August ACFW New Releases -- Some Awesome Reads!

These late summer releases promise some good reading from ACFW authors. Check out the list. There's bound to be something to meet anyone's taste in reading.


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

A Horseman’s Heart by Myra Johnson -- Romance from Barbour/Heartsong.  When Kip Lorimer shows up with a horse to donate to the family's equine therapy program, Sheridan Cross can't help but be suspicious. A cowboy a thousand miles from home and living out of a horse trailer? What's wrong with this picture?

A Most Unsuitable Match by Stephanie Whitson -- A Historical from Bethany House. They are opposites in every way. . . except how neither one can stop thinking about the other.

Agent Undercover by Lynette Eason -- Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired. A little boy with a secret, a killer with a vendetta, and a man and a woman who will stop at nothing to protect the child while catching the killer.

Aquasynthesis by Grace Bridges, Fred Warren, Caprice Hokstad, P.A. Baines, Adam Graham, R.L. Copple, Travis Perry, Mike Lynch, Keven Newsome, Kat Heckenbach, and Ryan Grabow.  -- Fantasy from Splashdown Books. From classic-style fantasy and science fiction stories, through speculative tales that delve deeper into motivations and meanings, we move from humor to sacrifice by a linking story that connects many very different themes.

Blue Skies Tomorrow by Sarah Sundin -- General Fiction Historical from Revell. In a time of peril, can they find the courage to confront their fears and embrace a love that lasts?

Edge of Grace by Christa Allan  -- General Fiction from Abingdon.  Unable to cope with her brother’s news that he is gay, Caryn Becker rejects him. But when he is attacked and nearly killed, she is forced to make hard choices that take her to the very edge of grace.

Lost in Dreams, Book Two; Altered Heart Series by Roger Bruner and Kristi Rae Bruner  -- Young Adult from Barbour. Eighteen-year-old Kim Hartlinger discovers the victory Jesus provides during the most trying of circumstances as she learns to lean on other Christians.

Marrying Miss Marshall by Lacy Williams  -- Romance from Bethany House. Her job is to protect the town... but who will protect her heart?

Out of Control by Mary Connealy -- Romance from Bethany House. Rafe Kincaid controls everything in his life . . .  until he meets Julia.

Ransome’s Quest by Kaye Dacus  -- Historical Romance from Harvest House.   Romance, intrigue, and swashbuckling leaps of faith create a wonderfully heroic close to this beloved series.

Something Old by Dianne Christner  -- Romance from Barbour.  Love is rarely plain and simple.

Surrender the Dawn by Mary Lu Tyndall  -- A Historical from Barbour.  You’ll be swept away in this seafaring romance between a plucky damsel-in-distress and a nefarious rake who’s selling out his country amid the War of 1812.

The Matrimony Plan by Christine Johnson  -- Historical Romance from Love Inspired.  A rich girl falls in love with a poor boy -- until the tables are turned.

Looking for a Fun Read? Look No Further than Kathleen Y'Barbo's Latest Book.

I've known Kathleen Y'Barbo for a long time, but have never read one of her books before. After hearing rave reviews for her historical romances over the years, I knew I had to read one for myself. I wasn't disappointed.

The Inconvenient Marriage of Charlotte Beck is the first of what I'm sure will be many pleasant moments reading Kathleen's work. Don't you just love that title? A title like that raises my curiosity. Why was the marriage inconvenient and who is Charlotte Beck?

The story opens in England during the late 1800s when a coming-of-age American young lady by the name of Charlotte Beck turns London society on its ear. It seems there is nothing Miss Beck is afraid to do and whatever she does, it seems to put her in the midst of trouble, even when she isn't looking for it.

Enter her nemisis, astronomer Alex Humbly, and her troubles only seem to mount. The only answer is to return home to Colorado and convince her father that she indeed is ready for college. Little does she realize that Alex also has his sights on Colorado as a way to save his family from financial ruin.

Her father provides a solution. One that neither Charlotte or Alex saw coming. If they marry, her father will save Alex's family from financial devastation, and Charlotte will be free to attend college. Being married to the man she despises more than anything is not Charlotte's idea of a good time, and Alex feels exactly the same about her. Or does he?

Y'Barbo has skillfully taken a plot that involves serious issues and crafted a story that is entertaining and fun to read. In fact, I could easily see this translated to a romantic comedy for the silver screen. I highly recommend the book for a long summer afternoon's reading, but it can be enjoyed anytime and anywhere.

This may have been my first Kathleen Y'Barbo read, but I can say for sure it won't be my last. You can get your own copy at your favorite book store, either on line or on a street in your neighborhood. Don't miss it!

Kathleen Y'Barbo is a best-selling author of more than thirty books. In all, over 950,000 copies of her books are currently in print in the US and abroad.

She is a member of the Romance Writers of America, American Christian Fiction Writers, and Words for the Journey Christian Writers, and is also a paralegal specializing in criminal and family law. A native Texan with a BA from Texas A&M's Mays Business School, Kathleen and her hero husband have a blended family that stretches across two states and two foreign countries. Read more about Kathleen at www.kathleenybarbo.com.

Note: I was provided with a free copy of the book for review purposes by Waterbrook Publishers, but was not asked in any way to write a favorable review. The opinion expressed here is strictly my own.

My New Writing Journey Begins

My writing journey is heading down a brand new road, and I've been busy. The contract with OakTara Publishing has been signed, and my editor has been sent my tweaked manuscript, the dedication and acknowledgment pages, stock photos of how I visualize the main characters for the cover artist to use, plus a few more other items.

Most recently, I've been working with a good friend who is developing a book trailer for me. Similar to movie previews/trailers, book trailers are becoming more and more popular. They are another way of getting the word out there about a book and can be posted most anywhere on the Internet. It's fun going through stock photos and taking some pictures of my own, each picture seemingly bringing my story to life.

These days most authors, well-published or new, have to build a platform and work at marketing their books. And you don't start doing that the day the book is released. I've already been working on building my platform, which essentially is how many people do I have the ability to reach through this blog, FaceBook, Twitter, and other social networks. Also through organizations I belong to like ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers), my church, etc.

I've been working on updating my website to announce the news that Thyme for Love will soon be coming out (probably after the first of the year). I'll know more about the release date in a couple months. My next step is to develop an author page on FaceBook. It's often been said that the real work begins AFTER you write the story and contract with a publisher. I'm learning that real fast.

I am depending more and more on God to give me wisdom in prioritizing and how to develop my areas of influence to get my author name and book title out there. Funny, I've been working so much lately on humility and the right attitude of mind. None of this writing gig is my own doing. It is God who gave me the talent and desire to write, and it is He who enables me now to be published, and it is He who will bless me with book sales when the time comes. It is so important that I keep this in mind as I go forward.

Below is a blurb about Thyme for Love. Can't wait for everyone to be able to meet April Love and Marc Thorne, the main characters in this romance with mystery.

ACFW New Releases for July - Great Summer Reads!

Below are July New Releases from ACFW Authors. Take a gander as you'll likely find something that suits your tastes for a hot summer afternoon read.


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

Dandelion Summer by Lisa Wingate -- General Fiction from Penguin Praise.  J. Norman, recently widowed, aging and a retired space program engineer, eventually warms up to part-time caretaker Epie, an at-risk teen, as they search for his long forgotten roots when old, buried memories of a different home, a fire, red-headed children, and a black housekeeper surface.

Dangerous Reunion by Sandra Robbins -- Thriller/Suspense from Love Inspired Suspense. A woman deputy sheriff on a small barrier island off the coast of North Carolina struggles to stop a crazed killer's vendetta while battling her renewed attraction to the man who broke her heart years ago.

Love Finds You in Lancaster County by Annalisa Daughety -- Romance from Summerside Press. When Amish-born Lydia Ann Raber and Southern belle Caroline DeMarco discover a shared history of loss, the unlikely duo decides to open a gift shop in beautiful Lancaster County. There each woman finds friendship, a fresh start, and a second chance at love.

Odd Little Miracles by Fred Warren -- Fantasy from Splashdown Books. Follow the twists and turns of twenty-two bizarre tales, where odd is commonplace, little things make all the difference, and miracles are everywhere, if you know where to look...

Pursued by Lillian Duncan -- Thriller/Suspense from White Rose. Reggie Meyers has spent her life pursing the American Dream, but now she’s the one being pursued— by an unknown killer. Putting her trust in Dylan Monroe, a man she barely knows, will either be the best decision she ever made or the last.

Reinventing Leona by Lynne Gentry -- General Fiction from Tyndale. Residing in a parsonage is not for sissies, but living anywhere else scares the pastor’s widow spitless.

The Blessed by Ann Gabhart -- General Fiction from Revell. After being pushed into marriage to her preacher husband, Lacey Bishop follows her husband to a Shaker village. A community that believes marriage is a sin. And to make matters worse, she finds herself drawn to Isaac Kingston, a man who came to the Shakers after his young bride died. But of course any notion of love between them is only a forbidden dream. How will Lacey ever find true happiness?

The Nanny’s Homecoming by Linda Goodnight -- Romance from Love Inspired. After her fiancé calls off their wedding, Brooke Clayton has nowhere to go but home.

Wolfsbane by Ronie Kendig -- Thriller/Suspense from Barbour. Former Green Beret Captain Canyon Metcalfe is unnerved when Nightshade is sent to a South American jungle that holds an eerie similarity to a dark tragedy from his past.