ACFW New Releases October 2025

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

Biblical:

Rescued Heart: The Story of Sarah by Angela Hunt — A master of biblical research, Angela Hunt delivers a series starter that transports readers to the Old Testament world of Sarah and Abraham, making this novel a perfect read for those who love Francine Rivers, Mesu Andrews, Connilyn Cossette, and Jill Eileen Smith. (Biblical/Historical from Bethany House)

Leading Philippi by Jenifer Jennings — In the raging sea of fear, Epaphroditus finds his faith. (Biblical/Historical, Independently Published)

Contemporary Romance:
The Second Story Bookshop by Denise Hunter — She inherits the bookshop of her dreams . . . But she has to run it with the ex she vowed never to speak with again. (Contemporary Romance from HarperCollins Christian Publishing [Thomas Nelson])

Trying to Save Christmas by Dawn Kinzer — A new teacher trying to save Christmas for a grieving student and his guardian brother risks losing her heart to them both. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

A Heart to Protect by Judith McNees — Can two grieving hearts find healing with each other…and God? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

Christmas in Granite Harbor by Candice Sue Patterson — Small-town traditions, a Maine Coon, and a decades-old mystery knit hearts together this Christmas. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

Who Stirs Up the Sea by Deborah Raney — So many secrets between them. But when the truth comes out, will it drive them apart? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

Two Hearts, One Piano by Catherine Richmond — Ten years ago, rock star Alan Wolfe trashed Maren’s life. Now his brother is on her doorstep, asking about the baby. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

Cozy Mystery:

Troubled Truffles by Leslie Lantrip — Ruby Starr breathes a sigh of relief that all is well in the whimsical town of Iris Cove, but while making a routine bakery delivery, she’s shocked to discover a dead body inside the new bookshop. She assures everyone that she will never again be involved in sleuthing, but with clues all around, will her inquisitive mind be able to comply? (Cozy Mystery from Trilogy Christian Publishing)

The Last Scam by Jean Rezab — Courtney’s lifelong dream is finally within her grasp, but when a guest turns up dead during the inn’s very first week, her perfect plans turn into chaos. (Cozy Mystery, Independently Published)

General Contemporary:

Tangled Roots by Jessica Brodie — When newspaper editor Tiff Steadman’s ex-convict brother returns seeking reconciliation, she must choose between protecting the respectable life she’s built and risking everything to embrace the messy grace of family forgiveness. (General Contemporary from Valor Publishing Group)

The Bridge by Shanna Hatfield — The fate of strangers intertwines when a man contemplating suicide commandeers a bridge on Christmas Eve, forcing everyone into an unexpected detour from their holiday plans. (General Contemporary, Independently Published)

Every Life Treasured by Hannah Hood Lucero, Aubrey Reiss Taylor, and Jennifer Q. Hunt – Three Novellas about the value of life. (General Contemporary, Independently Published)

The Song Awakens by Linda Sammaritan — One moment of temptation. Years of separation. How much of the truth does she dare to confess? (General Contemporary/Women’s Fiction from Winged Publications)

General Historical:

To Outwit Them All by Peggy Wirgau — Inspired by a true story, “To Outwit Them All” is told from the perspective of the only woman in George Washington’s Revolutionary group of citizen spies known as the Culper Ring. (General Historical from Iron Stream Media)

Historical Romance:

A Heart To Treasure by Dienece Darling — The vicar’s son and the draper’s daughter have fought against all odds to be together, but with less than a fortnight to their wedding day, a coming storm will shatter everything. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)

A Very English Christmas by Marguerite Gray, Carole Lehr Johnson, and Carrie Turansky — Celebrate the Season with three timeless tales inspired by Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and Beatrix Potter. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)

Love on the Horizon by Penny Zeller — Return to Horizon, Idaho, for Timothy Shepherdson’s story and meet newcomer, Mags, in this tender romance that reminds us that God is the author of new beginnings. (Historical Romance from Maplebrook Publishing)

Military Suspense:

Tick, Tick, Tick … Boom by Felicia Ferguson — With her marriage to clinical psychologist Matt in shambles, Army CID Officer Gabby Carmichael wakes up to a bomb threat. They reluctantly work together to find the bomber, but as pressure mounts, which will explode first? The bomb or their marriage? (Military Suspense from Salt & Light Publishing)

Novella (Romance):

Christmas on the Islands by Annette M. Irby — Washington Island Christmas series novellas all in one place! Visit Puget Sound and the Salish Sea islands in this series of holiday novellas! Enjoy getting to know new characters, with some cameo visits from previous friends. Here you’ll find heart-warming scenes, layered family dynamics, romance, and hope in Jesus. (Romance Novella from Prism Effect Publishing)

A Christmas Inheritance by Myra Johnson, Delia Latham, and Tanya Stowe — Three Christmas stories in one! “His Christmas Refuge:” He came home to leave it all behind. She’s convinced he’ll run again. “A Montana Christmas Promise:” He gave everything to the land. She came only to let it go. “The Prodigal Preacher’s Christmas Homecoming:” A story of redemption, brotherhood, and love reborn under the gentle hand of grace. (Romance Novella, Independently Published)

Romantic Suspense:

Mistletoe and Malice by Lori DeJong — He’s sworn to protect her life … but guarding his heart may be his biggest challenge. (Romantic Suspense from Scrivenings Press)

Fatal Past by Sarah Hamaker — When a pediatrician foils an attempted child abduction, she’s thrust into a dangerous game in which she must rely on the help of her former boyfriend to stay alive. (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published)

Defending You by Robin Patchen — She stumbled onto a deadly secret, and the man she once wronged is the only one who can keep her alive. (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published)

Texas Christmas Cover-Up by Terri Reed — A widowed FBI profiler must turn to her ex, a commanding Police Chief to protect her child and solve a cold case. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Speculative Fiction/Fantasy:
Dust and Ashes by Demi Griffin — Even mistakes and failures were folded into the king’s plan! (Speculative Fiction/Fantasy, Independently Published)

 

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

Unexpected by Kimberly Keagan — The heirs of Denwall Department Stores find unexpected love In the glittering era of the Gilded Age. (Historical Romance)

Where Secrets End by Rebecca Lake — One man’s obsession. One woman’s past. One chance to survive. (Romantic Suspense)

But There Were Signs by Georgia Curtis Ling — When one of their own is found dead, four pastors’ wives–turned amateur sleuths are playing a deadly game of cat and mouse with a suspected killer in Appalachia. (Contemporary Suspense)

The Dreamer by Jenny Marcelene — To the Ends is an international adventure series helping children ages 6-10 cultivate a biblical worldview and spark prayer for the nations. (Children’s/Middle Grade Chapter Book)

Escaping the Wilderness by Carrie Stuart Parks — On the run through the mountains— with only each other to trust. (Romantic Suspense)

The Realm: The Awakening Begins by K Ross — In a world where dreams are more real than not, and harsh realities collide with visions of eternity, only one god can rule. (Supernatural Suspense)

ACFW New Release September 2025

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

Biblical:Survival Secrets by Lana Christian — The Wise Men’s flight from Herod forces them to flee to the Wilderness of Paran to reach Egypt’s safety. But the trek will test their fledgling faith in ways they couldn’t have imagined. How much will they endure to protect their secrets, including what they know of Yeshua? (Biblical/Historical from Scrivenings Press)

Contemporary Romance: Building Hearts by Julie Arduini — Evan Hart has always felt the odd one out in a family of thriving siblings. When his reality show pitch is greenlit and he’s named co-producer, Evan sees a chance to finally belong within his family and the world watching them. Building with the Harts promises new beginnings and second chances until the network adds a wildcard: Shea Madden, a brooding co-producer with secrets of her own. (Contemporary Romance from Surrendered Scribe Media)

Old Town Symphony by Milla Holt — Kezia Blair believes true talent shouldn’t need shortcuts. But after years of singing backup and recording anonymous jingles, her shot at a real music career is slipping away. When a last-ditch audition lands her on Starbound, TV’s biggest reality show, Kezia faces a painful choice: chase stardom on someone else’s terms—or walk away for good. Zach Falconer created Starbound to launch fresh talent—not get tangled up with it. Burned by a fame-hungry ex, he’s determined to protect his show from scandal and his heart from pain. In an industry where image is everything, can they hold onto what matters most… or will success cost them the truth—and each other? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

Restoring Love by Dawn Kinzer — A woman trying to revitalize a struggling candle shop and an apprentice learning to restore priceless instruments learn that sometimes it takes more than hard work and determination to fix matters of the heart. (Contemporary Romance Novella, Independently Published)

Heart and Soul by Nancy Lavo — Big city pastor makes an unwanted trip to small town Texas for a lesson in humility and finds an unexpected chance for love. (Contemporary Romance from Iron Stream Media)

An Irish Kiss by Carolyn Miller — Aurora Fairall—Rory to her friends—loves her jobs working at the village bookshop and the family castle-turned-boutique hotel, even if she sometimes wonders if this is all God has for her life. She knows she has much to be grateful for, but she wonders if the special Fairall legacy that sees its members struck by Cupid’s arrow has passed her by. Until she meets Aidan Quinn—not the actor, but an Australian guest on a genealogical mission to discover his ancestry—and sparks fly. Aidan never thought his visit to Ireland’s west coast would result in meeting a redheaded firecracker with a bewitching smile and pixie-like laughter. But obviously God knew better. And his quest to find his kin brings him into the warm embrace of this loud and loving family has helped heal his heart and gives hope that his future might be different to what he’d imagined. Until a secret from the past threatens everything he holds dear… (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

Their Texas Christmas Redemption by Mindy Obenhaus — Back home at her family’s Texas ranch for the holidays, the last thing Audrey Caldwell expects to see is her ex-husband, Tyler, on her doorstep—with his orphaned niece. The sweet baby in his arms brings up painful memories that she’d rather forget, but when little Willow gets sick, Audrey can’t turn them away. She offers to care for the baby if Tyler agrees to do some construction projects on the ranch. As they work together on a community Christmas event, neither can deny their growing connection. Can they heal their deepest wounds and find their way back to the family they always wanted? (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Framed with Love by Rebecca Reed — Photographing people gives Olivia Perez the jitters, but she’s determined to prove her friends’ loyalty isn’t unfounded. This secret celebrity wedding is do or die for their business. When her videographer quits, Olivia needs a replacement––fast. The diving instructor is the last person she expects will fit the bill. If only she’d curbed her tongue at their first meeting. Stirling “Mac” MacAllister isn’t ready to come out of hiding––or is he? When his Labrador’s antics bring him face to face with a dark-haired spitfire and her pet rabbit, sparks fly, and he begins to wonder if he wants more than his solitary, beach bum lifestyle. When Olivia invites Mac to be her videographer for an upcoming wedding, he dusts off his equipment, but soon discovers she needs more than his technical skills. A flooded yard forces the wedding indoors, and Olivia’s insecurities undermine her confidence. With everything––including their hearts––on the line, Mac and Olivia must trust God and each other if they’re to frame a future together. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

Rumors of Grace by Rena Bell Yeager — Tyler Grant is the cowboy everyone likes to talk about. The Tall Black Hat Guy has a mysterious past and a scandalous present. He likes the ladies, the bars, and fun. Georgia Duncan is everyone’s favorite eighth grade teacher. Cute, girl next door, sings in her church choir. When Tyler asks Georgia out on a date, it is disastrous. As is the next. And the next. They should give up. But when a terrible wreck puts Tyler into the hospital, Georgia offers to let him stay in her spare room while he recuperates. Neighbors talk. Rumors fly. What is the truth? And what do they both learn as they navigate their strange relationship and the rumors surrounding them? Will they find their happily ever after? Do they even want to? (Contemporary Romance from Pixley Knob Press)

Dual/Split Time: The Broken Weathervane by Laura DeNooyer — Two co-workers seek the same information. One wants to publish it; the other has good reasons to keep it hidden. As Leslie Wickersham, Raymond University grants officer, seeks information to unravel a family mystery, English professor Gregory Stafford seeks an elusive interview with one more Buckwalter relative for his upcoming author biography. While Greg and Leslie guard coveted details from each other, her goals are further complicated by letters of blackmail threatening to reveal all she has worked hard to hide. In this dual timeline novel alternating between 2015 and the 1950s, loyalty is tested and secrets abound when family honor collides with truth. Leslie grapples with the trade-off: How far will a person go to help a loved one thrive? (Dual/Split Time from Scrivenings Press)

General Historical: Kate’s Crucible by Elmer Fuller — Kate Collins never imagined her journey to the Kansas Territory in 1855 would be filled with such obstacles and challenges. As she arrives to teach at a New England Emigrant Aid Company settlement, she is met with constant problems—from nature’s wrath to the pain of loss. But it’s not just external forces that challenge Kate, who left a suitor and damaged relationships in Boston. She must confront the question: if God wants her to teach in Kansas, then why does he allow her to face such obstacles? (General Historical, Independently Published)

The Women of Oak Ridge by Michelle Shocklee — 1944. Maebelle Willett arrives in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, eager to begin her new government job and send money home to her impoverished family. She knows little about the work she will be doing, but she’s told it will help America win the war. Not all is what it seems, however. Though Oak Ridge employees are forbidden from discussing their jobs, Mae’s roommate begins sharing disturbing information, then disappears without a trace. Mae desperately attempts to find her but instead comes face-to-face with a life-altering revelation―one that comes at significant cost. 1979. Laurel Willett is a graduate student in Boston when she learns about the history of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where thousands unknowingly worked on the atomic bomb. Intrigued because she knows her Aunt Mae was employed there, Laurel decides to spend the summer with her aunt, hoping to add a family connection to her thesis research. But Mae adamantly refuses to talk about her time in the Secret City. Mae’s friends, however, offer to share their experiences, propelling Laurel on her path to uncovering the truth about a missing woman. As Laurel works to put the pieces together, the hidden pain and guilt Mae has tried so hard to bury comes to light . . . with potentially disastrous consequences. (General Historical from Tyndale House)

Historical Romance: As Far As the West by Barbara A. Curtis — Revenge against Eliza and Caleb Morgan has been smoldering over twenty years in Benton Calloway’s heart. Now the perfect plan to exact payment lands on the threshold of his tailor shop-in the arrival of their daughter, adventurous seamstress Lizzie Morgan. And what could play into his hands better than her interest in his worthless son, Josiah? Lizzie and Josiah struggle to overcome the obstacles hurled at them. Can Lizzie’s love survive, though, when Josiah is accused of being a thief like his father? Is he her redeemed, wounded war hero-or a man following his father’s past? Josiah’s dream of ranching is as shattered as his leg. Even in the bustling city, working as an accountant, his memories from World War I hound him.Past legacies of bitterness are about to be resurrected. Will Lizzie and Josiah follow that path, or will they discover that God’s accounting of grace and forgiveness is boundless-as far as the east is from the west? (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)

The Recluse’s Vindication by Danielle Grandinetti — The Loch Ness Monster isn’t the only recluse seeking a Scottish haven. Bieldfell. Scotland, 1933—Falsely accused of murder sixteen years ago, American cowboy Benjamin Ford has chosen to hide out in the Scottish Highlands. Reclusive and not afraid to die, he rescues children out of an increasingly dangerous Germany. When his childhood best friend appears at his door, he’s not the boy she remembers. Eleanor Finch’s life ended sixteen years ago. In one horrible day, she lost her dreams, her reputation, and her heart. However, she never gives up the hope of finding her friend, so when she learns of Ben’s whereabouts, she leaves all that is familiar to convince him to return home. But Eleanor isn’t the only person searching for Ben. Hunters follow her trail. The thin veil of gossip and rumor may be their only chance of a future … unless the Loch Ness Monster is real after all. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)

Discerning God’s Best Series Collection by Heidi Gray McGill — Four faith-filled stories of love, hope, and healing set in 1800s America, featuring a marriage of convenience, slow-burn romance, found family, and an exclusive bonus story available only in this bundle. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)

Risking it All by Jeri Stockdale — On the run and out of options, Rebecca takes the place of a mail-order bride and marries Jesse, a rancher grieving his wife and raising two children alone—neither of them ready for love, and both estranged from God, until their unexpected union sparks a journey toward redemption neither dared hope for. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)

Christmas Mail Order Brides by Carrie Turansky, Susan Page Davis, Vickie McDonough — Marriage arrives by mail-order—and just in time for Christmas. In these touching stories of faith and romance in the American West, three women seeking new beginnings find love in unexpected places. (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)

Cozy Mystery:

The Last Owners by Jean Rezab — When Courtney purchases a quaint house in the countryside, her dreams of transforming it into a cozy, inviting inn appear within reach. But beneath the charming exterior lurks a tangle of dark secrets. The previous owners vanished without a trace—eight years ago. Driven by curiosity and a sense of justice, Courtney and her husband Alex team up with Gary, the son of the missing couple, to unravel the mystery. The clock is ticking. The promise of treasure draws fortune hunters to dig up the tranquil backyard. When a fresh murder shatters the peace, Courtney realizes that the truth might be buried even deeper than she feared. As the stakes rise and the body count grows, Courtney must decide how much she’s willing to risk to bring the truth to light—and whether some dreams are worth dying for. (Cozy Mystery, Independently Published)

Romantic Suspense: Girl Lost by Kate Angelo — A LOST BABY – Luna Rosati found acceptance and comfort with her childhood foster family, but when she became pregnant at sixteen, she gave the baby up for adoption and left without a word. Now a CIA counterintelligence officer, Luna wants to reconcile her fractured sense of self by finding the only blood family she has–the teenage daughter she’s never met. As Luna closes in on learning the girl’s identity with the help of her mentor, Stryker, she prepares to meet him in her old neighborhood–the last place she wants to be. Then Stryker is captured. AN INESCAPABLE PAST – Special Agent Corbin King changed his last name to escape the shadow of his convicted father serving a life sentence. When he runs into Luna, the object of his failed teenage romance, the two must put their pasts aside and work together to expose a secret that someone’s willing to kill for. A DEADLY THREAT – But when they encounter a kidnapping, missing bodies, and murder, the secrets Corbin and Luna are keeping from one another are only the beginning of the threat they face with more than their own lives at stake. (Romantic Suspense from Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group)

Canyon of Deceit by DiAnn Mills — A survival expert and a Texas Ranger trek into an off-the-grid desolate area to free a seven-year-old little girl who’s held hostage to silence her Russian father from revealing terrorist information. (Romantic Suspense from Tyndale House)

Unexpected Danger by Penny Zeller — Londyn Siegler never imagined her attempt at a fresh start would include a stalker intent on watching her every move. Nor did she imagine her unidentified stalker would follow her back to the very place she was running from–and now the only place that can offer even a semblance of protection. Now, as danger grows and the stalker remains at large, Londyn finds herself seeking refuge with Sheriff Brodie Brenneman, the man whose heart she broke. When the stalker’s attacks increase in severity, Londyn and Brodie find themselves fighting for their lives…and their rekindled love. Can justice be served before it’s too late? (Romantic Suspense from Maplebrook Publishing)

Speculative Fiction/Fantasy: The Stolen Destinies by Demi Griffin — Wren was accustomed to guiding others in shaping their fates in the grand tapestry of Everlasting’s history. However, the weight of the destinies resting solely on his shoulders was a novel sensation for him. As the Bookshelf of the Ages was desecrated by theft, the air thickened with tension, disrupting Wren’s peaceful repose. Tasked with safeguarding the Divine Territory and rescuing the stolen destinies, he embarked on a quest filled with mysterious clues and the palpable sense of urgency. Would his failure thwart the King’s plan toward The Illumination? (This interlude should be read after book five and before book six of the Illumination Chronicles) (Speculative Fiction/Fantasy, Independently Published)

 

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

Kage: The 6th Commandment by Charlene Amsden — When wounded journalist Trina Vaughn’s life collides with that of ex-con pastor Kage Kincade, the two must trust each other with their lives—and their hearts—as they confront a conspiracy that tests the limits of faith, courage, and the commandment ‘Thou shalt not kill.’ (Romantic Suspense)

This Isn’t Shakespeare by Stephanie Cardel — When her dreams fall apart, Madison believes it’s a sign from God she should commit to her atheist boyfriend and make a new dream, but once she realizes God would never send her a sign that would cause her to sin, how can she forgive herself for believing the lies of the world? (Young Adult)

Surviving the Deal by Seralynn Lewis — She’s not looking for love. He’s not looking for a wife. But a deal with eternal consequences is about to change everything. (Contemporary Romance)

Her Secret Amish Admirer by Beth Wiseman — Sadie Miller is content with her job as a schoolteacher in a small Amish community located in southern Indiana. She loves children, but her past keeps her from pursuing marriage and having a family of her own. (General Contemporary)

The Day Sarah Ran Away by Janell Goodrich York — When her daughter’s return sparks unexpected change, Sarah leaves routine behind for a cross-country journey-full of surprises, self-discovery, and a future she never imagined. (General Contemporary)

Cranberry Sauce Recipe

by Sandra Merville Hart

When I was growing up, my dad was the only one who really liked cranberry sauce at Thanksgiving so my mom bought it in a can. My husband said the same thing happened at his boyhood home.

As an adult, I love cranberry breads and desserts. This year I decided to make cranberry sauce to serve at our Thanksgiving meal. I read a variety of recipes and created this one that serves 8-10. 

Ingredients

12-ounce package fresh cranberries

½ cup water

½ cup orange juice

1 cup sugar

1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon orange zest

¼ cup pecans

¼ cup orange sections, cut small

Rinse cranberries. Discard the fruit that is mushy or has soft spots.

Combine orange juice and water in a saucepan. Stir in sugar until dissolved over medium heat. Add the cranberries and lower the heat to medium low. The cranberries will be ready when they pop and soften. This takes about ten minutes. Stir occasionally.

While the cranberries cook, zest ½ of an orange into a small bowl. Slice the orange in half and remove the membrane from 2-3 orange sections. Cut these into small pieces to make ¼ cup and add to zest. Stir in pecans and cinnamon. Set aside.

Once the cranberries are cooked, remove from heat and allow to cool about five minutes before adding the orange/pecan mixture. Stir until combined.

Refrigerate until serving.

There is a delicious orange flavor that would overpower the cranberries if more juice or fruit was added. Because I like orange and cranberries together, this seemed a good blend to me. Omit the orange sections and zest if you prefer a stronger cranberry flavor. The hint of cinnamon was just enough.

Enjoy!

Announcing the Upcoming Release of Streams of Courage!

by Sandra Merville Hart

I’m thrilled to announce that Streams of Courage, Book 4 of my Spies of the Civil War Series, will release on March 26, 2024!

Books 4 – 6 of the series are set in historic Vicksburg, Mississippi—a city the Union is as determined to capture as the Confederacy is to retain. Much happens here during the Civil War, not the least of which is spying.

Ash fears that his fellow citizens consider him a coward for not mustering into the Confederate army with the other brave men in his city, including his two best buddies. He’s accused of hiding behind his limp.

He can’t fight for the South while supporting the North. Perhaps his spying will hurry the end of the war and save lives on both sides.

That’s his goal. Unfortunately, he must keep his spying a secret from Julia, his girl, to keep her and her family safe.  

Here’s a bit about the book:

In a world turned upside down by war and betrayal…will his role as a spy bring them closer…or tear their future apart?

The war that Julia Dodd prayed to avoid is now reality, and with it, her world has been turned on its head. Her fellow citizens, who stood with her in their support of the union, have crossed firmly to the side of the south. And her mother, lost in her grief over the loss of her husband and children, can think of nothing but protecting Julia’s brother’s inheritance. She insists that her daughter seek a wealthier husband than Ashburn Mitchell.

Ash knows what his fellow citizens think of him when he refuses to fight for the Confederacy. Shouldering the accusation of being a coward and refusing to hide behind his limp, Ash remains in Vicksburg to support his family as a saddler while his two best friends join the fight. Struggling to increase his business so he can marry the woman he loves, Ash becomes a spy in support of the Union. He can’t fight for the South but won’t raise a musket against them.

As tragedy instigates Ash to risk greater danger to speed the end of the war, Julia can only pray it won’t cost them everything. She’s already lost her father and two siblings. Must she lose the man she loves too?

Preorder your copy today on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple, and Books2Read.

Background for A Not So Convenient Marriage

by Sandra Merville Hart

There are some stories that must be told. A Not So Convenient Marriage is one of them for me.

I don’t know what it is about this story, but once I began writing it over a dozen years ago, the characters wouldn’t leave me alone.

I wrote the first draft of this book a few years before my first book—another book, A Stranger on My Land—released, so I was still learning about the writing journey. I’m certain that my first draft of A Not So Convenient Marriage wasn’t ready for publication because it was rejected.

But the characters in my imagination wouldn’t allow me to let this one go. I edited and reedited, using skills I learned at writing conferences. Then I tried again with another editor. Another rejection. And then another.

Discouraged, I worked on other writing projects and met with a little success. When my first Civil War romance published, I decided to follow my heart and continue writing about that turbulent time period.

This book was set aside.

Still, every morning I woke up thinking about the characters in A Not So Convenient Marriage. In my mind, I’d rewrite a scene from the book as I lay, trying to sleep, in the middle of the night. Or the story would haunt me before falling asleep at night, keeping me awake an hour or two.

This happened almost daily for years.

Finally, I pulled up the manuscript again. It had been written in my early days so it required a lot of modification. I asked my agent to begin showing my updated proposal for the book. She was happy to do this because she always believed in this book. In fact, she decided to represent me after reading my proposal for it.

By the way, the story was still keeping me awake as I waited to sign a book contract.

Last year, I was thrilled when Misty Beller at Wild Heart Books offered me a contract for a three-book series for this novel. Not only that, she also gave me a three-book contract for my “Spies of the Civil War” series, that published this year. (I invite you to read the whole “Spies of the Civil War” series beginning with Book 1 Avenue of Betrayal, Book 2 Boulevard of Confusion, and Book 3 Byway to Danger.)

Misty told me that she cried when reading my manuscript for A Not So Convenient Marriage—the first time that had ever happened for a submission. That touched my heart.

I’m happy to say that scenes from the book no longer keep me awake at night…for now the story will be told.

Back Cover Blurb

A spinster teacher…a grieving widower…a marriage of convenience and a second chance with the man she’s always loved…

When Samuel Walker proposes a marriage of convenience to Rose Hatfield so soon after the death of his wife, she knows he doesn’t love her. She’s loved him since their school days. Those long-suppressed feelings spring to life as she marries him. She must sell her childhood home, quit her teaching job, and move to a new city.

Marrying Rose is harder than Samuel expected, especially with the shadow of his deceased wife everywhere in his life. And he has two young children to consider. Peter and Emma need a mother’s love, but they also need to hold close the memories of their real mother as they grieve her loss.

Life as Samuel’s wife is nothing like Rose hoped, and even the townspeople, who loved his first wife, make Rose feel like an outsider. The work of the farm draws the two of them closer, giving hope that they might one day become a happy family. Until the dream shatters, and the life Rose craves tumbles down around them. Only God can put these pieces back together, but the outcome may not look anything like she planned.

Available on Amazon, Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, and Books 2 Read.

Coming Soon! A Second Chances Novel Release!

by Sandra Merville Hart

I wanted to share some exciting news with you—my next series will soon begin releasing! A Not So Convenient Marriage, Book 1 of my new “Second Chances” series, will release November 8, 2022!

This series begins a dozen years after the end of the Civil War. The first book is set in 1877 in three Ohio locations: Hamilton, Harrison, and the train town of Bradford Junction.

The second book is set in Cincinnati in 1883—84. (It was fun to share a few recognizable locations in this novel.)

I will soon begin writing the third book, so stay turned for details!

Here’s a bit about A Not So Convenient Marriage:

A spinster teacher…a grieving widower…a marriage of convenience and a second chance with the man she’s always loved…

When Samuel Walker proposes a marriage of convenience to Rose Hatfield so soon after the death of his wife, she knows he doesn’t love her. She’s loved him since their school days. Those long-suppressed feelings spring to life as she marries him. She must sell her childhood home, quit her teaching job, and move to a new city.

Marrying Rose is harder than Samuel expected, especially with the shadow of his deceased wife everywhere in his life. And he has two young children to consider. Peter and Emma need a mother’s love, but they also need to hold close the memories of their real mother as they grieve her loss.

Life as Samuel’s wife is nothing like Rose hoped, and even the townspeople, who loved his first wife, make Rose feel like an outsider. The work of the farm draws the two of them closer, giving hope that they might one day become a happy family. Until the dream shatters, and the life Rose craves tumbles down around them. Only God can put these pieces back together, but the outcome may not look anything like she planned.

Available on Amazon, Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, and Books 2 Read.

A bit about Sandra

Sandra Merville Hart, award-winning and Amazon bestselling author of inspirational historical romances, loves to discover little-known facts from American history to include in her novels. In fact, many of her stories are inspired by visits to historical sites such as battlefields. Sandra treats all her vacations with her husband as an adventure for she never knows where inspiration for a story willarise. Her desire is to transport her readers back in time. Sandra is also a blogger, speaker, and conference teacher.

Last Day for Byway to Danger eBook Sale!

by Sandra Merville Hart

This is the final day for BookBub’s Featured Deal sale for Byway to Danger, Book 3 in the “Spies of the Civil War” series!

This means that Byway to Danger eBook version will only be available for 99 cents one more day!

Here’s a bit about the book:

Everyone in Richmond has secrets. Especially the spies.

Meg Brooks, widow, didn’t stop spying for the Union when her job at the Pinkerton National Detective Agency ended, especially now that she lives in the Confederate capital. Her job at the Yancey bakery provides many opportunities to discover vital information about the Confederacy to pass on to her Union contact. She prefers to work alone, yet the strong, silent baker earns her respect and tugs at her heart.

Cade Yancey knows the beautiful widow is a spy when he hires her only because his fellow Unionist spies know of her activities. Meg sure didn’t tell him. He’s glad she knows how to keep her mouth shut, for he has hidden his dangerous activities from even his closest friends. The more his feelings for the courageous woman grow, the greater his determination to protect her by guarding his secrets. Her own investigations place her in enough peril.

As danger escalates, Meg realizes her choice to work alone isn’t a wise one. Can she trust Cade with details from her past not even her family knows?

Buy your copy today!

Endorsements for Byway to Danger

by Sandra Merville Hart

I was thrilled to receive three wonderful endorsements for Byway to Danger. Book 3 in my “Spies of the Civil War” series released on July 19, 2022. It’s set in the Confederate capital of Richmond and Fort Monroe, both in Virginia, in 1862.

“Several years ago I had the distinct pleasure of vetting Sandra Hart’s first manuscript submitted to our publishing company. Her story was about the Battle of Lookout Mountain, and became her acclaimed first novel A Stranger on My Land. I was amazed then at her level of research and the small details she got right. Not to mention her intriguing story and her courage in offering a fresh look at a battle that had been covered many times before. Now, several books later, I’m delighted to say that not only has Sandra maintained her quality, but her level of research and attention to detail has only improved from what was already an impressively high standard. In her new book, Byway to Danger, the third in her Spies of the Civil War series, Sandra has taken her writing to new heights. She sprinkles awesome historical details throughout her story that enrich the story without overpowering it.  I could almost smell the goodies cooking in the bakery that is our heroine Meg’s base of operations. Sandra Hart has crafted a wonderful story, with rich characters and a taut, roller coaster of a ride through the streets of Confederate Richmond, Virginia, and the incredibly tense lives of the undercover Union spies who live there. Yet even in constant danger, love can grow like a flower through concrete, and this too Sandra nurtures with a fine and delicate hand. Byway to Danger is simply a delightful, wonderful read…I hated to see it end!”

~ Kevin Spencer, Author, North Carolina Expatriates

“Award-winning and Amazon Bestselling Author Sandra Merville Hart brings us another Civil War sweet romance you will not want to miss. Byway to Danger combines her gentle storytelling style with a plot full of secrets, danger, and sweet romance that kept me glued to the page. This is the last book of the Spies of the Civil War series and stands on its own but, if you missed the other books, after reading this you’ll want to read the other two books.” 

~Catherine Castle, Multi-Award-Winning Author

Byway to Danger is an intriguing look into the heroism of the men and women loyal to the Union living in the South. Sandra Merville Hart’s novels always satisfy this history buff with details that bring the characters to life. The love story between Meg, a Union spy and former Pinkerton, and Cade Yancey, the baker she works for who is also a conductor on the Underground Railroad, is touching as they both overcome past heartache to find love together. I found myself transported back to a time when danger lurked everywhere but also where joy still reigned.

~Cindy Thomson, Author of the Ellis Island Series and the Daughters of Ireland Series

How Fun to Receive a Silver Medal During the Olympics!

 

I love watching the Olympics and hearing the stories behind the athletes’ struggles to make it there.

What a joy it was to receive my Silver Medal from Illumination Book Awards during the Olympic season! My novel, A Rebel in My House, was awarded 2018 Silver Medal for Inspirational/Romance Fiction.

If you enjoy reading historical romances, I invite you to read this novel set during one of our nation’s most famous Civil War battles, the Battle of Gettysburg.

 

New Civil War Novel Releasing in July

Sandra’s newest novel, A Rebel in My House, is a Civil War romance set in Gettysburg during the famous 1863 battle. This novel releases on July 15th!

When the cannons roar beside Sarah Hubbard’s home outside of Gettysburg, she despairs of escaping the war that’s come to Pennsylvania. A wounded Confederate soldier on her doorstep leaves her with a heart-wrenching decision.

Separated from his regiment and with a bullet in his back, Jesse Mitchell needs help. He seeks refuge at a house beside Willoughby Run. His future lies in the hands of a woman whose sympathies lay with the North.

Jesse has promised his sister-in-law he’d bring his brother home from the war. Sarah has promised her sister that she’d stay clear of the enemy. Can the two keep their promises amid a war bent on tearing their country apart?

 

 

Click here to receive the special pre-order price!