Members of the Beyond the Borders zone of American Christian Fiction Writers have been busy writing and publishing over the last few months …
Contest Finalists and Winners
Snow Globe Secrets by Laura Thomas won the 25th Annual Faith, Hope, & Love Christian Writers (FHLCW) Reader’s Choice Award in the 2024 novella category and is a finalist in The Word Awards.
Amid the Ashes by Milla Holt won the Short Contemporary category of the 25th Annual Faith, Hope, & Love Christian Writers (FHLCW) Reader’s Choice Award.
Broken Spirit by Sheridan Lee is a finalist in the 2024 CALEB Awards from Omega Writers.
April’s Promise by Terrie Todd is a finalist in the ACFW Carol Awards, and The Word Awards.
Deadly Burden by Janet Sketchley is also a finalist in The Word Awards.
Kate Mackereth is a semi-finalist in the Contemporary category of the 2024 ACFW Genesis Awards.
Megan Southon is a semi-finalist in the Historical category of the 2024 ACFW Genesis Awards.
Megan and Kate are both traveling to New Orleans next week to attend the annual ACFW conference. What a great opportunity!
Writing News
Terrie Todd’s 2025 release, Even if We Cry, will be available for preorder from 30 September. It releases 5 December.
Terrie has also submitted Even if I Perish, her 2025 release, to her publisher.
Iola Goulton has finished the first draft of her 2024 release, Always In My Heart. Now to revise the manuscript and get a cover …
New Releases
Cameo for a Cowgirl by Carolyn Miller
Released 14 June 2024
Welcome to Three Creek Ranch, home of the James family for over a hundred years, complete with its own Western movie set. Franklin James might be a famous pro hockey player, but just because he’s Cassie’s older brother doesn’t mean she wants to step into the limelight. She’s too busy helping her dad run the ranch and managing the ranch’s movie set, and negotiating with the giant egos of movie stars like Harrison Woods, who’s supposed to be filming the new TV series of As The Heart Draws. And while his TV hero character might be hugely popular, Harrison’s real character is anything but noble. Cassie is convinced he’s hiding something, and she’s determined to make sure it doesn’t reflect badly on Three Creek Ranch. Can she remind him what being a true hero is all about?
Her Part to Play by Jenny Erlingsson
Released 18 June 2024
Desperate for extra income after her mother’s passing, Adanne accepts a last-minute job as a makeup artist for a movie filming in her small Alabama hometown. She’s working to save her parents’ legacy and help her brother, but the money hardly seems worth having to face the actor who got her fired from her last job in Hollywood.
John Pope has made his share of mistakes over the years. But after turning his life over to God and enduring a messy breakup, he’s ready to start rebuilding his career. Imagine his surprise when the woman called in to cover for his usual makeup artist is a quiet but feisty newcomer on the set–and definitely not a fan.
Sparks of tension–and could that be attraction?–fly between them, but Adanne hates the spotlight, and John’s scheming manager has bigger plans for him than to end up with the humble makeup girl from the small-town South. Can these star-crossed lovers find their way to happiness? Or will the bright lights of Hollywood blind their eyes to what’s right in front of them?
To Serve My King by Kate Darroch
Released 30 June 2024
Hunt foils a plot against the British Throne.
Kate Darroch has also completed a novella, Just Another Day at the Office, featuring Huntingdon Hart.
Captured in Frame by Laura Thomas
Released 5 August 2024
In an idyllic village nestled in the English countryside, photographer Georgia Brooks is desperate to begin a new chapter in her life. Bramble Cottage was supposed to give her space to heal and hope again after suffering betrayal and rejection by the only man she ever loved. This was Georgia’s chance to rekindle her faith and reconnect with her sisters in a place that held sweet childhood memories—not expose herself to the ugly underbelly of the art world and put her family in danger.
Local pediatric surgeon, Doctor William Hughes, is captivated by the Canadian beauty with a camera over one shoulder and the weight of the world on the other. After suffering his own tragic loss and balancing a demanding career with raising a toddler, he recognizes the heaviness of grief . . . and the burden of guilt.
When Georgia discovers she could be in possession of incriminating evidence to frame a criminal ring, she needs to trust someone. She chooses Will. Postcards, photographs, paintings—something about Bramble Cottage is worth killing for. Can Georgia uncover the truth in time?
A Sun-Drenched Christmas by Sheridan Lee
Released 6 August 2024
Anna Beaufort yearns for more in life. Her early thirties aren’t going as planned: she’s still single and stuck in a day job which doesn’t harness her talents. When her brother cancels their holiday plans two days before Christmas, Anna’s left to grapple with more disappointment.
Overwhelmed by the prospect of facing the Christmas family gathering alone, she confides in Tennyson Houghton, her warm-hearted younger colleague and the man of her dreams. Much to her surprise, he invites her to join his family in Portsea for Christmas.
Arriving at the Houghtons’ opulent beachside home, Anna feels out of place in their luxurious world. When Tennyson’s family mistakenly believe she is his girlfriend, Anna must navigate the intricate dynamics of fake dating and her burgeoning feelings for Tennyson.
Will their blossoming relationship survive past Christmas, or will her insecurities and career aspirations keep them apart?
The Library by Edwina Kiernan
Releases 1 November 2024
How can someone ‘keep the peace’ when there’s never been any peace to keep?
Hearts Unknown by Dienece Darling
Releases 15 November 2024
When the heart longs for what it cannot have, toes aren’t safe in the ballroom.
Edith Howard has long mourned the loss of Clarence. He was more than the boy next door. He was her dearest friend until he left without word or warning. But when Clarence makes a surprise return the London season of 1763, the gentleman standing before her bears little resemblance to the boy she used to know. What happened to Clarence, and why is he back?
A chance encounter might be just the ticket Clarence needs to convince Edith he always has been and always will be hers. If only she wasn’t listening to those dangerous street preachers. Clarence doesn’t know how to save the lady he loves from believing the world will end on February 28th. Or, for that matter, how to show her all that’s in his heart.
What will it take for Edith to see the man Clarence is today? And dare she let him back into her life when she doesn’t know what drove him away the first time?
This clean, historical romance novelette is written in dual first person with faith content and has a happily-ever-after.
Oh dear, I didn’t even think to give you my blurb, Iola Thank you so much for including it! You’re a treasure! 💖
Congratulations to all the finalists, winners, new releases (I was just looking at the gorgeous cover for Her Part to Play today and wondering about the story!), pre-orders, and manuscripts off to editors/publishers. So much wonderful things accomplished. Well done!