Author Archives: Janet Sketchley

About Janet Sketchley

Janet Sketchley is an Atlantic Canadian writer whose Redemption’s Edge Christian suspense novels have each been finalists in The Word Awards. She's also the author of the devotional collection, A Year of Tenacity. Janet blogs about faith and books. She loves Jesus and her family, and enjoys reading, worship music, and tea. Fans of Christian suspense are invited to join her writing journey through her monthly newsletter: bit.ly/JanetSketchleyNews.

New Releases in Christian Fiction (July 2026)

July 2026 New Releases
More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website

Contemporary Romance:

New Beginnings in Shady Springs by Sarah Anne Crouch — When the storm passes, can two guarded hearts believe in love again? Perfect for fans of heartwarming Christian romance, this tender small-town story weaves together friendship, faith, grief, and healing as two guarded hearts must decide whether love is worth trusting again. (Contemporary Romance from Scrivenings Press)

Second Shot at Love by Carolyn Miller — Ten years ago Genevieve Rivas made a mistake that changed her entire family. Since that, she’s done all she can to make up for it and make them proud and is now working as a junior doctor in one of Seattle’s leading hospitals. Everything is finally tracking as it should be, until one day a blast from the past re-enters her life. Ten years ago, Kyle Tinkler thought he had it all. Until a night of celebration went too far and he lost the person he held most dear as he chased his NHL dream. Now he might be Seattle’s top player, but his hard shot and skills on the ice aren’t enough to dodge the guilt now he’s returned to his old stomping ground. When injury reunites these two, regrets soar and secrets become increasingly hard to hide, threatening to fracture two families. And while God is a healer and redeemer of broken pasts, can they learn the power of forgiveness to find a way forward? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

Trusting the Single Dad by Meghann Whistler — Former bad boy Devin Spencer never thought his past would follow him back to Cape Cod—but neither did Cassie Reed. Tasked with reopening her family’s beloved summer camp, Cassie is determined to keep her distance from the man. But Devin’s dedication to giving his young daughter a stable life starts to break down her walls. As they grow closer, Cassie’s heartbreaking secret and Devin’s troubled history threaten to keep them apart. Can they find the courage to face the past and create the family they’ve both been searching for? (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Cozy Mystery:
Dumpsters and Dragons by Susan Page Davis and Page M. Davis — They threw it away, and now they’ll kill to get it back. When garbage collector Cassie Willis finds coded documents in a dumpster, her routine route turns deadly. Chased by a sinister biker and pulled into a murder investigation, Cassie must follow hidden clues tied to an online game before the killer strikes again. Dumpsters and Dragons is a small-town suspense novel where faith, danger, and mystery collide. (Cozy Mystery from Scrivenings Press)

Crime Thriller/Suspense:
When Daylight is Gone by Georgia Curtis Ling — The Pastors’ Wives Club is back! From #1 Amazon bestselling author Georgia Curtis Ling comes When Daylight Is Gone a new standalone novel in the Pastors’ Wives Club Suspense series. When a child is left for dead in the Appalachian wilderness, four pastors’ wives hunt a monstrous predator through a dark forest of buried sins. These unlikely warriors, armed with unshakable faith and a refusal to yield, are determined stop him before another child vanishes into the darkness. (Crime Thriller/Suspense, Independently Published)

General Historical:

The Amazing Crab Alley Revival by Sharon Wilharm — The year is 1897 and wealthy widow Lydia Culpepper is evaluating her mundane existence. For sixty-three years, she’s faithfully gone through the motions of fulfilling everyone else’s expectations for her life, but nothing she does is ever enough. She longs for something more. When a young boy comes to her house in search of his missing coon dog, she gets her wish. She meets Emily Reed, a young finishing school instructor, and Opal Jackson, an Irish single mother, and the three women join together on a mission that turns the First Baptist Church on its head. Suddenly, the town is in an uproar as lives are being changed. When Yellow Fever hits, it looks like their efforts may have been in vain, but the epidemic isn’t enough to thwart the fruits of the Crab Alley Revival. (General Historical from Elk Lake Publishing)

Historical Romance:


Beyond the Melody by Amanda Cabot — By the spring of 1946, life in Sweetwater Crossing is almost back to normal after the war. Not Anna Finley’s. She lost her chance at happily-ever-after when the man she loved was killed in France. Anna does her best to hide her sorrow and a secret that haunts her as she works on the jukeboxes she inherited when her brother died in combat. There’s no point in dreaming about what might have been. Jim Smythe is also grieving a shattered life. His fiancee broke their engagement, reminding him that a respected magazine said it should take no more than three weeks for a veteran to forget the war. But Jim cannot forget the men in his platoon who didn’t return home, and he’s made it his mission to visit each of the fallen soldiers’ families, hoping to give them some small measure of comfort. Sweetwater Crossing is his final stop. After that, he’ll have to return to Boston and the life that holds no appeal. If only he could find an alternative, one where people saw him for himself, not his family’s name. He’s given up hope that anyone will understand what his parents and fiancee did not, but everything changes when he enters a small cafe and sees a woman whose eyes reflect his own pain standing next to a jukebox. Jim knows he’ll never see her again, yet it somehow feels right to extend his hand and say, “May I have this dance?” It’s a once-in-a-lifetime moment for two wounded people unless they can overcome their fears and find the courage to love again. (Historical Romance from ByDand Publishing)


To Fall in Love at Christmas by Robin Lee Hatcher — Alice MacPherson came to Idaho with nothing but her nursing skills, her Bible, and a lifetime of rules that have left her weary in both body and soul. Color, beauty, and celebration feel frivolous to her, a distraction from the seriousness of faith and her nursing profession. She expects nothing more for her future than work and solitude. Reverend Truman Blankenship has spent five years tending his small flock in Gibeon. Shy by nature, but strong in faith, he delights in the joy of Christ—especially at Christmastime, when he fills the church and parsonage with greenery, candles, and celebration. Thrown together in the homes of the sick, in the bustle of the town’s Christmas preparations, and in the laughter of children rehearsing a nativity play, Truman and Alice discover unexpected attraction. Her rigid beliefs may clash with his merry faith, but in the glow of Christmas, both will find that God’s love can heal the past—and open their hearts to a future filled with hope and joy. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)

To Chase the Stars by Tara Johnson — A sailor hiding a dark past, and a woman on the run… Will they find what their hearts are looking for? Isabelle Holland is trapped in a life she never wanted. When her tyrannical aunt plans her marriage to an odious man, and with no word from her family in Charleston, she feels her life is over…until she meets a sea captain who can offer her a way to flee Savannah and unravel the mystery of her family’s secrets. Captain Henry Kincaid is running from the demons of his past. His only solace? (Historical Romance, Independently Published)


A Mess of Dreams by Jessie Mattis — In spring of 1943, seventeen-year-old Lorene Stewart isn’t looking for complications. She’s content on her parents’ Illinois farm, longing for the day she might travel beyond the cornfields of Potomac. But when Amos Alexander chooses her angel food cake at the town cakewalk, everything changes. For the first time since tragedy struck her family long ago, Lorene’s heart stirs with hope. Yet as quickly as their romance sparks, a world torn apart by war threatens to extinguish it. When Lorene befriends Dietrich, a German POW whose kindness and mysterious past captivate her, she begins to question everything. How can someone deemed “the enemy” side with all that’s right and good? And what if Amos has inherited his father’s deep prejudice, which he swore to resist? Amos seems to know what he wants, but when his father forbids him to court Lorene, it’s unclear if he will honor his parents’ wishes or pursue true love no matter the cost. Lorene must discern who she can trust if her dreams are to become reality. Her hope of a future spent changing the world with the right man at her side depends on it. (Historical Romance from Ashberry Lane)

Romantic Suspense:


Trapped by Jerusha Agen — Her lies keep her safe. Until the truth shows up. And it’s carrying a gun. Kristen Grant will do anything to protect her adopted teen daughter from the dangers of their past. No matter how many secrets it requires, Kristen will ensure Rosalia enjoys a happy life and promising future Kristen didn’t have. His childhood friend may have a different name, but that doesn’t change the way he feels. Security specialist Sean Kingston never expected to meet his childhood buddy in sleepy little Leben Falls. She’s changed, shrouded in mystery and secrets she doesn’t want to share. But when a shooter wakes up the small town, it seems those secrets are going to get Kristen killed. Freedom has a price, and the enemy of Kristen’s past has come to collect. Will Kristen have to pay with her life, or can Sean and his God set her free? (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published)


Overdrive by Taylor S. Newport — The mission looked simple. But the enemy is closer, faster, and deadlier than they imagined. Tyler Reid needs a break, but trouble finds him first. A call from London pulls him into a missing-person case linked to a powerful surveillance project that’s suddenly worth killing for. The deeper he digs, the more bodies he finds—and the more obvious it becomes that someone wants the entire system for themselves. Alexandra “Alex” Romanova is looking for an escape from Veritek and the weight waiting for her back home. A trip with Tyler should’ve been the break they both needed. But when the case escalates and puts her company in the crosshairs, she goes with him—trying to keep him grounded even as the danger forces him to speed up. The investigation spirals into a breakneck pursuit, ambushes snapping at their heels as their unknown enemy stays one move ahead. Someone is erasing anyone tied to the project, leaving bodies instead of answers. With the elusive threat closing fast, Tyler and Alex are fighting to get ahead long enough to expose who’s hunting them. (Romantic Suspense from Whitewater River Publishing)

Western/Historical:


Seeds of Hope by Teresa Wells — Blooming Grove, Texas, 1896- Deputy Rabb Truitt has sworn to protect Blooming Grove. But when a clerical error sets a criminal free, Rabb blames himself. He should’ve admitted he can’t read, and now he must resign. If he failed the town once, he could fail it again. A recent survivor of a devastating fire, Sallie Parker refuses to let Rabb give up the job he loves. She helps him make sense of letters on the page, and as his knowledge grows, so do their feelings for each other. When a series of mysterious events surround Sallie’s school, Rabb fears a connection to cattle rustlers he’s pursuing. Each day without arrest, the demands for mob justice increase. Rabb races to protect the town and the woman he loves. But is he too late? (Western Historical from Scrivenings Press)

Plus check out these recent additions to Fiction Finder published within the past month:

Burns and Beauty – Philistines by Christine Dillon — Saphi has spent her life despising the mother who scarred her face and condemned her to obscurity as a temple sweeper in the house of Dagon. Scorned and friendless, she expects nothing from the Philistine gods except silence. Then the Philistines capture the ark of the God of Israel. (Contemporary Romance)

Dotty Makes a Difference by Jeni Jennings — What if what makes you different makes all the difference? Set against the stunning backdrop of gorgeous African landscapes, this heartwarming story of faith, courage, and friendship for readers 3-8 will inspire children to embrace their differences and see the beauty in all God’s creations. (Children’s/Picture Books)

Praying for Mr. Wright by Kimberly Kirkland Absher — A worship leader, a matchmaking scheme, and an unexpected love story. Praying for Mr. Wright is a warm, faith-filled contemporary Christian Romance about surrendering expectations, trusting God with your heart, and discovering that sometimes the answer to prayer looks nothing like the plan you imagined. (Contemporary Romance)

Diamonds & Dynamite by Jane Daly — When a stolen diamond, a deadly cartel, and a secretive mine collide, love might be the most explosive force of all. (Romantic Suspense)

Rainbow Valley by Cathe Swanson — The life they built is changing. The past they buried is calling. Rainbow Valley is a heartfelt story of marriage, faith, identity, and the courage to rediscover each other after a lifetime of becoming someone new. (Historical Romance)

Something New by Cathe Swanson — Coming home is the last thing Charlea wants—but it may be the beginning of everything she’s been searching for. (Contemporary Women’s Fiction)

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Review: The Alchemist of Riddle and Ruin, by Gigi Pandian

A pink background framed by black border. Black cutout-type illustration of a crouched grinning gargoyle holding a candle, facing a crow on a thin tree. The book title fills the top of the image, with the author's information at the bottom.

The Alchemist of Riddle and Ruin, by Gigi Pandian (Gargoyle Girl Productions, 2022)

Zoe’s an alchemist, sure, but she doesn’t believe in magic. Or in ghosts. So when she and a friend see a teenage girl who was murdered 16 years ago, she’s shaken. Her idea of a rational explanation is that maybe the girl was a prodigy who found the Elixir of Life at a young age, faked her own death, and has reappeared.

Most of her friends’ votes split between “ghost” and “trick.”

Anyone else who’s seen the apparition was connected with the dead girl. Zoe’s friend was the intended target at their sighting. And one sighting led to an injury. Is Zoe’s friend in danger too?

The sixteen-year-old murder case was never solved. Along with trying to find the truth about the “ghost,” Zoe and friends want to find the murderer and bring closure to the girl’s family and friends. Although the crime happened in the past, the investigation has a satisfying locked-room feel since everyone’s convinced the killer was one of the small group invited to the girl’s homecoming party the day she died.

Alchemist Zoe Faust, a 300+ year-old herbalist currently living in Oregon, may have been intended as the star of this series, but living gargoyle Dorian charms his way into first place. There’s something about this old-fashioned, formerly-stone, classically-trained French chef that endears him to readers. And beginning in the previous book he has his own point of view chapters.

I’m so fond of these characters. We have a mix of these two who are very old, a few even older friends, regular adults like Zoe’s boyfriend, and some ordinary teens. The interplay works well.

The Alchemist of Riddle and Ruin is book 6 in the Accidental Alchemist series. Each mystery reads well as a stand-alone, although there’s character and relationship development along the way. There’s no harm in starting here, but it’s such a good series I have to suggest you begin at the beginning with The Accidental Alchemist.

USA Today bestselling and Agatha Award-winning author Gigi Pandian also writes the Secret Staircase mysteries and the Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt mysteries. And there’s a new Jaya Jones series coming in 2027: the Scottish Treasure Hunt Mysteries. For more about the author and her work visit gigipandian.com.

[Review copy from the public library.]

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Review: Reading the Bible on Turtle Island: An Invitation to North American Indigenous Interpretation, by T. Christopher Hoklotubbe and H. Daniel Zacharias

Colours of red, orange, brown, white. Circles including a crown of thorns surround the title "Reading the Bible on Turtle Island" Subtitle and authors' names are also featured on the cover.

Reading the Bible on Turtle Island: An Invitation to North American Indigenous Interpretation, by T. Christopher Hoklotubbe and H. Daniel Zacharias (InterVarsity Press, 2025)

“What does it look like to be authentically Indigenous and a follower of Jesus?” [p. 160]

The authors explore this question with an approach that “invites Indigenous Christians to hold together both our Indigenous and Christian identities when we interpret Scripture” instead of going with the default “Euroamerican” interpretation. [p. 102]

From the forward, by Shari Russell:

“Danny and Chris seek to build bridges between Christian understandings and Indigenous perspectives, showing the breadth, depth, and inclusivity of the gospel’s invitation.” [p. xi]

Reading the Bible on Turtle Island is a book for two groups: Indigenous and non-Indigenous. In other words, everyone can find something useful in its pages.

From the authors:

“We hope that this book is received as an invitation for Indigenous followers of Christ to read Scripture in light of their own ancestral wisdoms, stories, and ceremonies.” [p. 188]

T. Christopher Hoklotubbe and H. Daniel Zacharias are scholars who researched heavily to bring balance and clarity to a small part of the vast intricacy of their subject. They delved deeper than reading—they spent much time listening to the stories and learning from elders and peers in Canada and the United States.

They’re also two ordinary North Americans living the ongoing reclamation of their Indigenous cultural heritage. This is why I say what they’ve written is for everyone.

Although some of the concepts went a little over my head, my heart caught the stories. I’ve peeked into another culture’s understanding and experiences, and I have so much more to learn. (Note for the sensitive: When necessary, the book refers to Indigenous suffering but in ways that neither traumatize nor inflame.)

Readers will encounter concepts like asset-based vs. deficit-based theology (God’s intent for good vs. humans’ sin), nature’s living parables, reading Scripture with the heart, and perhaps my personal favourite: how “the blood of Jesus purifies” vs. being to “placate the wrath of an angry God.” [p. 66]

This book is an incredibly rich treasure. I hope it will speak wholeness where harm still lingers and unity in place of suspicion. May its impact be great as the conversations continue.

My own roots are mainly 1750s settlers, giving me many generations of history in the Mi’kma’ki region. Yet I still lack the rootedness to the land which forms so much of the Indigenous understanding.

Reading this book revealed many ways my understanding has been shaped by Euroamerican culture and assumptions. And the corresponding “colonizing” form of Christianity where ways that might actually be complementary must be cut off because the “colonizers” don’t understand them.

As well as informing my awareness, the authors have shown me areas of my faith where colonialist roots can be replaced by attitudes better aligning to the ways of Jesus. I’m grateful.

Reading the Bible on Turtle Island is amply stocked with footnotes. Most cite sources, at times giving additional content. But there are some surprise chuckles as these two writing friends occasionally poke fun at one another.

T. Christopher Hoklotubbe and H. Daniel Zacharias are university professors (Cornell College, Iowa and Acadia Divinity College, Nova Scotia) and also on faculty with NAIITS: An Indigenous Learning Community. Visit the InterVarsity Press site to view a one-minute introduction from the authors and to preview the first chapter for free. And click here to read an interview with Danny Zacharias.

[Review copy from my household library.]

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Growing Older (Guest Post)

Growing Older

by Steph Beth Nickel

I have reached the age that the Canadian government classifies as “a senior.”

Why did this trip me up for the briefest of moments? Is it because I subscribe to the apparent worldview that “you can’t be young, thin, or rich enough”? I don’t.

Is it solely because I want to “finish well” and leave a God-honouring legacy? While that’s a big part of it, it wouldn’t be honest to say that was the only reason.

I truly love this stage of life. I have more time with my hubby now that he’s retired. He left his “temporary job” after more that forty years, nine days after his 70th birthday. We are completing several long-needed renovations to our century home and will take some time to enjoy it before moving west to be close to family, Lord willing. Because of God’s grace, I have family and friends who love me and enjoy spending time with me. The list could go on and on.

Still, there are so many perspectives on aging, and I want to set a good example for others, whether they are in their fall or winter years or still in the spring or summer of their lives. But it’s a matter of finding the balance between assumptions, reality, and eternal matters.

Do we have to accept the fact that our health is going to rapidly decline?

While it’s unlikely that we will have the physical acumen that we had in our 20s, 30s, 40s, and even 50s, it isn’t inevitable that there’s nothing we can do about it. Eating well, staying active, getting adequate rest, continuing to learn new things, and participating in a supportive social community go a long way in maintaining our physical, emotional, and intellectual health.

Do we have to buy into the anti-aging industry?

What a loaded term, anti-aging! Even the term makes aging the enemy. Whether or not you agree with the premise, Dove was onto something when they brought out their line of “pro-aging” products. I don’t know enough about the company to know if it was truly anything more than a marketing approach. Still, if we viewed aging with a positive attitude and encouraged others to do the same, I believe we would make a more positive impact on those around us—whether our nighttime routine includes 30 minutes of skincare or less than five minutes.

Do we have to resign ourselves to being confounded by technology?

It’s true that technology is constantly changing, but that doesn’t mean we can’t learn enough to at least be “in the loop.” There are plenty of seniors who successfully use cell phones and computers. There are even several who do so “like a boss.” And when it comes to the things we want to learn about tech, what better way than to ask a young person to show us the ropes? We just may learn something new, and they may learn how to effectively distill what they seem to know instinctively and patiently share it with another person.

Do we have to cringe when others refer to us as old and assume they mean this as a negative?

This is the crux of the matter for many of us. Their attitude toward aging, whether actual or merely something we assume, doesn’t have to shape ours. If we embrace the positives of getting older (and there are many), we may be influential in changing another’s perspective—and maybe even our own. And while it may stir up anxiety, resentment, or some other unpleasant emotion when someone makes a joke about Boomers, we can deliberately refocus and give thanks that because we’re still drawing breath, we still have purpose.

Do we have only two options: buy into the negative press about getting older or become resentful and rebellious?

We may vacillate between the two, but there are other options. Here are just a few of them: 1) we can keep a thankfulness journal specifically about the things we enjoy about aging, 2) we can get involved in a social group in whatever capacity corresponds with our interests and abilities, and/or 3) we can choose one healthy habit to pursue (it may be more achievable than we imagined).

And my new government-assigned category? Well, I have received my first OAS and CPP cheques. So, there’s that. <grin>


Photo credit: Jaime Mellor Photography

As an editor, Steph Beth Nickel has the honour of coming alongside writers to help them polish their work. As the coauthor of Paralympian Deb Willows’s memoirs, Steph has been blessed to work with this amazing woman. And as a future self-published author, with the Lord’s help, Steph has taken brave steps toward publication.

If you would like more information about her services, you can contact her at stephbethnickelediting@gmail.com.

You’re invited to visit her website: http://stephbethnickeleditor.com/.

You can join her Editing Tips Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/418423519384351.

New Releases in Christian Fiction (June 2026)

June 2026 New Releases
More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website

Children’s Picture Books:

Would You Rather: Bible Attire Adventures by Jerah Alvarado — Would you rather wear a coat of many colors like Joseph? Or would you rather wear clothes made of camel fur like John the Baptist? Choose from thirteen different Bible clothing adventures, the one you would rather experience! (Children’s Picture Book from Mt. Zion Ridge Press)

Contemporary Romance:
Wildflower Heart by Tara Baisden — She didn’t come to Serenity Crossing to fall in love. She came to disappear. Tori Hamilton has spent nearly her entire life being managed by a powerful family who gave her everything except the one thing she actually wanted — to be loved for who she is. After a lottery win hands her the means to finally break free, she leaves Atlanta behind and drives to a small mountain town in Tennessee where nobody knows her name, her family, or the secret she’s carrying. She buys a house, purchases a building for the flower shop she’s always dreamed of, and begins building the ordinary, beautiful life her parents would call beneath her. But the fresh start she’s counting on has a crack running through it — because the truth she left out of her new story is the one thing that could cost her everything. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

Cozy Mystery:
Gone with the Woodwinds by Jennifer Lamont Leo — January 1921 brings two arrivals to Timber Coulee, Idaho: the Idaho All-State Music Competition, and a killer. Amanda Parrish, proprietress of Mountain Melodies Music Shop and newly engaged to Sheriff James Holcomb, has pulled off a small coup for the local planning committee—convincing her old conservatory friend to come up from the University of Idaho to judge the woodwinds competition. Gerald arrives on the train charming, warm, and unchanged after twenty years. He is dead before the week is out. Suspicion settles immediately on Amanda’s co-manager, Callan MacTavish—a Scottish WWI veteran whose midnight walks and troubled silences make him an easy target. Amanda knows better. The clock is ticking on finding the real killer before they vanish forever…or strike again. (Cozy Mystery, Independently Published)

Dual Timeline:
Jane’s Secret by Jennifer E. Tirrell — Bound by blood, but separated by centuries, the two women unravel a hidden family secret in a thrilling quest for truth that could change everything. Jennifer E. Tirrell’s richly layered suspense story weaves between the Tudor period and present day, pulls readers into a world of hidden truths, historical intrigue, and modern-day discovery. (Dual Timeline from Ambassador International)

General Historical:

Shining Bright by Janet Joanou Weiner — How can a young woman with disability contribute to the French Resistance? Can she survive Nazi contempt? Jeanine Bourguet resides in a château in the south of France, but her life is no fairy tale. A repressive grandmother and a wheelchair have long impeded her desire to make significant contributions to her community. When those limitations threaten her determination to take in a young Jewish refugee, Jeanine’s lively mind and sharp sense of justice overrule her fragile body. Increasing deportations of Jewish families, food and clothing shortages, and a constant stream of Nazi propaganda present her opportunities to resist the tightening noose of Nazi control under the turncoat Vichy regime. (General Historical, Independently Published)

Historical Romance:


Mail-Order Viscountess by Misty M Beller — When a Montana blizzard strands two strangers in a cave, honor demands a vow neither of them want. Nobody knows the truth about newly knighted Lord Thomas Balfour. He doesn’t deserve the honor being showered on him, so after this last trip with his brother and sister-in-law to Butte for supplies, he’ll leave this territory behind completely. But once he reaches town, he’s blindsided to discover his brothers have ordered him a bride by post. A woman complicates everything. And even worse—the bride has brought her sister. Kate McKinney masterminded this journey west to rescue her younger sister from their controlling mother’s plans. Yet one look at the intended groom’s scowl, and Kate’s doubts bloom. Maybe this mail-order marriage scheme will be far worse for her beloved sister than the wealthy brute their ambitious mother arranged. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)


Freed by the Frontier by Denise Farnsworth, Sherry Shindelar, and Susan F. Craft — Three remarkable women find themselves caught between two worlds on the American frontier. A captive of the Comanche must choose between escaping to white society or her growing feelings for a rising war chief in 1850s Texas. A Georgia judge’s daughter flees an unwanted betrothal during the War of 1812, only to be captured by Creek warriors but protected by a mysterious brave. And in 1754, an English lady traveling the Great Wagon Road to become a music teacher discovers her carefully planned future may not survive her attraction to a protective frontiersman. (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)


Uncharted Blessing by Keely Brooke Keith — When Charlotte’s caregiving leads her into Josiah’s home and an orphaned baby into her arms, two wounded hearts discover an unexpected blessing. Uncharted Blessing (Book Sixteen in the Uncharted series) weaves past and future in a faith-filled story of life in a hidden land. Prepare to be captivated by this timeless romance, brimming with mystery and suspense. Perfect for readers seeking traditional family values, faithful men who are true heroes, and clean, heartwarming courtships. If you enjoy the simplicity of frontier romance and the wholesomeness of Amish fiction, you’ll adore Uncharted Blessing. (Historical Romance, Independently Publish)


Eye of the Beholder by Linda Shenton Matchett — Left with physical and emotional scars after the Great War, Hank Drake has been shunned by polite society as the Ugly Duckling. Fine by him. He’d much rather be alone. Until he meets the kind proprietress of a tea stand at New York’s World’s Fair who isn’t repulsed by his appearance. Can he hope for acceptance…or even love? (Historical Romance from Shortwave Press)

The Girl from Tomorrow’s Town by Naomi Musch — After being sent away on an orphan train and surviving years of hardship, nineteen year old Lily Mae Dodge is finally heading east, determined to find the mother she lost and a life shaped by hope rather than fear. On the journey she meets Francis Basnett, a kindhearted circus roustabout barred from the Great War by his failing vision and concealing deeper unworthiness behind a pair of dark glasses. Though branded a coward by strangers, Francis longs to prove his courage. Drawn to Lily’s quiet resilience, he offers friendship and refuge in the dazzling world of the traveling Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus, as she begins her search. There, amid the sawdust and spangles, Lily allows her guarded heart to soften. But when a runaway train slams into the circus cars in the dead of night—igniting a catastrophic fire—her fragile new beginning collapses. Dozens are dead, hundreds injured. . .and Francis is missing. (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)


Sarah’s Search by Jodie Wolfe — Can two searching hearts find the same path? All her life, Sarah McBride has gone along with whatever her guardian dictates. Now on the verge of graduating from the Shippensburg State Normal School, she questions her ability to teach in a classroom when her heart isn’t in the profession. What she wouldn’t give to pursue her heart’s desire of becoming a writer instead of following what’s expected. But how can Sarah defy her guardian’s plans? (Historical Romance, Independently Published)


A Heart’s Hope by Penny Zeller — To what lengths will one woman go to rescue her sister? She’s from high society. He’s a humble rancher. Can an unorthodox marriage lead to love? A Heart’s Hope is a heartwarming marriage-of-convenience love story that reminds us that God has a way of working out even the most unconventional things. (Historical Romance from Maplebrook Publishing)

Speculative Fiction Fantasy:


Scarlet Oak by Demi Griffin — With the fragrance of Cerulean roses filling the air, all seemed well in the kingdom at last. Dealing with guilt and fractured loyalty, Enris wasn’t prepared to embark on the quest his father asked him to take. With his newly restored relationship with the King of Cerulean redefining him as both a son and a prince, Enris couldn’t refuse the odd request to locate a twin brother he never knew he had. (Speculative Fiction Fantasy, Independently Published)

Speculative Fiction Romance Fantasy:

Canthany Rising by Kenneth Bliss — T’alla was a simple cat frolicking in Eden until the serpent came and changed everything. She and six other animals willingly ate the only fruit T’WA-O, the Three-Who-Are-One, had forbidden. Instead of just being expelled from the Garden, they awake in another world called Canthany with human-like forms. Strange rules govern this world, where health points, character levels and special abilities determine survival. And they’re not alone. The fallen angel, Ashtoreth, wants to steal them away from T’WA-O and make them and their future generations her slaves. Unsure of her place, T’alla must master her newfound psionic abilities and conquer her fears. Armed with a mysterious staff called Kolonos, every battle with Ashtoreth’s demonic minions brings new knowledge and new skills, but also a test of the Seven’s faith in T’WA-O. In a world where prayer is power and sacrifice unlocks miracles, some victories will require the ultimate price. (Speculative Fiction Romantic Fantasy, Independently)

 

Plus check out these recent additions to Fiction Finder published within the past month:

Find Me at the Table by Andrea Christenson — She ruined his career with one review. Now they have to cook together. (Contemporary Romance)

Three Good Lies by Luana Ehrlich — When CIA operative Titus Ray arrives in Panama, he discovers the intel is false, the sources can’t be trusted, and the objective is a lie. With his team under fire and the secret police closing in, Titus must rely on his training—and his faith—to survive and uncover the truth. (Romantic Suspense)

A Refuge in Montana by Allie Pleiter — In Big Sky Country, Sometimes forgiveness takes the most courage… For her son’s sake, widowed veterinarian Vicky Siden works hard to pretend all is well. But the arrival of game warden Nick Youngston at her family’s animal rescue—with a horse and donkey in tow—changes everything. (Contemporary Romance)

Callie’s Redemption by Tammie Edington Shaw — Can a pampered Eastern young woman, alone and betrayed, learn to trust and love again in the rugged West and a young man from the West pursue his calling to be a preacher and leave his love for a transplanted Eastern girl behind? (Historical Romance)

The Stained Glass Window by Crystal Walton — She’s fighting to heal him. He’s risking everything to protect her. In the line of fire, they’ll need a miracle to survive. (Contemporary Romantic Suspense)

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Review: A Grave Deception, by Connie Berry

Book cover image: Stone houses lining both sides of a peaceful canal, with a church spire among them. It looks like a quiet English village. Text: A Grave Deception, A Kate Hamilton Mystery, by Connie Berry.

A Grave Deception, by Connie Berry (Crooked Lane Books, 2025)

How on earth can an antiques expert in contemporary England put a name to a remarkably well-preserved woman secretly buried 700 years ago?

Researching a long-ago murder seems safe enough, but when a member of the archaeological team is found dead Kate is drawn into that investigation as well.

The present-day killing has a classic British house-party vibe, with its limited pool of suspects. Complicating things are the abundance of personal motives within the team and the dig protestors lurking on the fringes. There’s also a possibly unrelated fugitive on the loose.

Readers familiar with the Kate Hamilton Mystery series know to expect a clean, engaging mystery with engaging characters, charming Suffolk village settings, and delicious references to food.

If you’re new to the series, you can start here with book 6 without feeling lost since each story is self-contained. Kate’s relationships with Tom and Ivor develop along the way, so for the full experience you may prefer to begin with book 1, A Dream of Death.

To learn about author Connie Berry and her work, visit connieberry.com.

[Review copy from the public library.]

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The Importance of Accountability (guest post)

The Importance of Accountability

by Steph Beth Nickel

There are likely things we do without someone deliberately holding us accountable, tasks for which self-motivation is sufficient. But there could be others that keep getting put off until “tomorrow.” Your lists are almost certainly different than mine, but let’s talk about how accountability can keep us moving forward.

Here are some things that have been working for me:

Exercise

While I have a variety of dumbbells laid out where I can see them and aim to use them at least three times per week, I haven’t gotten into the habit of doing so. Most days, I do a bodyweight routine for my legs. But walking regularly? That only happens because a friend and I walk twice a month, and my hubby almost always invites me to join him when he’s going for a walk. Even though he has been retired for over a year, he still hits his 8000-step goal six days most weeks. Although I don’t have his stamina, I do say yes more often than I used to when he asks me to go for a walk.

YouVersion Bible Studies

Like many Christians, I have a “quiet time” each day, but the same friend I walk with and I have been doing YV studies online for quite some time now. Recently, my daughter has joined us. There are definitely benefits to studying on our own, but doing so with others can be an encouragement to them and to us. Plus, we can gain a new perspective when others share what they’re learning, things we may not have considered, things that didn’t stand out to us.

Writing

I began my YA novel a million years ago—or so it seems. When I committed to putting a chapter up on Substack each week, I was set for quite a while. I had written over 30 chapters. But guess what. I have now added all those chapters and must hunker down and write more. While I’ve only committed to adding a new chapter every other week, it keeps me at my computer. No more making excuses, saying, “I’ll get back to writing when I’ve completed this, that, or the other thing.” So, while the masses aren’t flocking to subscribe, those who have done so—especially those who Like the posts—unintentionally keep me accountable and motivated. Years ago, I wrote a poem called “Writing for the One,” meaning, if only one person was encouraged by what I wrote, that was enough reason for me to keep putting pen to paper and fingers to keyboard.

Will I keep exercising? That’s the plan. I want to stay as active as possible as long as possible. And I wouldn’t mind developing a little muscle tone as well.

Will I keep doing YouVersion studies? As long as Deb and Sarah would like to, I’m all in.

And writing? Will 2027 be the year I self-publish my novel and my Bible study / devotional on the book of John? Possibly. And if not, I will keep posting to Substack. I may even do a little more promo.

How has accountability kept you moving forward?


Photo credit: Jaime Mellor Photography

As an editor, Steph Beth Nickel has the honour of coming alongside writers to help them polish their work. As the coauthor of Paralympian Deb Willows’s memoirs, Steph has been blessed to work with this amazing woman. And as a future self-published author, with the Lord’s help, Steph has taken brave steps toward publication.

If you would like more information about her services, you can contact her at stephbethnickelediting@gmail.com.

You’re invited to visit her website: http://stephbethnickeleditor.com/.

You can join her Editing Tips Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/418423519384351.

New Releases in Christian Fiction (May 2026)

May 2026 New Releases
More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website

Biblical Historical:

Blaze of Honor by DM Griffin — Driven by a desire to please his father and caught in a dizzying storm of politics and family vendettas, Joram reluctantly accepts a fake marriage, meant to bring a young woman to Jerusalem so she could marry another man. Knowing how his father felt about women, a view he adopted as his own, Joram wasn’t prepared for the transformation that would take place once he began playing the role of a husband for all the wrong reasons. The treacherous journey, marked by near-death experiences, culminated with them arriving in Jerusalem amidst the vibrant Feast of Weeks. With his knowledge of God ringing hollow as a mere religious duty, Joram divorced his wife and surrendered her to another man, determined to honor his word. But when he stumbles upon the truth and feels the burning intensity of the Holy Spirit descend in a blaze of honor that illuminates far more than he could have ever imagined, Joram has to decide if he is willing to walk the path of love. (Biblical Historical, Independently Published)

Contemporary Romance:


Love in God’s Timing by Tara Baisden — Rebecca Hartwell is the woman everyone in Serenity Crossing counts on — the salon owner with the warm smile, the volunteer who never says no, the daughter and sister and friend who holds it all together. But beneath the life she has so carefully built lies a wound she refuses to name: the boy she loved at eighteen left to follow God’s call, and when she gave him the chance to fight for her, he didn’t. When Conner Delaney returns to Serenity Crossing as the new assistant pastor and walks straight back into her daily life, Rebecca discovers that a decade of distance hasn’t dulled a thing. He is steadier now. Kinder. And the way he looks at her tells her he came home carrying the same secret she did — that what they had at eighteen was never finished. When a decision looms that could separate them for good, they face the truest test of faith either has known — not whether God can restore what was lost, but whether they are brave enough to let Him. (Contemporary Romance from Sterling Ridge Press LLC)

On the Fence About You by Emily Conrad — If good fences make good neighbors, these former childhood sweethearts are doomed to stay enemies. Combat veteran Hale Bastian and veterinarian Morgan Reynolds were best friends in childhood, but since a falling out twenty years ago, they’ve become strangers to each other. So much so that they don’t realize Hale bought the house next door to Morgan upon his return to small-town Chimney Creek, Wisconsin. He recognizes his mistake—and her—as soon as his dog jumps her ridiculous little fence and absconds with her dinner. Morgan doesn’t recognize him as anything but an inconvenience. All but sworn enemies, they’d avoid each other if not for their devotion to the local animal shelter, where Morgan’s animal-loving aunt used to take them as children. If they hope to raise enough funds to save the shelter, the animals in its care, and her aunt’s legacy, Morgan and Hale will need to work together, and that means confronting their painful past. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)


His Unexpected Joy by Elaine M Hunter — When Atlanta attorney Grant Edison returns to his hometown in coastal Georgia, he never expects to see ex-girlfriend Pier Parker. Now a devoted single mom to five-year old Olive, Pier is surprised that she and Grant are paired up to help plan the town’s Labor Day festival. As they spend time together, Grant grows more and more connected to her and her little girl. What began as a reluctant reunion may become the start of something lasting – as long as the secret Pier is keeping doesn’t get in the way… (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

 

Rescuing the Hero by Dawn Kinzer — Sydney Swan’s dream goes up in flames when a devastating fire destroys her art gallery and studio. The fiercely independent artist is determined to rebuild Creative Express without relying on anyone, especially after past heartbreak taught her that accepting help may come at a cost. Firefighter Landon Price, Dogwood Creek’s golden boy, returns carrying the guilt of a tragedy he couldn’t prevent, desperate to prove he’s still worthy of the faith others place in him. With the gentle nudging of a wise and determined matchmaker, Sydney and Landon discover that healing often comes in unexpected ways—and that love may be waiting where they least expect it. But can Sydney find the courage to trust again? And will Landon realize that sometimes even heroes need rescuing? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

Not Precisely Mr Knightley by Carolyn Miller — Emma-Jane (EJ) Bennett and Jordan Knight are longtime best friends who codesigned the immensely successful dating app, Dream Match. Success starts to go to EJ’s head when she gets caught up in the famous and money-hungry social circles and starts dating the son of a TV mogul. But Jordan’s feelings have grown from friendship to more. He determines to protect her by exposing Eric Churchill for the two-timer he is, finally agreeing to attend a function with her at the Sydney Opera House. But his best intentions go awry when EJ is embarrassed and runs for the security of home, small-town roots, and The Silver Teapot Café, feeling like Jane Austen’s chastised Emma—only without her Mr. Knightley. (Contemporary Romance from Barbour Publishing)


Blueprint for Love by Penny Zeller — He’s a grumpy contractor. She’s a bubbly interior designer. Will an unexpected alliance be the blueprint for love? Can a group of geriatric investigators, a series of competitions, and an old building in desperate need of an update be enough to draw these two opposites together? (Contemporary Romance from Maplebrook Publishing)

Contemporary Suspense:

Crossbones by C.C. Warrens –“Sticks and stones will break your bones, if you make me hurt you.” Some truths are better left buried, but Jace Walker is determined to unearth the skeletons in her family’s closet. Leverage is all she needs to keep her brother alive, and she’s willing to risk everything to save him. Even her life. But is she willing to risk the lives of her friends? Holly and Jordan take on the case, but what should be a simple investigation takes a deadly turn when they stumble onto a murder. Family secrets are the least of their concerns as their path intertwines with a killer intent on remaining hidden. He doesn’t want to be found. He doesn’t want to be known. And anyone who threatens his anonymity dies. (Contemporary Suspense, Independently Published)

General Contemporary and Contemporary Women’s Fiction:

Hidden Seeds by Jessica Brodie — When tragedy sends Natalie home, she finds betrayal, healing—and a new friend, whose shadowy past may be the only thing standing between her sister and a darkness neither woman was meant to face. (General Contemporary from Valor Publishing Group)


Off the Beaten Path by Sara Davison, Stacy Monson, Eleanor Bertin, Deb Elkink, and Johnnie Alexander — If only the journey of life came with a compass . . . As the people in these stories struggle to find their way, they must navigate wedding plans overshadowed by family drama, witty banter culminating in a motorcycle ride through the mountains, a job loss that opens the door to a sweet future, language barriers complicating an emergency delivery, and a small-town festival tainted by betrayal. Off the Beaten Path is a collection of five short stories that sweep the reader off on tales of adventures. (Contemporary Women’s Fiction, Independently Published)

Home No Matter Where by Nancy Naigle — Nina is at her wit’s end with her teenage daughter, Kendra. Still dealing with her own wounds of divorce, Nina hopes a change of scenery will help. She and Kendra head to the serene coastal town of Whelk’s Island to spend a restorative summer with Nina’s mother, Rosemary—bringing three generations under one roof for the first time in years. Amid the island’s charm, old wounds begin to heal, and as new friendships bloom—especially with the steady and enigmatic Fisher—light begins to break through the cracks of Nina’s tightly controlled life. Kendra’s reckless behavior continues but Fisher’s intervention during a critical moment for Kendra sparks a sense of hope in Nina that she thought was lost. Still, change is never easy. As the women navigate the tides of forgiveness, growing up, and letting go, healing begins and new love brings surprises. While Whelk’s Island may not hold all the answers, it has a way of reminding people that moving forward doesn’t follow a set path—it requires the bravery to start anew. (Contemporary Women’s Fiction from Waterbrook/Multnomah [Penguin Random House])

Something I Haven’t Told You by Pearl Ada Pridham — Alison, now a happy mother of two, recalls her teen years when a mistake of love led to unfathomable distress. Faced with pregnancy at the age of fourteen, she deals with shame, her father’s rage, choices, and decisions that jerk her into adulthood. But, leaning into her faith, with her sister as her biggest supporter, along with her mother, friends, a counselor, and a school program for pregnant teens, she finds what is truly important in life to her and succeeds in fulfilling her dreams. (Contemporary Women’s Fiction, Independently Published)

General Historical:

A Chance for Kallie Mae by Ann H Gabhart — Kallie Mae Bertram has harbored two dreams since childhood: to learn to read and to one day marry Quinn Spencer. But her first dream slipped away after her little sister died of a fever and her mother passed in childbirth. Kallie promised to care for the baby and her younger brother, which meant putting aside her own desires in order to keep her family together. But then a Moonlight School for adults offers Kallie hope of finally fulfilling that goal. After Kallie’s father forbids her from seeing Quinn, her second dream seems impossible. That is, until her frantic search for her missing sister leads to an unexpected encounter with Quinn in the woods–their first meeting in six years. The love they shared as children burns stronger than ever, awakening hopes Kallie thought were forever buried. But with their families locked in a bitter feud, following her heart could cost Kallie everything she’s worked to protect. (General Historical from Revell)


The Design of Providence by Shannon McNear, Jayna Baas, Avellina Balestri, John M Cunninham Jr, Lynn Dean, Ted Lamb, Patience O’Brien, Nathan Stone, Richard Tucker, and Lynne Tagawa — Before there was a United States, there was a dream forged in the crucible of revolution—and a steadfast belief that a divine hand was shaping the nation’s destiny. From the bloody snow of the Boston Massacre to the treacherous battlefields of the South, the path to liberty was fraught with peril, heartbreak, and impossible choices. Intertwining fact and fiction, each story masterfully explores the personal cost of allegiance, the agony of families divided by war, and the quiet, persistent thread of faith that wove through it all. (General Historical from Blue Rock Press)

Historical Romance:


A Whole New Plan by Denise M. Colby — California, 1870. Pastor William Baker built his life on steady faith and safe choices, but the arrival of Lydia Spencer upends everything. Independent, outspoken, and hiding a limp from a recent injury, Lydia is unlike any woman he’s ever known. And she has no interest in church—or in sharing her secrets. What Will doesn’t realize is that Lydia is a Pinkerton detective, undercover as a schoolteacher while tracking a dangerous crime boss. She’s determined to protect her friends in Washton… even if it means keeping her distance from the kind, steadfast pastor who sees too much. When strange thefts strike the ranch and a frightened boy appears with ties to their past, Will and Lydia are thrown together in a search for truth—and find themselves fighting not only for justice, but for a future neither had planned. (Historical Romance from Scrivenings Press)


The Schoolmarm and the Miner by Denise Farnsworth — Adelaide Duncan’s dream of teaching is within reach until her father’s drinking and gambling force her to start over. Taking a position in the rough-and-tumble gold rush town of Dahlonega, she’s determined to prove herself. But unruly students, strict rules against teachers courting, and her growing feelings for a certain widowed father threaten the independence she’s fought so hard to claim. Wade Coulter walked away from the law after he lost his wife and unborn son. Raising his daughter alone is safer than letting anyone else in. But Lotty’s beautiful new teacher makes him question everything. Just as he begins to trust again, a dangerous man from Wade’s past threatens both the women he loves. A gold strike on Wade’s property promises security…but also revives old dangers. Scarred by her father’s choices, Addie fears any man who might put selfish desires before love. As deadly threats close in and the past refuses to stay buried, Wade must prove he’s changed or risk losing his chance at happiness forever. (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)


Dutch Dawn by Linda Shenton Matchett — Isak Westgard is only six missions short to be rotated stateside. Then the unthinkable happens, and he crashes in the occupied Netherlands where the chances of him making it back to England are slim to none. A beautiful and tough-as-nails resistance courier begs to differ and claims she hasn’t lost anyone yet. The problem is the longer they’re together, the less he wants to escape. Annaliese Claasen has escorted her fair share of refugees and downed Allied pilots to safety – too numerous to remember. Until now. There’s something different about the Norwegian-American lieutenant, and it’s more than his good looks. Can she get him out of the country before losing her heart? (Historical Romance from Shortwave Press)

Daughter of the Rebellion by Jamie Ogle — Rome, AD 403. As a loyal daughter of the Visigoth tribe, Adelgard followed her father to war, hoping to win back her family’s approval. But after a clash with the Roman army, Adel is captured and sold to a gladiator school. Now she is the most famous gladiatrix in Rome, determined to keep the fickle love of the crowd and never again rely on anyone but herself for her own security. But beneath the fame lies a darkness and pain that holds her captive. Felix despises Rome’s fascination with violence. But after returning from medical training to discover his father missing and his family desperate, he had little choice but to accept a position at the gladiator school managed by his uncle. He finds a kindred spirit in Adel and does what he can to preserve the humanity of the rebel fighters, but when he receives orders that further compromise his beliefs, he arrives at a crossroads. Then Telemachus, a Christian leader, approaches Felix with an urgent message: if the Visigoth captives are not released, their army will invade Rome. Despite the risk, the emperor is bent on proving his power through a stunning, deadly day of gladiatorial games. As Telemachus seeks to save the Visigoth fighters, Felix and Adel join forces in a desperate rebellion that may define not only their own lives but also the course of history. (Historical Romance from Tyndale House)


Della’s Song by Donna Jo Stone — North Louisiana 1934 – In the wake of a devastating train accident, Della Swan’s world is shattered. Her father and brother are forever changed, and the Swan Family Gospel Singers have no choice but to depend on the charity of formidable Aunt Leticia, proprietor of the Hotel Fairwood. Of Della’s six brothers, only two remain with her at the hotel: Quiet Max, the youngest, and Frank, the pianist who lost his arm—and his heart for music. The rest are sent away to school or work. Aunt Leticia believes the children must learn to make their way in the world, effectively banishing them. During Father’s recovery, the repercussions of his head injury make one thing clear. Life as the Swans knew it, traveling the south and sharing gospel music, may never return. Yet Della clings to the belief that God isn’t finished with her family or their calling and sets a plan in motion to bring them together again. When she develops an unexpected bond with Clayton Miller, the hotel’s reserved, long-time employee, his steady presence reminds her there is often more to people—and situations—than meets the eye. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)

Romantic Suspense:

Silent Menace by Angela Carlisle — After the exposure of her deceased husband’s criminal activity, CPA Hailey Nieland struggles to move on with life as a single mother raising a hearing-impaired toddler in a hostile small town. When she gains a major client, she hopes the extra income will be just what they need . . . until she begins finding anomalies in the accounts. No one should trust their life to a bodyguard who can’t protect himself, much less his client. At least, that’s what Peter Lewis believes after his failed mission. But leaving his former career behind is much harder than he expected–especially when someone begins targeting an accountant who works in the office building he’s now responsible for. As threats against her escalate, Peter and Hailey must work together to overcome their fears and expose a complex cover-up before she becomes the next victim.  (Romantic Suspense from Bethany House [Baker])


Vinny by MaryAnn Diorio — Vinny Morello is on track for a promising career in the fine arts. But when tragedy suddenly hurls him headlong into a life-altering crisis, he faces a frightening fork in the road. Which one will he take? The road that leads to life or the road that leads to death? (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published)

The Escape Game by Gina Holder — Twenty years ago, the world’s leading enigmatologist disappeared, leaving behind a cipher no one could solve… not without his journal. Puzzle shop owner Demi Kayne has spent twenty years hoping her father would return home. When she discovers his hidden journal tucked inside the walls of her family home, she finally uncovers the clue she’s been waiting for—but it leads somewhere far more dangerous than she imagined. Liam Shepherd, a missionary and escape-room enthusiast, is searching for answers of his own. His sister has vanished without a trace, and the trail of clues leads him straight to Demi—and the secrets hidden in her father’s journal. Their search brings them to the eerie Ives Mansion, where its brilliant and reclusive owner has designed a deadly challenge. Once inside, Demi and Liam realize they’re no longer guests. They’re players. Trapped inside a twisted real-life mystery game based on a stolen puzzle design, they must solve a series of lethal riddles before time runs out. (Romantic Suspense from Scrivenings Press)

Survival in the Mountains by Carrie Stuart Parks — Rescuing a woman from a burning car crash near his mountain cabin immerses undercover Fish and Game officer Joshua McGregor in a dangerous plot. But all Bethany can remember is being deliberately run off the road. Soon killers are hunting both of them through the unforgiving Idaho wilderness, and the discovery that Bethany’s identity has been erased has them grasping for answers. Now they must avoid treacherous traps and unexpected enemies…while trying to trust each other. But when the truth about Bethany’s past proves even more dangerous than they imagined, can she and Joshua protect innocent lives—and save their own? (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])


Alaskan Abduction Target by Megan Short — When Phoebe Tait suspects her husband’s death was no accident, she heads to Alaska searching for answers—only for her young son to narrowly escape a kidnapping. Officer Jock O’Halloran intervenes just in time, but it soon becomes clear that Phoebe’s investigation has made them a target. Now, with danger closing in, Jock must protect Phoebe and her son while they race to uncover a deadly truth. But can he keep them safe from a threat that will stop at nothing to bury the past—no matter the cost?(Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired Suspense [Harlequin])

Scent of Peril by Darlene L Turner — Dispatched with her K-9 partner, Shadow, to locate an abducted boy, Constable Taylor Grant finds herself ambushed in the wilderness along with Wyatt Hoyt, the child’s father. As Taylor and Wyatt relentlessly pursue the kidnappers and follow the little boy’s cryptic clues through treacherous terrain, they face persistent attacks and lethal traps. Each step closer to rescuing young Levi uncovers a deadly conspiracy tied to Wyatt’s past and a weapons-smuggling ring. With time running out, can they outwit a ruthless mastermind to save Levi before it’s too late? (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Speculative/Time Travel:

Mending Time by Pamela G. Baker — Jen believes she’s finally in control when she rips the remote from Lydia’s hand, steals the time machine, and is thrust from 1873 into 2020. But her confidence shatters when the machine vanishes. Alone, with no ID or money, and conspicuous in a Victorian-era gown, she pursues the one person who might be able to help—the time machine’s inventor. Instead, she meets Jamal, who has briefly experienced time travel and believes her story. When he offers help, she’s suspicious of his motives but desperate enough to accept his assistance. Can Jen build a time machine that will return to the time before she and her boyfriend accidentally erased her family and enabled Lydia’s birth?
Jen changed time once. She can do it again. But should she? (Romantic Suspense from Winged Publications)

Plus check out these recent additions to Fiction Finder published within the past month:

Stronger Than Shifting Sands by Barbara Blythe — A new job. A promotion denied. And a hurricane threatening the tracks and their attraction. (Historical Romance)

The Sugarplum Inn by Jenna Hendricks — Because sometimes, the greatest Christmas gift is a second chance at love. (Contemporary Romance)

Keeper of My Heart by Heidi Gray McGill — What happens when the very traits that kept you alive are the ones God asks you to lay down? (Historical Romance)

Weighing a Miracle by Steven A Nimocks — What do you do when the world you trusted no longer adds up? (General Historical)

Perplexity by Chawna Schroeder — As old rivalries escalate and hidden threats emerge, both Xander and Yosi must choose their paths wisely, before evil eliminates everyone in its way. (Speculative Fiction/Fantasy)

Awakening the Light by Natasha Woodcraft — Will Shay embrace the light, or lose everyone he loves to the shadows? (Speculative Fiction/Fantasy)

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Review: Between the Sound and the Sea, by Amanda Cox

Between the Sound and the Sea, by Amanda Cox (Revell, 2024)

Ostracized by their small town, her parents have sold the family home and moved south. Her father and brother haven’t spoken in years. And social pressure is about to kill her event planning business.

Josephine (Joey) needs distance—and maybe perspective. When she applies for a contract to restore an old lighthouse on North Carolina’s Outer Banks, it’s another battle for acceptance—a woman project manager in this island town? Working on a lighthouse the locals claim is haunted?

Walt, the property owner, is an 80-plus-year-old man compelled to right a past wrong. His adult grandson, Finn, is afraid the old man is unstable. Joey soon learns restoring their relationship comes with the building project. And where will she find her own purpose now? Is this a temporary break from Tennessee, or is it truly time to start over?

This is my second Amanda Cox book (first was The Bitter End Birding Society), and I love her occasionally-lyrical prose and setting descriptions. These characters engaged my imagination, and I enjoyed watching the various relationships shift and grow. And what’s not to love about a crumbling lighthouse stocked with secrets?

Between the Sound and the Sea is a 2025 Christy Award Winner. As the title implies, this is a novel of betweens. The “sound” is a body of water separated from the sea by a narrow, grassy sand dune, trying to hold its place. Joey, Finn, and Walt are much the same in the beginning.

It’s also a novel of second chances and gentle romance. The story’s set in 2007, but history buffs will appreciate the references to the early 1940s.

Amanda Cox’s website tagline describes her fiction as “stories of hope, healing, and home.” For more about the author and her work, or to get a free short story prequel to her first novel, visit amandacoxwrites.com. The website also offers free discussion guides for her books, and if you go to amandacoxwrites.com/books-2/between-the-sound-and-sea you can read an excerpt and find resources to enrich your understanding of the Outer Banks, its history and its lighthouses.

[Review copy from the public library.]

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Encouraging One Another (Guest Post)

Image by Tumisu from Pixabay

Encouraging One Another

by Steph Beth Nickel

Most of us equate encouragement with positivity. But there is another side to true encouragement. Sometimes we need correction. At other times, we are the ones offering the correction. How can we do so in a way that encourages rather than disheartens the other person?

I’ve received this type of encouragement, have sought to give it, and have witnessed it as a third party as well.

Below are some pointers to keep in mind.

Correcting with Compassion

Recently I witnessed this form of correction in a way that brought tears to my eyes. The recipient of the needed correction humbly accepted it. In fact, they sought it. And the encouragement? Onlookers were instructed on how not to make the situation worse and how to offer compassion in the midst of everything. Personally, I’ve never seen this type of thing handled with such grace.

And while critiquing and editing my clients’ work cannot really be compared to how this situation was handled, there are applicable lessons for editors and writers alike.

So, whether you’re a professional editor, a critique partner, or a writer seeking input on your work, here are three things to keep in mind:

  1. First, point out what the client or writer has done well. Do so sincerely and honestly. And if you’re looking for others to review your writing, find those who will point out the specifics of your work that not only need strengthening but also those that make them want to keep reading.
  2. As writers, we do have to develop a thick skin of sorts. We must recognize that editors, critique partners, and our general readership won’t always see things as we do. Sometimes, they will offer edits and critiques that we find discouraging. We may become defensive or discouraged. When these corrections are offered with compassion, we may find it easier to revise our work. When the advice seems harsh, it is our responsibility to humbly accept the correction even so. (Thus, the need for a thick skin.)
  3. Remember that some perceived weaknesses in another’s writing are subjective. When pointing out these things, we may want to phrase it more gently than when pointing out specifics that are actually mistakes (i.e., when a character’s physical traits change inexplicably or when the writer uses the incorrect homophone, etc.). Sometimes, I begin such a comment with “I would suggest…” And if we’re the writer, we must recognize that some comments are subjective—even if not worded as such. Humbly accepting correction is good but knowing when to stand our ground is also important.

Questions to Consider

Have you received correction that was offered with genuine compassion?

Does this type of correction encourage you to shore up the weaknesses in your writing? And if you haven’t received this type of correction, do you think it would make the revision process less discouraging?

How do you offer this kind of encouragement to others?

Are there ways you feel challenged to offer correction with more compassion?


Photo credit: Jaime Mellor Photography

As an editor, Steph Beth Nickel has the honour of coming alongside writers to help them polish their work. As the coauthor of Paralympian Deb Willows’s memoirs, Steph has been blessed to work with this amazing woman. And as a future self-published author, with the Lord’s help, Steph has taken brave steps toward publication.

If you would like more information about her services, you can contact her at stephbethnickelediting@gmail.com.

You’re invited to visit her website: http://stephbethnickeleditor.com/.

You can join her Editing Tips Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/418423519384351.