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
Lilly’s Promise by Terrie Todd won the Contemporary category of the 2023 Word Awards from Word Writers Guild.
Thanksgiving in Welcombe Bay by Kate Darroch won a Pencraft Winter 2024 award
Iola Goulton won the Agent’s Choice in the 2023 Great Beginnings contest from Romance Writers of New Zealand, and was a finalist in the Editor’s Choice.
Iola Goulton is a finalist in the 2023 Australian Romance Readers Awards in the Debut author category.
New Contracts
Terrie Todd signed a two-book contract with Mountain Brook Ink. “Even If We Cry” releases this fall and “Even If I Perish” releases in fall of 2025.
New Manuscripts
Megan Short has submitted a manuscript to an editor, “Accident in Alaska” (working title).
Megan has finished another manuscript, “Protecting the Alaskan Witness” (working title).
New Releases
Terrie Todd has recently fulfilled a contract with Guideposts Books for 15 sidebars to be used in their “God’s Constant Presence” series.
Buried Grave Secrets by Darlene L Turner
Released 1 December
Standing guard…with threats on all sides.
When bones are found at an unmarked grave site — and then shots are fired — forensic anthropologist Jordyn Miller knows someone wants old secrets to remain buried. She’ll do anything to uncover the truth about these suspicious deaths, including accepting the protection of her ex-boyfriend, Constable Colt Peters, and his K-9. But with targets on their backs, can Jordyn stay alive long enough to bring a serial killer to justice?
Broken Spirit by Sheridan Lee
Released 5 December
The dream of motherhood eludes her. Can she find her way back to hope?
Belinda Briggs is familiar with heartache and life’s heavy burdens. Multiple miscarriages, unfulfilled expectations, and family challenges have strained her marriage. After an epiphany, Belinda rekindles the flame with her husband, renewing her future hopes.
When catastrophe strikes, Belinda faces relentless trials demanding more than she’s willing to give. Angry and overwhelmed, her faith crumbles along with the rest of her life. Will she piece together her fragmented identity and find the elusive peace she craves while rejecting the love of a once-cherished Saviour?
Broken Spirit conveys a harrowing tale of family, faith, and the depths one woman must dig to survive. In the last instalment of The Tellarine Series, hope and forgiveness remain central in the enthralling world of Tellarine.
Lumen by JJ Fischer
Released 5 December
What if erasing the past cost more than you were willing to pay?
Having narrowly escaped their enemies, Sephone, Dorian, and Cass continue their search for the elusive Silvertongue, the only one with knowledge of the Reliquary’s whereabouts. But time is running out for Sephone, and with Dorian accused of high treason, the quest takes on a new urgency.
As secrets from each of their pasts drive a wedge between them, Sephone invests all her hopes in finding her homeland, Lethe—where her family may yet be alive. But nothing about Lethe is as she expects, and disappointment, betrayal, and danger await her at every turn.
When the truth about the Reliquary’s curse comes to light, the fragile bonds between the unlikely companions are tested like never before. Meanwhile, Dorian faces a terrible choice: to save the life of one who is beginning to mean more to him than the past he’s so desperate to forget, or to save his beloved Caldera from dangers outside and within.
Deadly Burden (Green Door Inn #4) by Janet Sketchley
Released 6 December
Obey the police and stay safe, or follow her heart and help unmask a killer?
Landon Smith solved the last murder by accident—and nearly became the next victim. When a shocking death strikes her close-knit circle, can this amateur sleuth discover who wanted the town busybody dead?
The dead woman knew too much about too many people. Was she silenced to protect a secret? Or because of one she wouldn’t tell? And how can a dyslexic trauma survivor find clues the professionals miss?
Landon can’t afford to be sidetracked by a vindictive guest at the inn or by unexpected family drama. Or by falling for the geeky writer next door—now that he’s over her. With a storm closing in and no leads in sight, Landon’s first Christmas at the Green Dory Inn is shaping up to be anything but merry and bright.
Christmas in Welcombe Bay by Kate Darroch
Released 21 December
Christian Second Chance for Lasting Love in idyllic Welcombe Bay on the gorgeous Devon coast. Second book in the Sweets By The Sea Recovery & Redemption saga from Kate Darroch, 2022 Incipere award for Best Christian Fiction. Powerful stories of men and women hoping to find togetherness in a caring Christian community.
We follow Eric and Lily after their Thanksgiving feast and join the Christmas festivities preparations of the townsfolk. Bob rents a cottage from Miss Agatha over Christmas.
Nurse Ruth finds her hospital nights filled with more than just routine ward checks. Hector, a children’s entertainer hired for the Christmas season, weaves tales of magic and hope that captivate her and touch her heart. For Ruth, will this be third time lucky in love?
Christmastide in Glasgow by Kate Darroch
Released 24 December 2023
Bringing in the New Year by Kate Darroch
Released 4 January
What a Hogmany! and what a New Year’s Eve party! What’s Lianna hiding behind her back?
Will our girls be able to save the day?
New Beginnings in Welcome Bay by Kate Darroch
Released 5 January
Lily and Eric take a giant step towards Happy Ever After and Irene sets out to unravel a mystery where every thread holds a secret. The Gee quilt has vanished! Dive into the heart of Welcombe, where Eric is buiding a new life and Irene — ably helped by Bob — decodes stitches, confronts the quilt thieves and mends a community tet seems to be coming apart at the seams when the Gee disappears.
Can our friends find lasting love while searching for the quilt?
New Beginings in Welcombe Bay says simply that God Is Love, and with Love, all things are possible.
The Love Penalty by Carolyn Miller
Released 25 January
Sometimes there’s a hefty price to pay when two opposites attract…
With her fondness for tattoos and spider jewelry Sylvie Miles is used to being pre-judged and misunderstood. She has friends and connections but she still feels alone, and works several jobs while daydreaming about finding a guy who sees further than skin deep and won’t shy away from her battered heart. So when a hot pro hockey player with a smile as vast as his skills takes a shine to her what’s a poor girl to do but fall in love?
Ryan Guillemette sure wasn’t looking for romance in a bookstore in his hometown but quickly becomes intrigued by the sassy Goth-like assistant with a snarky way with words. When an accidental kiss proves dangerously addictive she soon becomes embedded in his heart. But even as the romance heats up he’s torn as she’s not following God. Can these two opposites make a match or should he call a permanent time out?
These two are about to learn that those who play with fire get burned, and there’s a hefty price to pay for forbidden attraction.
Preorders
Tanged Up In Love by Carolyn Miller
Releases 26 March 2024
One kiss didn’t mean much. One kiss could mean everything.
When Ellie Reilly returns from a dream overseas trip, a too-long hug from her best friend Jasper Cohen clues her in that his feelings might be more than what she suspected. He’s unsure about pushing their friendship further, and doubly uncertain when her European friend, Sebastian, seeks her out in Trinity Lakes.
Uncertainty is something Ellie knows all too well. Since returning from her vacation, Ellie feels like she doesn’t fit at her family’s ranch or in small town life. When she is asked to take on responsibility for reopening Trinity Lakes’ historical museum – a dream she’s always wanted – she can’t help but wonder if settling for life in the familiar is all that God has for her, or can she dare trust Him for more?
Can these two best friends push past mistakes and insecurities and find a future together?
Luck of the Irish by Kate Darroch
Releases 16 March 2024
Ten Tantalising Cozy Mysteries to enjoy on Saint Patrick’s Day! Sure to make you chuckle, make you go “aawww”, maybe even raise goosebumps,too – or a bump of curiosity! Plus the authors’ favorite Saint Patrick’s Day Recipes.
Cameo for a Cowgirl by Carolyn Miller
Releases 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
Releases 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?
So much happening. Congratulations to everyone! Now I’m off to add some books to my tottering TBR pile. 🙂