January 2013 New Releases from ACFW Authors

What better way to wile away a winter evening than with a hot drink and a good book. Here are some new releases from ACFW Authors. Check them out!


More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website.
Mind of Her Own by Diana Lesire Brandmeyer -- Who knew making dinner could change your life? (Contemporary Women's Fiction from Tyndale House).

Waiting for Morning by Margaret Brownley -- If Molly's purple attire doesn't blind you, her dazzling smile will. She doesn't just sing to cattle, she puts on a whole show with dancing and all. If only she wasn't so stubborn about her brother's care. Or so suspicious of a certain handsome doctor... (Historical Romance from Thomas Nelson).

Waiting for Spring by Amanda Cabot -- In the second of the Westward Winds series, a young widow discovers danger and love in 1886 Cheyenne. (Historical Romance from Revell).

A Daughter's Redemption by Georgiana Daniels -- Inheriting her estranged father's property isn't the reason Robyn Warner wanted to come back to Pine Hollow. She thought she'd make amends with her father-but his sudden death made that impossible. And when she learns the identity of the handyman fixing the run-down cabins, Robyn is ready to flee Pine Hollow again. (Romance from Love Inspired).

Where Treasure Hides by Johnnie Alexander Donley -- Gifted artist Alison Schuyler and British officer Ian Devlin fall in love on the eve of war. But Alison's spurned Nazi suitor has his own plans for her future. Will Alison and Ian hold onto their love despite the forces against them, or is it their fate to be separated forever? (Historical Romance from Tyndale House).

Choices of the Heart by Laurie Alice Eakes -- In this gripping story of trust, deception, and bittersweet loss, you'll discover the true meaning of choices of the heart. (Historical Romance from Revell).

Vanished by Irene Hannon -- A tenacious reporter... A dubious PI... A secret that will shatter lives.... (Romantic Suspense from Revell).

Claiming Mariah by Pam Hillman -- In light of her father's death, Mariah Malone sends a letter that will forever alter the lives of her family. When Slade Donovan, strong willed and eager for vengeance, shows up on her front porch, Mariah is not ready to hear his truths: her father's farm, the only home she's ever known, was bought with stolen gold.. Though Mr. Frederick Cooper, a local landowner, promises to answer her financial woes if she agrees to be his bride, Mariah finds herself drawn instead to the angry young man demanding her home. (Historical Romance from Tyndale House).

A Horseman's Hope by Myra Johnson -- Four years after his girlfriend, Shana, became pregnant, Ryan still can't believe he's a father . . . and can't imagine being anything else. His daughter is the light of his life. Now if only Shana could embrace motherhood and the three become a real family. . . . (Contemporary Romance from Heartsong Presents).

Denali Dreams by Ronie Kendig and Kimberley Woodhouse -- Vast and rugged, Denali National Park brings adventure and love into the lives of four courageous women. Will cancer survivor Karon reach Mt. McKinley's summit? Will heiress Jolie survive against the terrain and an assassin? Will flightseeing tour guide Deline save her stalling business? Will love conquer all for ranger Deanna? (Romantic Suspense from Barbour Publishing).

Lily's Plight by Sally Laity and Dianna Crawford-- Amid threats of impending Indian attacks, two people find themselves facing an entirely different challenge...forbidden love. (General Historical from Barbour Publishing).

A Mother's Promise by Anna Schmidt -- The third and final book in the Women of Pinecraft series. Set in the Amish/Mennonite community of Pinecraft on the Gulf Coast of Florida readers have fallen in love with these strong women who meet life's challenges with faith and courage. (General Contemporary from Barbour Publishing).

Path of Freedom by Jennifer Hudson Taylor -- 1850 - When Quakers Flora Saferight and Bruce Millikan embark on the Underground Railroad, they agree to put their differences aside to save the lives of a pregnant slave couple. With only her mother's quilt as a secret guide, the foursome follows the stitches through unknown treachery. As they begin their perilous journey, they hope and pray that their path is one of promise where love sustains them, courage builds faith, and forgiveness leads to freedom. (Historical Romance from Abingdon Press).

Doctor to the Rescue by Cheryl Wyatt -- A former Air Force combat doctor and single dad returns from deployment to raise his daughter and enters a childcare barter with a neighbor that lends to unexpected blessings. (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired).

Happy New Year--Almost!

We still have a couple more days before New Year's Eve, but I thought I'd post a few thoughts about the coming year while they are on my mind.

This morning I spent time reading some Amy Carmichael for my devotion time. Amy lived in the late 19th Century and into the 20th. As a young woman, she committed to being a missionary in India and, at some point after arriving there, she fell and messed up her leg. These days, the injury would have been easily repaired, but back in the day she ended up unable to walk. Did she come home? Not a chance. She spent her days bedridden, but God wasn't finished with her yet.

The woman journaled daily about the insights from the Bible God had brought to her mind, and from her writings I gather she had many a visitor whom she counseled, encouraged, and prayed over. What a blessing to have her writings now, over a century later.

I also journal, but I doubt anyone will ever have a notion to publish my writings after I'm gone. Come to think of it, I'm not sure I'd want them published. Some are way too personal.

This morning as I looked toward the coming of 2013, I read Amy's words about trusting God. She said that according to Young's Concordance, the word trust can be read as meaning 'to lean on.' I immediately had a vision of leaning against God through every day of my life in the coming year, much like the disciple John leaned against Jesus at the last supper. Many a time I've set out on my own without pausing to pray for God's guidance and surrendering it all to Him, and many a time things haven't worked out.

As we enter 2013 with talks of the 'fiscal cliff' looming, a new healthcare plan taking place, and an economy that is still wobbling, I can't think of any better place to be than leaning on God. I can lean on Him for the big stuff going on in Washington D.C. and I can lean on Him for my writing and possible future contracts. I can lean on him for help in losing those five or six pounds I gained over the past month or so (I've already started working on that!) And I can lean on Him for my health and for whatever lies ahead that I may or may not be prepared to face.

And that gives me peace.

Happy New Year!

Words in the Wind by Yvonne Anderson -- A Great Read!

I've always said if an author got me to sit and read a Science Fiction story from start to finish, there was one great author. Well, last year my friend, Yvonne Anderson, proved to be one great author because her debut novel The Story in the Stars kept my interest from start to finish. When I finished the book, I begged her for more. And more I got just a few weeks ago when her sequel Words in the Wind arrived in my mailbox.

And, just like the first book in the series, I became quickly engrossed in Words in the Wind, happy to see that Dassa, the heroine of the first book has returned and immediately finds herself  in trouble when her landing craft crashes in a remote area of her home planet Ghanna, cutting her off from family and colleagues. Yes, I said family...it seems in the few years between the first book and this book, Dassa and Pik have married and started a family. Smile.

You'll want to get a copy of Words in the Wind as soon as possible to find out what she's been up to these past few years. But if you missed the first book, never fear, you can jump right into the fun and start reading Book 2, although I highly recommend reading them in order.

Anderson is a master storyteller with an imagination to be admired. I truly appreciate her ability to create a whole alternate universe full of strange, but somehow likable people. From the expressionless Karkar natives who show all their emotion through their ears, to the Ghannians who can communicate with each other through their minds. Far better than any iPhone or Android.

I would give this book five stars if I had a star system, and definitely give it two thumbs up. Don't miss this one!

You can purchase the book at Amazon or at your local bookstore. If they don't have it, I'm sure they'd be happy to order you a copy.


I received a complementary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of review. All opinions of the book are my own.

Wish I'd See Something Like This at My Mall!

A friend sent this today and I just had to share. It's done at the South Bay Galleria in the greater Los Angeles area.

You'll Fall in Love with Madily in Love

Author Lynda Lee Schab and I both published our debut novels from OakTara Publishing the same week of November 2011. I was so caught up getting my own book marketed, having my launch party and celebrating in general, I have to admit I never got around to reading Lynda's book, Mind over Madi.

So when the sequel to the first book Madily in Love came out, I jumped at the chance to read and review it, and now I'm sorry I missed the first book. I loved this story. I loved Lynda's voice (writing style), her humor, and all the crazy predicaments her main character Madison McCall gets into navigating through two teenagers and a tweener, her husband and live-in mother-in-law. And in the midst of a chaotic household she's determined to put more romance back into her relationship with her husband.

I found myself laughing out loud more than once, and at other times tear up when a scene touched my heart. I gave it five stars at Amazon.

Lynda Schab is an author to watch. I don't think we're going to see the last of her for a long, long time. You can learn more about her at her website

You can get your copy at Amazon in print (now on discount) or in the Kindle version. Whatever your preferred mode of reading, you won't be disappointed with this one!