian fiction novels that I have heard about that are also releasing in that month, but just aren’t very high on my own personal list. That way you can see what books I really recommend, and you can also find out about other novels that I might not personally read but might just be perfect for you!

Unfortunately, this month is a dry month in the book world, as I only have a few books to share, between both my featured releases and the additional ones I have found. So, this will give you a bit of a taste of my new direction, but you’ll have to come back next month to see the real thing in full. Either way, let’s get started talking about books!

Must-Have March Releases

How is it already March? Although I’m definitely not complaining, because that means that next week is spring break and then summer is right around the corner. Besides, there are so many fantastic novels coming out over the next few months, and I am super excited for all of them. The ones on this list are just a taste of all that is to come, so get ready to do a lot of reading over the summer! I know I am!

Must-Have May Releases

I’m back!!! I know, I have been sorrowfully absent over the past few months, but I am finally out of school for the summer so I thought it was time to come back to my blog. I honestly haven’t read a single book—other than textbooks of course—since I finished The Elusive Miss Ellison back in March, so I haven’t even had much to write about! But now I will be reading again, and I will have more time to write about whatever is on my mind, so I am back for at least the summer! And I thought I would kick it off with one of my favorite types of posts to write: my must-have releases! Here are my books for this month.

Must-Have March Releases

So, this is actually kind of late, but my must-have releases posts are some of my absolute favorites, so I still wanted to post my list for March! Even though it’s definitely already March, I figured this wasn’t too late to share the books I can’t wait for this month!

Must-Have December Releases + A Linkup

It’s almost December! And you know what that means: Christmas is right around the corner! I for one cannot wait for the holiday, and I’m looking forward to celebrating with all my family and friends. Plus, I have just a couple more weeks before I’m done with another semester of school, and I couldn’t be more excited about that. Unfortunately for me, as far as this post is concerned, there aren’t very many books releasing this month. However, I am really excited for the few that are! So, let me tell you all about them!

Must-Have November Releases + A Linkup

Somehow it’s already time for another one of my must-have releases posts, but I have to say, I’m kind of glad. First of all, because I really enjoy writing about books I’m looking forward to reading, and secondly, because that means it’s almost November! And that means Thanksgiving, with Christmas right behind it! But for right now, let’s just talk about these books that I can’t wait to read!

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!

Must-Have September Releases + A Linkup

I can’t believe it’s already almost September! I have to say though, I’m really kind of glad, because there are so many fantastic books coming out in the next month! I have a handful of these on my absolutely-have-to-preorder list, because I just have to read them as soon as possible! So, what are these fantastic books, you ask? Just read on to find out! Oh, and as always, just click on the coral colored titles to see my full reviews of any of the previous books in the series!

Must-Have August Releases + A Linkup

How is it already time for another must-have releases post? I feel like I just finished the one for last month and yet, here we are, gearing up for August! I’m super excited for all of these books though, that’s for sure!

Must-Have July Releases

        I can’t believe it’s already almost July! On the one hand, it feels like summer just started and I have barely been home a couple of weeks, and on the other hand it feels as if I haven’t seen my friends from school in a year. No matter which it is, time is marching on the same as it always has, and before I know it, or after it seems like forever has passed, school will be starting back again. But let’s not talk about that! Summer most definitely isn’t over yet, and I’ve got a great list of books that would be fantastic additions to your summer reading list!

Must-Have May Releases

        How is it already almost May?! I have absolutely no idea, but I am so glad, because that means I get out of school this week! Summer break is finally here, and I am so glad as I desperately need it! Also, I’m so excited for all of the books releasing the next couple of months, and I’ll actually have time to read them because I won’t be doing schoolwork. So, get ready for lots of reviews! For now, though, here are the May releases I’m excited for!

Dawn at Emberwilde

Annabelle is about to enter the world of le bon ton. But there is more to it than meets the eye. And not all of it is good.

        Fellsworth School is the only home that Annabelle Creswell has ever known. An artist at heart, she is curious about what adventure lies beyond Fellsworth’s walls. When her long-lost aunt invites Annabelle and her younger half-sister to accompany her to Bellfield Crossing for the summer, Annabelle cannot resist a new adventure.

        Colin Ashton, on the other hand, has more adventure than he cares for. As a magistrate in Bellfield Crossing, he focuses on keeping illegal activity at bay. He has little time for frivolous activities, which he’s certain are Annabelle’s focus.

        Annabelle is enamored by the opulence that surrounds her at her aunt’s home—more wealth than she has ever known—but it is the orphans at the local orphanage who really capture her heart. As she works among the community, Annabelle quickly finds herself the interest of several suitors. Colin warns her not everyone can be trusted, but she wonders if she can trust him. After all, she has been told stories about him.

        Colin’s and Annabelle’s paths continue to cross as Colin works to unearth the local smuggling ring and Annabelle takes her place in high society. Could Colin have been telling the truth? And will her aunt listen when Annabelle voices her concerns? Or will she send Annabelle back to Fellsworth and away from the life…and man she has come to love?

Must-Have March Releases

        I can’t believe it’s that time again, and yet here I am, posting about the March releases I’m just dying to read. How can it possibly almost be March? I have no earthly idea, but I’m glad if it means I’m getting closer and closer to being able to read these books! Sorry it’s such a long post, but I just had to add all of these books! Check them out; they’re going to be fabulous!

Change of Heart

        A Colorado senator’s wife, Evelyn Brandt seems to have it all. But her carefully constructed life comes toppling down when the FBI crashes her society brunch with the news that her husband has been arrested for embezzlement, and he’s far from repentant. It turns out this was only the start of his indiscretions—for which he has little regret.

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.

Must-Have January Releases

        How is it already almost January? I cannot believe it is about to be 2016! That seems like such a crazy concept, and yet, here it is. The good thing about this transition though, is that there are so many wonderful novels I am looking forward to this year, especially in January. Here’s my list of the books that are releasing this upcoming month, I am sure you can find something there you will enjoy as there are quite a few different types of fiction represented here.

Calico Spy

        Pinkerton operative Katie Madison’s newest case takes her to Calico, Kansas, where two Harvey House restaurant waitresses were murdered in mysterious circumstances. Calico’s sheriff, Branch Whitman, has never met a Pink he liked and is stunned to learn the pretty redhead’s true identity as she works undercover as a Harvey girl. A tornado hits town, and a past deception puts Branch’s eight-year-old son in danger. Now the Sheriff has no choice but to work with Katie or chance losing everything he holds dear.

        Calico Spy is the third book in Margaret Brownley’s Undercover Ladies series, coming after Petticoat Detective and Undercover Bride. While I didn’t have the chance to read Undercover Bride, I did read Petticoat Detective, and I absolutely loved it. Margaret does a wonderful job of weaving together mystery and romance in a way that is intriguing and unforgettable, and this novel sounds like it would be no exception. I cannot wait to hopefully have the chance to get lost between the pages of such a captivating-sounding mystery!

Beyond the Silence

        Lillian Porter has always wanted to fulfill her mother’s dream of going west, so when she hears about a nanny position in Angels Camp, California, she defies her grandfather and takes a chance on a new future. But she quickly wonders if she made the right choice. There are rumors in town that her new employer, Woodward Colton, caused the death of his wife. This accusation doesn’t match the man Lillian comes to know—and Mrs. Goodman, Woody’s long-time housekeeper, is decisively on Woody’s side—but many in town stay far away from Lillian because of her association with the Colton family.

        Lillian’s six-year-old charge, Jimmy, was there when his mother died, and he hasn’t spoken a word since. Gently, Lillian tries to coax him out of his shell, hoping he’ll one day feel safe enough to tell her the truth about what happened. But the Colton olive farm is no longer a safe place. Lillian encounters suspicious characters on their land and mysterious damage done to the farm. Will Mrs. Goodman and Jimmy be able to speak what they know in time to save Lillian from tragedy?

        Although I have read quite a few books by Tracie Peterson, I have yet to read anything by Kimberly Woodhouse, so I am excited to be able to dive right into this novel that they wrote together. Beyond the Silence seems like such a deep, mysterious, heartwarming story that I am so sure I am going to love, so I am extremely glad that I will be receiving a copy as soon as it can finally get here. I am hopeful that it will be just as amazing as it sounds, and that I will be able to post my review of it someday this month!

Thin Ice

        After losing her parents in a car accident and her sister to a house fire, Christy Reed has been mired in grief. Life is finally starting to feel normal again when an envelope arrives in the mail—addressed in her sister’s handwriting. 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. If Ginny Reed is still alive—who is the woman buried in her grave? Where is Ginny? And is Christy a pawn in a twisted cat-and-mouse game—or the target of a sinister plot? As he digs deeper, one thing becomes clear: whoever is behind the bizarre ruse has a deadly agenda.

        Thin Ice is the second book in Irene Hannon’s Men of Valor series, coming after Buried Secrets. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the chance to read Buried Secrets, so I cannot accurately tell you what all these novels hold, but I have heard wonderful things about both the stories and Irene Hannon, so I am hopeful that Thin Ice will be an interesting read. It definitely sounds captivating!

Undaunted Hope

        Tessa Taylor arrives in 1870s Upper Peninsula, Michigan, planning to serve as a new teacher to the town. Much to her dismay, however, she immediately learns that there was a mistake, that the town had requested a male teacher. Percival Updegraff, superintendent and chief mine clerk, says she can stay through winter since they won’t be able to locate a new teacher before then, and Tessa can’t help but say she is  in his debt. Little does she know that Percival will indeed keep track of all that she owes him.

        Determined to become indispensable, Tessa throws herself into teaching, and soon the children of the widowed lighthouse keeper have decided she’s the right match for their grieving father. Their uncle and assistant light keeper, Alex Bjorklund, has his own feelings for Tessa. As the two brothers begin competing for her hand, Tessa increasingly feels that someone is tracking her every move, and she may not be able to escape the trap that has been laid for her.

        Undaunted Hope is the third book in Jody Hedlund’s Beacons of Hope series, coming after Love Unexpected and Hearts Made Whole. I absolutely loved both of the previous novels in the series, so I just know that I will really enjoy the final installment as well. It sounds as if it will be the perfect conclusion to the story, and I’m so excited to see what happens to Tessa, who I met earlier in Hearts Made Whole.

A Worthy Heart

Can an Irish lass with a dream for America find true love?

        Maggie Montgomery’s long-held wish to see America is finally coming true. She’ll visit her beloved brother Rylan and his wife, Colleen, and at the same time, escape Neill Fitzgerald’s unwanted attention. In addition, Maggie has a secret! She plans to remain in America to seek her fortune and to hopefully find love. While visiting Irish Meadows, she meets an intriguing man whom she thinks is a stable hand. Only when Rylan demands she stay away from Adam O’Leary does she realize he’s Colleen’s brother, recently released from prison. Nonetheless, Maggie can’t seem to make her heart conform to her brother’s request.

        Adam O’Leary has never felt worthy of his place in the family. Spending time in jail only reinforces his belief. Now that he’s free, Adam hopes 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?

        A Worthy Heart is the second book in Susan Anne Mason’s Courage to Dream series, coming after Irish Meadows. I really, really enjoyed Irish Meadows, and I absolutely cannot wait to get to read Adam’s story. He seemed like such a tough, bad-boy-type guy when I met him in the first novel, and I am excited to see how he really is, and how he redeems himself throughout the story. Bad guys who redeem themselves are literally the best, so I am super pumped to watch Adam go through that process.

Mermaid Moon

Audra’s father uttered his last words in a phone call: “Come home to Mermaid Beach.” Now she’s back—determined to find the truth.

        Audra Davis believes her father was murdered. Her childhood sweetheart Kevin O’Connor, game warden of Mermaid Beach, is also suspicious of the accident—but he’s equally determined to keep Audra at arm’s length. She broke his heart years ago when she left without a word. He’s not about to lower his guard and let her get close again. He has his daughter Faith to think about. With his track record, he doesn’t think any woman will stay in down-east Maine’s remote windswept coast.

        Hoping to discover what happened to her father, Audra takes over his mail boat duties, guiding his trusted boat on deliveries to see what she can uncover. Soon she finds letters from her birth mother—letters postmarked but never delivered. How could her father have kept them from her all this time? Do they have anything to do with his murder?

        In spite of his doubts, Kevin thinks Audra might be right about her father’s death. As the only law enforcement officer in the area, he has a duty to help her track down the killer. Spending so much time together begins to rekindle the torch he’s carried for her all these years, but he still sees the guilt in her eyes that drove her away in the first place, guilt over choosing to spend time with him the fateful night her mother dies instead of fueling her mother’s boat. Can Kevin and Audra navigate their way to each other before a murderer rips them apart forever?

        Mermaid Moon is the second book in Colleen Coble’s Sunset Cove series, coming after The Inn at Ocean’s Edge. I really LOVED every single second of The Inn at Ocean’s Edge, so I cannot WAIT to open up Mermaid Moon. Fortunately, I was blessed with the wonderful opportunity to be an influencer for it, so I already have my copy that I will start just as soon as I get the chance. Look out for my review, because it’s coming soon and it’s going to be full of reasons why Colleen is an amazing author.

Keeper of the Stars

She blames him for her brother’s death. Can she let go of resentment and open her heart to love?

        Penny Cartwright found it difficult to understand why her younger brother would choose to join a country singer’s band rather than return to Kings Meadow after college…and the separation strained their relationship. Then a car accident made certain her brother could never return.

        Trevor Reynolds has chased stardom in Nashville for more than a dozen years, but it remains out of his reach. 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.

        Keeper of the Stars is the third book in Robin Lee Hatcher’s Kings Meadow Romance series, coming after Love Without End and Whenever You Come Around. I absolutely LOVED Whenever You Come Around, and I really enjoyed Love Without End as well, so I am almost certain I will love Keeper of the Stars as well. It sounds like the perfect story, full of heartbreak and redemption, forgiveness and love, and I absolutely cannot wait to read it! Good thing I am also receiving a copy of this one!

A Son’s Vow

        Three months ago, everything changed for Darla Kurtz and her family. Darla’s father was responsible for a terrible fire at the Charm’s lumber mill which killed five Amish men. And though he, too, lost his life, the town of Charm hasn’t looked at her family the same since. Even Lukas Kinsinger—with whom Darla used to have a close relationship.

        Now her brother’s anger at the town is spilling over onto Darla, and she has the bruises to prove it. The accident already cost five lives, but if something doesn’t change soon, Darla fears it will cost her—and her family—even more.

        Lukas Kinsinger wants to mourn the loss of his father, but he can hardly find time to breathe. Suddenly the head of his father’s lumber mill and responsible for taking care of his three siblings, he’s feeling the pressure. He has also never felt more alone—especially with the new tension between he and Darla. But when he learns of her troubles at home, Lukas knows he can’t simply stand by and watch. Someone has to help her before another tragedy occurs.

        As Lukas and Darla attempt to repair their families, they discover something deeper than friendship growing between them. But will Lukas and Darla’s love be accepted after so much loss? Or will the pain of the past overcome any chance of future happiness?

        A Son’s Vow is the first book in Shelley Shepard Gray’s The Charmed Amish Life series, but is definitely not the first book I have read by her. Although I enjoyed her historical mysteries quite a bit more than her Amish novels, I do like them, and am looking forward to diving into this one. And guess what, I’m getting this one as well, so I will be sure to read it quickly so that I can let you know how wonderful it is!

        Those are the books I am looking forward to releasing this January! What about you? Do any of these look interesting? Do you have a few books you are looking forward to reading next month?

        Happy January!!!

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 publishers.

Must-Have November Releases

        Sorry this is a little later than I usually post it (my life has been crazy these last few weeks), but here are my must have releases for this wonderful month of November!

The Bronte Plot

When Lucy’s secret is unearthed, her world begins to crumble. But it may be the best thing that has ever happened to her.

        Lucy Alling makes a living selling rare books, often taking suspicious measures to reach her goals. When her unorthodox methods are discovered, Lucy’s secret ruins her relationship with her boss and her boyfriend James—leaving Lucy in a heap of hurt, and trouble. Something has to change; she has to change.

        In a sudden turn of events, James’s wealthy grandmother Helen hires Lucy as a consultant for a London literary and antiques excursion. Lucy reluctantly agrees and soon discovers Helen holds secrets of her own. In fact, Helen understands Lucy’s predicament better than anyone else.

        As the two travel across England, Lucy benefits from Helen’s wisdom, as Helen confronts the ghosts of her own past. Everything comes to a head at Haworth, home of the Bronte sisters, where Lucy is reminded of the sisters’ beloved heroines, who, with tenacity and resolution, endured—even in the midst of change.

        Now Lucy must go back into her past in order to move forward. And while it may hold mistakes and regrets, she will prevail—if only she can step into the life that’s been waiting for her all along.

        Doesn’t this book sound wonderful? I have already read one book by Katherine Reay—called Dear Mr. Knightly—and I absolutely loved it, so I am hopeful that I will really enjoy this new novel of hers. I have loved in the past the Jane Austen twists Katherine slips into her books (she has also written a book called Lizzy and Jane, I just haven’t gotten to that part of my to-read stack yet) so I am excited to see if she executes her Bronte themes as well as the Austen ones. On top of that, Katherine just does an amazing job of creating real, raw characters and storylines, which makes this book all that more exciting to read.

Whispers in the Reading Room

Lydia’s job at the library is her world—until a mysterious patron catches her eye…and perhaps her heart.

        Just months after the closure of the Chicago World’s Fair, librarian Lydia Bancroft finds herself fascinated by a mysterious dark-haired and dark-eyed patron. He has never given her his name; he actually never speaks to a single person. All she knows about him is that he loves books as much as she does.

        Only when he rescues her in the lobby of the Hartman Hotel does she discover that his name is Sebastian Marks. She also discovers that he lives at the top of the prestigious hotel and that most everyone in Chicago is intrigued by him.

        Lydia and Sebastian form a fragile friendship, but when she discovers that Mr. Marks isn’t merely a very wealthy gentleman, but also the proprietor of an infamous saloon and gambling club, she is shocked.

        Lydia insists on visiting the club one fateful night and suddenly is a suspect to a murder. She must determine who she can trust, who is innocent, and if Sebastian Marks—the man so many people fear—is actually everything her heart believes him to be.

        Can I even describe to you how excited I am for this book? I doubt it. Whispers in the Reading Room is the third book in Shelley Gray’s Chicago World’s Fair Mystery series, coming after Secrets of Sloane House and Deception on Sable Hill, both of which I loved immensely. The mysteries were so well written, as well as the characters and plotlines, and I am sure that this concluding novel will be no exception. And since I just recently received a copy of it from the publisher in exchange for my honest review, you will eventually be hearing just what I thought of this gem (once I read it that is!).

The Golden Braid

The one who needs rescuing isn’t always the one in the tower.

        Rapunzel can throw a knife better than any man. She paints beautiful flowering vines on the walls of her plaster houses. She sings so sweetly she can coax even a beast to sleep. But there are two things she is afraid her mother might never allow her to do: learn to read and marry.

        Fiercely devoted to Rapunzel, her mother is suspicious of every man who so much as looks at her daughter and warns her that no man can be trusted. After a young village farmer asks for Rapunzel’s hand in marriage, Mother decides to move them once again—this time, to the large city of Hagenheim.

        The journey proves treacherous, and after being rescued by a knight—Sir Gerek—Rapunzel, in turn, rescues him farther down the road. As a result Sir Gerek agrees to repay his debt to Rapunzel by teaching her to read. Could there be more to him than his arrogance and desire to marry for riches and position?

        As Rapunzel acclimates to life in a new city, she uncovers a mystery that will forever change her life. In this Rapunzel story unlike any other, a world of secrets and treachery are about to be revealed after seventeen years. How will Rapunzel finally take control of her own destiny? And who will prove faithful to a lowly peasant girl with no one to turn to?

        I have been a huge fan of Melanie Dickerson’s ever since I first picked up one of her fairy tale retellings a few years ago, and I have loved every one of her books ever since. When I heard she was working on a retelling of Rapunzel, I got sooooo excited, and immediately made plans to pre-order that novel. Needless to say, I ended up receiving an influencer copy, so I do have it on my shelf right this minute, and my fingers are just itching to pick it up. Since I have a few books to review before I need to read The Golden Braid, it will have to wait, but you can bet you will be getting a review very soon!

The Wedding Chapel

For sixty years, a wedding chapel sat silent, waiting for love. But times have changed and the hour has come when it just might be too late.

        Retired hall-of-fame football coach Jimmy “Coach” Westbrook never imagined anything would come of his labor of love—the wedding chapel he built for Collette Greer, the woman he fell for back in ’49. But now an offer has come to turn the chapel into what it was meant to be—a place for love—and Jimmy sees no reason to hang onto his dream any longer.

        Photographer Taylor Branson is trying to make a life for herself in New York. Leaving her hometown of Heart’s Bend, Tennessee, she put a lot of things behind her, including her family’s abysmal marriage rate. But love surprises her when she falls head-over-heels for Jack Forester, a top ad man. Their whirlwind romance results in an elopement, and a mountain of doubt. Jack, while genuine in his love for Taylor, can never seem to overcome his own demons to find the words of his heart.

        When Taylor takes an assignment in Heart’s Bend, the job does more than send her back to her hometown, but into a world of family secrets buried beneath the sands of time.

        When Taylor’s journey intersects with Coach’s, they rediscover the heartbeat of their dreams and that the love they long to hold is right in front of them. And worth every waiting moment.

        I love Rachel Hauck. Have I ever mentioned that? She writes some of the BEST novels I have ever read. And there is just something about the description for The Wedding Chapel that makes me think this is going to be one of those books. So that’s why I’ve already preordered a copy. It doesn’t come out until mid-November, but I can promise you, I will be posting my review very soon after that release date. Because I have no doubts that this is one of the top books to read this November.

A Thousand Shall Fall

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?

        Although I have not yet read anything by Andrea Boeshaar, I have a good feeling about this novel. It sounds so interesting and like it would have so many unexpected twists and turns, and I just cannot wait to get my hands on this one. Since I have a copy of this one as well, that shouldn’t be all that difficult, except for the fact that I have to get far enough through my to-read pile in order to be able to read it! Believe me though, you will be hearing what I think of this book before the month is up!

        Those are the books I am most anticipating this November! What about you? What new books are on your to-read list this month?

        Happy reading!

Linking up at Let it Shine, Monday’s Musings, Literacy Musing Mondays, Bloggers Who Have Inspired Me, and Totally Terrific Tuesdays.

All credit for the italicized synopses goes to the authors and their publishers.

Must-Have October Releases

Anna’s Healing

        When a tornado strikes the farms surrounding Cody’s Creek, Anna Schwartz’s life is changed forever. She suffers a spinal cord injury and suddenly finds herself learning to live as a paraplegic.

        Three people—Chloe Roberts, Jacob Graber, and Ruth Schwartz—join forces to help Anna through her darkest days. Chloe is an Englischer who writes for the local paper. Jacob has recently arrived in town and stays on as a hired hand at her uncle’s. And Ruth is her grandmother, a woman of deep faith and a compassionate spirit.

        Then one morning Anna wakes and finds herself healed. How did it happen? Why did it happen? And what is she to do now? Her life is again turned upside down as the world’s attention is drawn to this young Amish girl who has experienced the unexplainable.

                Anna’s Healing is the first book in Vanetta Chapman’s new Plain and Simple Miracles series. I have enjoyed everything I have read by Vanetta so far, so I am looking forward to another new novel by her. Although I am used to her Amish mysteries, I am sure this series will be just as interesting. Besides, who doesn’t love miracles?

Deadlock

Two murders have rocked the city of Houston. Are they the work of a serial killer, or is a copycat trying to get away with murder?

        That is the question facing Special Agent Bethany Sanchez, who is eager for her new assignment in violent crimes but anxious about meeting her new partner. Special Agent Thatcher Graves once arrested her brother, and he has a reputation for being a maverick. Plus, their investigative styles couldn’t be more opposite: he operates on instinct, while she goes by the book.

        When hot leads soon fizzle out, their differences threaten to leave them deadlocked. But an attempt on their lives turns up the heat and brings them closer together, and a third victim might yield the clue that will help them zero in on a killer. This could be the case of their careers…if they can survive long enough to solve it.

        Although I didn’t get the chance to read the first two books (Firewall and Double Cross) in this FBI: Houston series, I did intend to, as they all sound super interesting, and I’m looking forward to hopefully picking them up soon. Deadlock sounds full of suspense and intrigue, and I cannot wait to read it and the rest of the books in the series!

A Refuge at Highland Hall

        Penny Ramsey is determined to do all she can to help those she loves face the challenges brought about by The Great War—World War I—but can her heart survive the losses that will surely come her way as war sweeps through Europe and bombs begin falling on London? When Penny meets Alex Goodwin, a confident, dare-devil RNAS pilot, intent on defeating the Germans and proving his worth, her heart is drawn to him, but should she give her heart away, when it will most certainly mean losing the man she loves? Penny, her sister Kate, and the nine orphaned children in their care seek refuge at Highland Hall, and the family’s unity is tested. When Alex is seriously injured, Penny’s unyielding devotion helps him recover and find hope for the future. But an unexpected event puts Penny in great danger. Can Alex find the strength and courage to rescue her and bring her home to Highland Hall?

        A Refuge at Highland Hall is the third book in Carrie Turansky’s Edwardian Brides series, and is one of my most anticipated novels for this month. I absolutely loved both of the previous books—The Governess of Highland Hall and The Daughter of Highland Hall, so I am positive that I will really enjoy this one too. I really loved all that I had read of Penny in the earlier novels, so I know she will be a wonderful character, and I can’t wait to meet her love interest. I just can’t wait to read this book!!!!

Fire and Ice

Saddle up for mysteries and laughs with the Wilde sisters!

        Bailey Wilde is the oldest sister—and the one who takes care of everyone else in her family. But after her sisters marry and move away, her little homestead becomes bleak and lonely, especially during the long winter months. In a moment of weakness, Bailey agrees to a wild plan concocted by her neighbor, Gage Coulter.

        Gage is an honest man, but he didn’t make his fortune by being weak. He won’t break the law, but he’ll push as hard as he can within it. Five thousand acres of excellent grazing land is lost to him because Bailey’s homestead is located right across the entrance to a canyon full of lush grass. Gage has to regain access to this land—and he’s got to go through Bailey to do it. So he makes a proposal…

        Can these two independent, life-toughened homesteaders finally loosen up enough to earn each other’s respect—and maybe find love in the process?

        Fire and Ice is the also the third book in its series (Wild at Heart), coming after Tried and True and Now & Forever. Although I really wanted to read both of those novels, my schedule unfortunately didn’t permit it. I am sure, however, that I will read them eventually, as well as this new addition. It sounds soooooo interesting, doesn’t it?

The Imposter

A heart once deceived should not be easily fooled again…

        Katrina Stoltzfus though she had life and love all figured out: she was going to marry John and live happily ever after. But as her plans crumble before her eyes, she struggles to face an uncertain future. When a widow asks for help starting a new business, Katrina quickly agrees. She needs time to heal her broken heart, to untangle her messy life, to find a purpose.

        What she doesn’t need is attention from Andy Miller, a farmhand who arrives at the widow’s farm just when help is most needed—and who always seems to say the right thing and be in the right place, at the right time. Is Andy for real or too good to be true? She’s been deceived once before, and she isn’t planning on experiencing it again.

        Oh my word, doesn’t this novel sound amazing?! An imposter? Unwanted attention? Deception? Those are all elements that make for a super intriguing, probably swoon-worthy book, and I just love Amish fiction. Suzanne Woods Fisher never fails to captivate me with her stories, and I am sure this one will be no exception.

Luther and Katharina

She was a nun of noble birth. He, a heretic, a reformer…an outlaw of the Holy Roman Empire.

        In the 16^th century, nun Katharina von Bora’s fate fell no further than the Abbey. Until she read the writings of Martin Luther.

        His sweeping Catholic church reformation—condemning a cloistered life and promoting the goodness of marriage—awakened her desire for everything she’d been forbidden. Including Martin Luther himself.

        Despite the fact that the attraction and tension between them is undeniable, Luther holds fast to his convictions and remains isolated, refusing to risk anyone’s life but his own. And Katharina longs for love, but is strong-willed. She clings proudly to her class distinction, pining for nobility over the heart of a reformer. They couldn’t be more different.

        But as the world comes tumbling down around them, and with Luther’s threatened life a constant strain, these unlikely allies forge an unexpected bond of understanding, support, and love.

        Together, they will alter the religious landscape forever.

        Oh, this sounds interesting, doesn’t it?! Martin Luther? Really? Who wouldn’t love a fictional novel about him and Katharina? I am sure this book is going to be full of all of the things I love, romance, intrigue, and tension, and on top of that, Jody Hedlund is one of my new favorite authors. She hasn’t disappointed me yet, and I am sure that this novel won’t be the first time.

A Christmas Bride in Pinecraft

        When Beverly Overholt’s beloved Orange Blossom Inn is broken into, she’s shaken to her core. After all, the inn has been her whole life since her fiancé left her for her best friend. In the face of repairing what’s been lost, Beverly calls Eric Wagler, the inn’s handsome owner. To her surprise, he promises to be on the next flight out to Sarasota. Beverly’s been closed off to love for years, but with Eric, she can’t help seeing a glimmer of hope, even if they’re from different worlds.

        From the moment Eric met Beverly, he’s tried to fight his attraction to her. Though now Mennonite, Beverly was raised Amish, but Eric grew up in Philadelphia and got into his fair share of trouble as a young man. Though he’s worked to overcome his earlier mistakes, with Beverly’s security scare, Eric’s sure she’s not going to want anything more to do with him. And considering how he just might want a future with her…that’s a tough pill to swallow.

        But as Beverly and Eric put the inn back together, prepare for Christmas, and even witness a new love blossoming for another couple, the trust…and love…between them grows. Will Christmas bring a second chance at love for Beverly? And if it does, will she be brave enough to take it?

        A Christmas Bride in Pinecraft is the fourth book in Shelley Shepard Gray’s Amish Brides of Pinecraft series, coming after The Promise of Palm Grove, The Proposal at Siesta Key, and A Wedding at the Orange Blossom Inn. Although I haven’t had the chance to read the third novel—it just came out last month and therefore isn’t at my library yet—I really loved both of the first two. Shelley writes such great Amish love stories, and I am so, so excited for this one! I’ve already been introduced to both Beverly and Eric in the previous novels, and I love the attraction and tension between them, or what I’ve been able to see of it so far, that is. I cannot wait to read the rest of the story!

Another Way Home

        Grant and Audrey are adding grandchildren to their family left and right, but middle daughter, Danae, and her husband, Dallas Brooks, have been trying for years with no baby in sight.

        Though Danae is ready to consider adoption, Dallas will not even discuss it. Despairing of ever having a family of her own, Danae decides to pour her passion and energies into volunteer work with a newly opened women’s shelter in town. Looking for a good cause to fill her lonely days, she never expects to give her heart to the hurting women she meets there. She’s finally learning to live her life with gratitude, but then heart-wrenching events on Thanksgiving weekend threaten to pull the entire Whitman clan into turmoil—and leave them all forever changed.

        Another Way Home is the third book in Deborah Raney’s Chicory Inn series, coming after Home to Chicory Lane and Two Roads Home. Although I didn’t get to read the previous novels in this series either, they all sound so, so interesting, and I know I will pick them up as soon as my hectic schedule allows. Besides, this novel sounds amazing, doesn’t it? There’s so much drama alluded to in just the synopsis! I cannot wait to dive into this one!

Every Girl Gets Confused

        Katie Fisher and Brady James may be a match made in heaven, but that doesn’t seem to guarantee them a happily ever after accompanies by angelic choirs. In fact, the sounds being heard at the bridal shop where she works are on the contentious side lately, as a bride-and-groom-to-be try to meditate the growing rivalry between their basketball-obsessed families in the middle of play-off season. On top of that, Katie’s parents are nagging her to get out of Dallas and come home to tiny Fairfield where her former boyfriend Carson is waiting for her, ready to rekindle their relationship. Oy vey! What’s a girl to do? And will she ever be able to wear that gorgeous wedding dress she won?

        Every Girl Gets Confused is the second book in Janice Thompson’s Brides with Style series, coming after Every Bride Needs a Groom. Although I didn’t have the chance to review that novel, I did start it, and I must say I liked what I read. I didn’t get super far into the plotline, but it was definitely interesting, and I know that I will attempt to finish it sometime soon. And then, of course, I will look to carry on the series with this one. Besides, it sounds even better than the first!

        Well, those are my most anticipated releases for the month of October! What are you looking forward to reading this fall?

        Happy October!

Linking up at Let it Shine, Monday's Musings, and Literacy Musing Mondays.

All credit for the italicized synopses goes to the authors and their publishers.