Fiction Friday: New Releases for January

January 2025 New ReleasesMore in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website

Children/Middle-grade:

Feather by Susan Page Davis -- Feather is snatched by a fierce tribe and forced to work for them. Her younger brother, Karsh, vows to find her. When Feather learns the arrows she makes will be used against her own people, she and her friend Tag decide to escape and warn the peaceful tribe of the coming attack. (Children/Middle-grade, Tea Tin Press)

Cozy Mystery:

The Edge of Knife by Marissa Shrock -- The summer of ’88 in Wildcat Springs, Indiana, was supposed to be thoroughly boring. But when Bobbi Sue Baxter’s friend enters her into a sweepstakes (without her knowledge) to make a guest appearance on daytime drama, The Cute and the Cunning, and she wins, the season starts to get complicated. Then, her friendship with Hemingway “Hemi” Miller evolves into something more, and things slide toward complex. After filming, when the star of The Cute and the Cunning gets stabbed with a hunting knife? Life gets downright insane. Bobbi Sue tries to stay out of the chaos, but with her well-proven instincts for cracking hard-to-solve crimes, that’s highly unlikely. (Cozy Mystery, Independently Published)

Biblical Historical:

Before the King by Heather Kaufman -- Joanna is a daughter of the Sadducees, born into privilege and taught to maintain her position at all costs—even if it means breaking her own heart. When she encounters Jesus, his message of the Kingdom compels her to embrace a new way of life. Dare Joanna risk everything for the sake of the Christ? (Historical Biblical from Bethany House [Baker Publishing Group])

General Historical:

Finding Juniper by Cindy Thomson -- Leaving his pregnant girlfriend behind, Patrick Doyle sails to America, the land of opportunity. Thirty years later, Patrick has moved on with his life, building a new family. A letter arrives, suggesting the child he’d assumed died may be alive. Juniper endured a childhood in institutions, and when she’s released, she moves on without the parents who left her. Operating an apothecary out of an inherited cottage, Juniper finally finds a home when her grandmother arrives. Just as she feels comfortable and content, her father shows up at her door, bringing shocking news about her mother. (General Historical, Independently Published)

Historical Romance:

Guarding the Mountain Man’s Secret by Misty M Beller -- The Coulter ranch is a place of family, second chances…and a hidden fortune. Miles is the youngest of six brothers, and he’s spent most of his life helping guard the family’s secret: a sapphire mine hidden deep within the Montana mountains. With threats from a past enemy looming, a survey team’s arrival stirs suspicion—until he meets Clara Pendleton, whose presence captivates him. Clara Pendleton joins her uncle on a survey team tasked with mapping the coming railroad's path, only to find herself entangled with the enigmatic Coulter family. When her uncle’s accident leads them to find refuge in the Coulter home, Clara is irresistibly drawn to Miles Coulter and his quiet strength. This feels like the haven she craves…until a series of mysterious attacks endanger everyone on the ranch. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)

Emma’s Engagement by Susan G Mathis -- Emma Row yearns for a fresh start and a chance to build a loving family. But as she steps into her role as the Rock Island Lightkeeper’s wife, she finds herself navigating the treacherous waters of isolation and the bitter rejection of her new stepdaughter, Ada. Michael Diepolder, the widowed lightkeeper, had hoped securing a companion would brighten his life and be a needed mother figure to his eleven-year-old daughter. Yet, as Emma struggles to adapt to the challenges of her new life, Michael realizes that the path to happiness is far more turbulent than he ever anticipated. (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)

Amish Romance:

With All Her Heart by Kelly Irvin -- Bonnie is successful in her crafts shop but fears no man will see past her disability to her strong and loving heart. Elijah dreams of leaving the family business to focus on his carvings. Can they find a new path together? (Amish Romance from HarperCollins Christian Publishing)

Romantic Novella:

His to Love by Z Peabody -- Griffin T. Washington is one of only two detectives at the cody Police Department. After years of being retired from active duty, and with a fulfilling job, Griff is still alone. The loss of his wife ten years ago nearly broke Griff. While coming from a call, Griff’s life is turned upside down by a careless driver, and before he can get her insurance information, she speeds off, leaving Griff not just questioning who she is but also when he can see her again. (Romantic Novella from Z Peabody Publishing LLC)

Romantic Suspense:

Forgotten Identity by Penny Zeller -- Mariah Holzman never imagined a whiteout blizzard would sever all communication from the outside world—communication desperately needed for the injured man Mariah finds near her home. Nor did she imagine helping nurse the man back to health would lead to threats and intimidation. As danger escalates and questions rise, Mariah is left to wonder what kind of person she has allowed into her home. (Romantic Suspense from Maplebrook Publishing)

Young Adult:

Sarah’s Long Ride by Susan Page Davis -- The Bandicoot 100 is coming up, and Sarah Piper and her horse Icicle are registered for the endurance race. But now that her mother has died, Sarah has no riding partner. Adjusting to a new home with Uncle Joe and far from her friends, Sarah realizes that endurance is something she needs not only for the race. (Young Adult from Tea Tin Press)

Speculative Fiction/Allegory:

Last Light of Everlasting by Demi Griffin -- Everlasting is a world of peace and tranquility. At least it was before one of the King's loyal servants rebelled. The ensuing battle between those who were loyal and those who rebelled required a strength even the warriors of the spirit realm did not have. Assistance came through the histories. The Ancients, flesh beings who sacrificed their own existence, became the one weapon that could defeat darkness - a luminaria. Will those who lost access to the perfect world created by the King find their way back out of the darkness? (Speculative Fiction/Allegory, Independently Published)

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

3 X 3 by Patrick E Craig -- One by one, Jenny uncovers secrets hidden for forty years, secrets deeply connected to the Amish community. And as she brings them to light, Jenny finds the past can reveal much about the present—in terrifying ways (Crime Suspense)

Bronze Circle by Becky A. Little -- Jaydon's story is one of hope, acceptance, redemption and forgiveness as he discovers who he is before The Truth Master. (Speculative/Young Adult)

Heart of Faith by Tracey J Lyons -- Two boys are left behind from the Orphan Train. When John Oliver decides to help Amy save two orphan boys from danger, will they become the family she has been praying for in time for Amy to get her Christmas wish? (Historical Romance)

Loving the Rodeo Queen by Rebecca Reed -- Quinn and Tiago have a past, but can they have a future with her secret shadowing their relationship. (Contemporary Romance)

Death Under the Ice by Deborah Jean Sprinkle -- Claire needs their help, but can she put past hurts behind her as she not only tries to find her brother, but stay alive? (Romantic Suspense)

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Back, Matthew Elliott

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Back, Matthew Elliott

I'm thrilled to have Matthew Elliott visiting again. He writes biblical fiction that is sure to touch your heart. Grab a cup of your favorite beverage and get to know him.

When did you know you wanted to be an author?

As a child, I received an ADHD diagnosis, and my mother wanted to provide an outlet for my active imagination. With that in mind, she encouraged me to turn my active energy into stories. I started writing stories about superheroes, which helped calm my energy. Even though I somehow forgot most of my childhood, her inspiration has always been there to guide me along the way.

What is your favorite thing about being a writer?

I may have answered this before, but I love the research part of writing the stories I write today. Since I have ADHD, I get hyper-focused on it and forget any concept of time. I am thankful I have a lovely wife who keeps me on track and three beautiful children who need me to be a good father. Otherwise, I might never stop and smell the rain (or roses). Still, I am fascinated by connecting all the dots in history and scripture so that I can use my imagination to create the narratives I write.

How did you learn how to write?

I am also a dyslexic, which has always been a tremendous struggle for me. I’m reading a book series

with my 12-year-old right now and she is a much faster reader than I am because I have to read each page three times before I can retain the information. With writing a story, I follow that same path; The story gets written three times before I even run it through my editing software. Learning to write as a child was no easy feat. In fact, I remember having to sit with a box around my desk to keep me focused, but I attribute my growth in that manner to well-trained and patient teachers who prayed I would find myself someday.

Do you hear from your readers? What do they say?

As with many other writers, I would love to hear from my readers and engage with them about my stories more often. There is not much of a place for that in the world because it’s so fast-paced. However, I encourage my readers to reach out to me regarding anything and often leave specific prompts in my emails for my readers that encourage their responses. When they do, I always love getting to know them a little better. I must admit, though, I’m old-fashioned when it comes to connecting with my readers. My emails are always personable and relational.

What does your writing space look like?

My writing space is very much a chaotic mess that only I understand. I use a stand-up desk most of the time and walls filled with posted notes that map out my stories, so I can visually connect with the landscape I am attempting to build. When I’m done with a book, all those posted notes go onto those presentation boards one might use at a school science fair. I also have a research desk with no less than eight different Bibles and three or four resource books. So… If I ever make a million dollars, I probably won’t be giving tours of my workspace. 😉

Can you share a real-life event that inspired your writing?

This is actually a very personal question for me because I use real-life examples from my past and present to give me more of a grasp on the emotions I am attempting to convey in my stories. I struggle to speak what’s in my heart. So my experiences, and often a good song, offer me something real and hopefully authentic to bring to life through one of my characters. My whole life, good and bad, inspires what I write and how I live out my faith.

What was your inspiration for the story?

The story I am highlighting in this post is called The Ephesus Pages: A Journey Begins, and it is ‘Part One’ of three that will connect to three other stories. One of which I have already written. One more is in progress, and then I will begin writing the last one later this year. The serial nature of the story—episodes instead of chapters—allows me to break it into seasons. The inspiration for this particular story was really the idea that I wanted to dive into the character of Paul. I wanted to know what happened throughout the three years he spent in Ephesus during the third misery journey, and how Paul may have changed through that experience. So, once I’ve written and released everything, I hope to have realistically captured both.

If you were to write a spin-off book about one of your secondary characters, which one would you choose and why?

I have written three stories so far in The World of Kedoshim, which you can read more about on my blog, and am pretty close to getting a first draft of my next one, The Hope of Inheritance. There is one character that I did not expect would have such a pivotal role in my stories when I first dreamed this world up, and that is Luke. Honestly, I never really gave him a second thought. Through all that I have done so far, and plan to do, I have developed a deep connection with the character. Luke is someone I would love to write a story specifically about. Who knows, maybe one day I will. 😉

What is your advice to fledgling writers?

I always love answering this question, because, for a time, I gave up on my dream of being a writer. I lost my drive for it and gave in to the pressures that come with being a writer. God had to do real work in my heart to get me back to where I am today. I will never claim that I have all the answers. In truth, my stories are still unfamiliar to the Biblical Fiction World, but I have learned to embrace the noise, so to speak. Regardless of whether I sell two copies of my stories or two hundred, I am doing what I believe I do. Please do not do what I did if you have a dream to write, pursue it, live it, and embrace it. Even if the only people who read your stories are the boss who felt sorry for you or the friend who just could not say no. God has given you something to write, so do it, and reach out if you want a little guidance.

_________________

The World of Kedoshim, The Ephesus Pages: A Journey Begins. ON SALE THROUGH 01/10/25: https://amzn.to/3ZS7s4l


One Man. His Continued Journey. Working to Build the Early Church.

Part I: A Journey Begins

John Mark carries the weight of his past on his shoulders, and there is one person he has never reconciled with. In an epic story surrounding the city of Ephesus, and the ministry of Paul during his three-year ministry there, life as we know it will change. Join John Mark as he embarks on a new journey seeking reconciliation. As he leaves all that he knows behind on the shores of Cyprus, John Mark will begin a new three-part journey that will test his faith, build him up, and reveal much about his past.

Amid his continuing journey, John Mark will encounter many unexpected circumstances. Who will he meet along the way and what lessons will he learn? Will this journey help him find the forgiveness he seeks? What about Paul in Ephesus? Who will he come across in his ministry there and what responsibilities will those serving alongside him have in the constantly changing work? Only time will tell. Are you ready to experience the next story in The World of Kedoshim?

Part II: Mysteries in Ephesus coming Winter 2025

Connect with Matthew:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WritingtheJourney
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/mj.elliott
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/mjelliott
Website: https://www.mjelliott-author.com