October 2024 New Releases More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website General Contemporary: I’ll Be Home by Darlene L. Turner , by Sara Davison , Helena Smrcek, Melanie Stevenson -- With chaos and confusion all around them, can they find their way home this Christmas? The people in these four stories are all searching for something—an escaped convict, a job promotion from a love interest, connection to a lost parent, answers across time. Christmas should be a time of wonder and celebration, but the obstacles each faces seem insurmountable. Perhaps they will find what they are seeking during this season of miracles and hope. Or maybe, with God’s help, they will discover that the longing of their hearts takes them to places—and people—they didn’t even know they’d been searching for. (General Contemporary, Independently Published) Chokecherry Valley Collection by Jean Rezab -- One accident. Two devastated families. Paul Richmond's life changed in an instant when his wife and seven-year-old daughter die in a car accident. He struggles to move forward with this huge change. As his two-year sobriety anniversary approaches, he knows he's on the edge of a relapse. He takes a sabbatical from his work as a doctor and works on his in-law's farm to get perspective and try to come to terms with his new life. What if Paul could have the one thing he desires most? To see and speak to his daughter again. (General Contemporary, Independently Published) Contemporary Romance: A Match Made at Christmas by Amy R. Anguish , Sarah Anne Crouch , Lori DeJong , Heather Greer -- A mischievous little boy, an interfering friend, a committee of Christmas planners, and a quartet of teenage elves play matchmakers in this fun collection of Christmas romances. (Contemporary Romance, Scrivenings Press) The Warrior’s B&B by Jennie Atkins -- Is it possible for a man to fall in love with two different women and never suspect they are the same person? (Contemporary Romance from Amazon) The Dream of a Cowboy by Elsie Davis -- Cowboys who deserve a second chance at love and happiness and the women strong enough to show them the way...Texas style! (Contemporary Romance from Sweet Romance Publishing) One Starry Christmas by Mary A. Felkins -- A pastor with a past faces his greatest challenge. Redemption. (Contemporary Romance from Gardenia Press) Wild at Heart by Alyssa Schwarz -- She craves adventure. He's had enough adventure for a lifetime. But when these two friends find themselves searching the skies for an endangered hawk, they’ll find there’s more at stake than the future of Wild Rose Ridge. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published) Historical: Brave by Mesu Andrews -- In the tumultuous world of ancient Israel, Ahinoam--a fierce and unconventional Kenite woman--flees her family farm with her dagger-wielding father to join the ragtag band of misfits led by the shepherd-turned-warrior David ben Jesse. As King Saul's treasonous accusations echo through the land, Ahinoam's conviction that David's anointing makes him Yahweh's chosen king propels her on a perilous journey to Moab, only to encounter hardship and betrayal. (Historical from Bethany House Publishing) All We Thought We Knew by Michelle Shocklee -- In the midst of pain and loss two women must come face-to-face with their own assumptions about what they thought they knew about themselves and others. What they discover will lead to a far greater appreciation of their own legacies and the love of those dearest to them. (Historical from Tyndale House) Historical Romance: One Special Christmas by Amanda Cabot -- It will take a miracle to salvage her dreams, but Christmas is the season of miracles, isn’t it? (Historical Romance from ByDand Publishing) A Christmas at Hotel del Coronado by Kathleen Denly -- Her entire life, Eleanore Wainright has been molded to fit the ideal society wife in the glittering world of New York’s elite. Her father’s aspirations for her are clear: marry a man of wealth and status and secure their family’s future. But when she arrives at the Hotel del Coronado with intentions to do just that, Eleanore’s carefully laid plans are thrown into disarray when she comes face to face with Thomas Harding, the man who shattered her heart and disappeared without a trace. (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books) Beyond Shattered Dreams by Cynthia Roemer -- After months in a Confederate prison camp, Private Will Everett boards the Sultana eager to return home and leave behind the horrors of war. One day into the voyage, the overcrowded steamboat explodes, rendering Will injured and unable to recall his identity. With only a pocket watch and the name Will E. etched inside to guide him, Will begins a relentless quest to find his forgotten past. (Historical Romance from Scrivenings Press) Healing Hearts by Sherida Stewart -- Two wounded hearts. His shattered by grief, hers burdened by guilt. Will these two hurting hearts be healed by love and faith? A frontier “Beauty and the Beast” tale set in New Mexico Territory. (Historical Romance, Independently Published) Middle-grade Chapter books: The Beastie of Brambly Bald by Amanda Cleary Eastep -- Jack Finch’s plan to gobble up tons of turkey over Thanksgiving Break and work on the Tree Street Kids’ fort has been foiled. Instead, the Finches are traveling to the mountains of North Carolina to visit grandparents Jack barely knows. Thank goodness his best friends Ellison and Roger are coming with him to the cabin on Brambly Bald mountain. But something is lurking in the forest, and soon Jack uncovers a secret bigger than Bigfoot. When the kids come face to face with a real threat, will Jack find a way to protect his friends? Jack braves danger, finds new branches on his family tree, and discovers what it means to be rooted in God’s great family. (Middle-grade/Chapter Books from Moody Publishers) Mystery/Suspense/Thriller: Time to Pay by Susan Page Davis -- A near miss for Tony throws the squad into high gear. Captain Harvey Larson is summoned by the mayor to help solve a crime she doesn’t want publicized. Was the caller threatening her or her husband? Meanwhile, the detectives in the Priority Unit are chasing down other criminals. (Mystery [Police Procedural] from Tea Tin Press) 70 North by Kimberley Woodhouse -- In this thrilling finale, mysteries deepen, faith is tested, and the pulse of cyber threats intensifies against the striking backdrop of Deadhorse, Alaska. (Contemporary Suspense from Kregel Publications) Romantic Suspense: Terminal Danger by Jerusha Agen -- When a busload of schoolchildren disappears, Phoenix Gray knows the kidnapper is the unidentified serial killer she’s spent her life trying to catch. This time, she’ll find the killer and bring him to justice no matter what it takes. She and her Phoenix K-9 Security and Detection Agency join the search for the hostages, but they aren’t the only ones who want the criminal captured. (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published [ACFW QIP]) Finding Amanda by Robin Patchen -- A gripping tale of trauma, justice, and the extraordinary strength of a man who’ll do anything to protect the woman he loves. (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published [ACFW QIP]) Search and Detect by Terri Reed -- When her home is destroyed by a bomb, Zoe and her little girl need protection and FBI agent Chase Rawlston takes on the job while determining if the bombing is related to the serial killer he's tracking. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin]) Assigned to Protect by Melanie D. Snitker -- Police Officer Jenny Durant and FBI Agent Blake Patterson are assigned to protect a witness who is testifying in a high-profile case. Before she can testify, a bomb goes off at the courthouse, throwing everything into chaos. With multiple casualties and another missing defendant, it's impossible to know for sure who the actual target was, and whether this attack is only the beginning… (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published) Guarding Truth by Kelly Underwood -- The one thing that Former Army Ranger turned elite bodyguard Juliette Montgomery regrets is never telling fellow solider Caleb Styles her true feelings. But how could she? They were co-workers, and then the guy went and saved her life. And that turned out to be the one thing that cost them their relationship. So Juliette has moved on, trying to forget Caleb—and her feelings. Caleb hasn’t forgotten her either. But he has no idea she now lives in Savannah, Georgia…especially since his life is full as guardian of his niece, Ivy, after her parents were killed.… (Romantic Suspense from Sunrise Publishing) Unexpected Witness by Penny Zeller -- Nurse Mila Casey did not expect to witness a murder in the clinic’s parking lot. Nor did she imagine seeking protection from the at-large killer would land her on a secluded ranch owned by handsome, but standoffish, Roarke Brenneman. Mila finds herself in the center of ever-growing danger as the police are unable to locate the suspect. When the protection of the ranch is compromised and Mila’s location is discovered, can she, with Roarke’s aid, stay one step ahead of a crazed murderer who intends to silence her… (Romantic Suspense from Maplebrook Publishing) Speculative Fiction: The Castle Rose by Tabitha Caplinger -- Bastian Roux lived and died a hundred years ago. Kind of. He certainly feels like nothing more than a ghost as he haunts the abandoned Castle Rose Theatre, his only solace found in the notes of his piano. That is until Odette arrives. (Speculative Urban Fantasy from Blue Ink Press) Western: Into the Sunset by Mary Connealy -- To finally escape the clutches of her controlling husband and the threat of being recommitted to an asylum, Ginny Rutledge enlists the help of her friends, Maeve O'Toole and Dakota Harlan. Fleeing their own tumultuous pasts, the group embarks on a journey to prove Ginny's sanity. However, as they confront the shadows they wish they could forget, danger looms from unexpected places. (Western from Bethany House)   Plus check out these recent additions to Fiction Finder published within the past month: Sundancer’s Joy by Elsie Davis -- Where hope and healing unite… (Contemporary Romance) A Codebreaker’s Christmas Surprise by Anne Greene -- A secret kept by the US Government for 80 years finally revealed. (Historical Romance) Fellowship of the Frazzled Moms by Stephanie Paige King -- One mom's simple act of crossing the cul-de-sac ignites a movement for an entire community of women. (General Contemporary) In Pursuit of the Truth by Melanie D. Snitker -- When the situation escalates to danger, it’s up to Nate to keep them safe. (Romantic Suspense) The Reluctant Pioneer by Julie McDonald Zander -- In 1847, with her husband and four young sons, a pregnant mother crosses the Oregon Trail, a two-thousand-mile journey to the Pacific Northwest. When tragedy strikes, she must find the strength to continue. (Western)