Laurie GermaineI pray you all had a wonderful Christmas, whether you stuck to family traditions or celebrated in a completely new way, as my family did in spending the holidays with my folks in Florida. My first Christmas ever in a warm climate!
As we now look forward to the New Year and all the plans and hopes we have already written onto the calendar pages, below are some new releases you might also anticipate as the months unfold. The links I have included will bring you to the Baker Book House website, where most of these books are currently on a pre-order sale. They can also be found on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc. (If you’re reading this in your email from your phone, I would suggest clicking on this post’s title to open it in your browser for easier viewing/reading.)
Historical Fiction: Beyond the Clouds by Elizabeth Camden
As teenagers, Delia Byrne and Finn Delaney fell in love while flying kites and dreaming of a future together–until betrayal tore them apart. Now, as America enters World War I, Delia works for peace as a paralegal and pacifist. Her values forbid her from supporting the war effort, but she volunteers for a relief organization trying to save millions of lives in famine-stricken Belgium.
Returning to America as a decorated war hero, Finn is eager to get back to the front but is assigned to use his fame to raise funds instead. To his surprise, this mission will bring him face-to-face with Delia, the only woman he ever loved and once hoped to marry. As their shared mission draws them together, old sparks of romance begin to stir–until duty sends them behind enemy lines in occupied Belgium. Will the greatest danger be the conflict raging around them–or the possibility of falling in love again?
Historical Romance: A Love Once Lost by Jennie Goutet
Amy Bridwell reluctantly accompanies her family on a Grand Tour of the Continent–the very trip her former sweetheart proposed they take as newlyweds. Receiving no suitable marriage offer in the six years since and with her heart still guarded by regret, Amy has no choice but to go along with her widower father and younger sisters to ensure their travels proceed smoothly.
James Fletcher has built a successful practice as a physician in the fashionable resort town of Spa. Though he came with a wounded heart, seeking distance from Amy’s rejection, he’s managed to build a respectable life and is now engaged to a woman who will ensure his professional future. If only he could be certain that his betrothed’s heart is truly his.
When the Bridwells arrive at their first destination, Amy is stunned to encounter James again. He is promised to another, and as old feelings resurface, Amy must confront the choice she made six years ago, facing the possibility that her heart has never truly moved on.
Rom-Com: The Roman Holiday Rule by Andra Loy
Lexi Walker has finally committed to the Italian adventure that she and her late mother dreamed of for years–complete with a meticulously crafted itinerary, four sealed letters to open at Rome’s most romantic sites, and her mother’s final painting to present at the art festival Lexi is helping organize. She’s ready for the perfect Roman getaway. What she doesn’t expect is for her mother’s artwork to start manifesting in real life, turning her carefully planned trip into something unpredictable.
Italian-American architect Mark Russo has sworn off American tourists after having his heart broken, and he’s certainly not about to let another one distract him from winning the restoration bid that could reunite his estranged father with his grandfather. But when the captivating woman next to him on the flight to Rome proposes a photography challenge–whoever captures the heart of Italy in five days wins–Mark can’t resist the bet and her charm.
As Lexi follows the letters from her mother around the city, she encounters Mark everywhere she goes. Their competitive banter turns to undeniable chemistry, but they both know the cardinal rule of holiday romances: You can’t fall in love with someone who lives somewhere else and expect a happily-ever-after. Will a little magic–and a lot of mishaps–break the Roman Holiday Rule?
Speculative Fiction: The Bookshop of 99 Doors by Jaime Jo Wright
In 1888, Minnie Tipton finds herself beset by the dark superstitions that envelop the Pennsylvania mansion her father bought. Convinced the vengeful spirit of a Civil War captain haunts the house and worried by her father’s rapidly worsening illness, Minnie delves into the home’s fraught past in an effort to bring him peace. Yet the lingering impact of the war and the gruesome tale of murder she uncovers only foster more fear and threaten to unravel Minnie’s own sanity.
In the present day, Triss Bellamy eagerly steps into the role of bookshop manager in the mansion-turned-museum boasting ninety-nine doors. But Triss’s dream job turns into a nightmare when havoc breaks loose with the arrival of her brother’s team of self-proclaimed paranormal investigators. Their determination to find a rumored one-hundredth door–a dangerous portal to the madness long said to plague the mansion–results in calamity, leaving Triss no choice but to hunt down the truth or watch her brother slip forever beyond her reach.
Suspense: Deadly Currents by Elizabeth Goddard
Investigative journalist Cressida Dane arrives in Hidden Bay after a worldwide journey to finish her late father’s manuscript on shipwrecks. As she tries to discover the story behind the “ghost ship” Specter’s Bounty, her only lead is a name her father left behind–Evelyn Monroe. As Cressida uncovers more about the ship, she quickly realizes that her research has placed her in the crosshairs of dangerous forces.
County detective Braden Sanders is in Hidden Bay for one reason–to get his niece lifesaving medical treatment. To do that, he is assigned to protect Cressida from a revenge-driven enemy. Together, Braden and Cressida dig deeper to discern the myth from the facts surrounding the Specter’s Bounty.
But more is brewing under the surface than they could ever imagine. Entangled in secrets, they must unravel the past before the current sweeps away their future.
Young Adult: The Music of Us by Emerald Alexandrea
If life came with a playlist, Lucy’s current era would be “stressed girl summer.” While her friends are out enjoying the last summer before college, Lucy has her hands full managing her mom’s quirky cat café. But with the fancy new coffee shop across the street, how will she attract enough customers to adopt the cats–or even pay the rent?
In a desperate moment, Lucy emails her ex-best friend (and first crush) Jake Moody, who’s now the resident bad boy in the massively popular boy band the Usual Suspects. Lucy hasn’t spoken to him in years–not since he kissed her and left for auditions without a backward glance. Which she’s totally not holding a grudge about, thanks for asking.
To her surprise, Jake is all in on hosting a livestream performance to raise support for the café–and salvage his image after his most recent scandal. As Jake and Lucy work together to corral his bandmates and plan the livestream, she finds her old feelings resurfacing despite her firm intentions to keep her distance. Is it possible the old Jake she knew is still hiding under his new rebellious image?
Middle Grade: Parable Port–The Sower’s Secret by Brock Eastman & Shaun Stevenson
When Anthony and his mom move to the seaside town of Parable Port, they’re just hoping for a fresh start. Anthony soon finds out that there’s something unusual about this little town: it’s a place where Jesus’ parables come to life in surprising ways.
The adventure begins when a flock of orange birds stalks Anthony and flowering vines grow everywhere, knocking people out cold with their pollen. In the good old days, the living parables would help the town to flourish. But now? Something or someone is messing with the Parable of the Sower and causing chaos.
With the help of his new friends Duck, J.R., Grace, and Brooklyn, Anthony must uncover clues, decipher riddles, and stay one step ahead of the birds and vines to save the town–before it’s too late.
Happy New Year! And many happy hours of reading. 😃
Michelle Kaderly Welsh
Kristen Gwen
Julia N. White
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