ACFW January New Releases Are Out!

 ACFW authors bring many exciting new reads to start the new year. Feast your eyes and find yourself a good book for a cozy winter's night.

More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website.

Halflings by Heather Burch -- One girl. Three half-angel guys. And the fate of the world. (Young Adult from Zondervan).

Summer of Promise by Amanda Cabot -- Stagecoach robberies and a certain lieutenant make Abigail Harding's summer at Wyoming's Fort Laramie unforgettable. (Historical Romance from Revell).

The Rose of Winslow Street by Elizabeth Camden -- Libby Sawyer's quiet, respectable life in Colden, Massachusetts is shattered when a bold stranger from Romania invades her world. Fascinated by this enigmatic man, Libby uncovers layers of mystery surrounding Micahel Dobrescu's amazing past...and his plans for the future in which she plays a startling role. (Historical Romance from Bethany House).

Injustice for All by Robin Caroll -- Who can you turn to when everything you believe in is shattered? (Romantic Suspense from B&H Publishing).

A Life of Joy by Amy Clipston -- Take a trip to Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania, where you'll meet the women of the Kauffman Amish Bakery in Lancaster County. As each woman's story unfolds, you will share in her heartaches, trials, joys, dreams ... and secrets. (Romance from Zondervan).

An Amish Family Reunion by Mary Ellis, -- As Phoebe embarks on a new romance and an unlikely career choice for someone Amish, the Miller family tries to put aside differences long enough to attend a joyous family reunion. (Contemporary Romance from Harvest House).

The Keeper by Suzanne Woods Fisher -- Julia Lapp has planned on marrying Paul Fisher since she was a girl. Now twenty-one, she looks forward to their wedding with giddy anticipation. When Paul tells her he wants to postpone the wedding--again--she knows who is to blame. (Contemporary Romance from Revell).

The Accidental Bride by Denise Hunter -- Two high-school sweethearts, a wedding reenactment, and one absent-minded preacher. Is it a recipe for disaster or a chance for a new beginning? (Contemporary Romance from Thomas Nelson ).

All Roads Lead Home by Christine Johnson -- An orphanage agent must drive her car across the United States to save a boy from a disastrous placement with the man who claims to be his father, but she needs the assistance of a mechanic, and the only one willing to help is the man she jilted two years ago. (Historical Romance from Love Inspired).

Firethorn by Ronie Kendig -- Explosive Conclusion to Ronie Kendig's Discarded Heroes series. Blown and dismantled, Nightshade is ready to repay the favor. (Romantic Suspense from Barbour Publishing).

Tomorrow's Sun by Becky Melby-- Faith reaches across the centuries when Emily Foster finds old letters in the 160-year-old house she's remodeling, but Jake Braden, the contractor she's just hired, doesn't share her vision. (Contemporary Romance from Barbour Publishing).
Cherry Blossom Capers by Cara Putman, Lynette Sowell, Gina Conroy, and Frances Devine -- The lives of four neighbors are irrevocably changed amid mystery and romance. Assistant chef Tara Whitley is seeking a state dinner saboteur. Attorney Ciara Turner is tracking down a murderer. Budding archeologist Samantha Steele encounters a forger. Shop owner Susan Holland is someone's target. Will God protect them in life and love? (Romance/Mystery from Barbour Publishing).
The Secret Heiress by Terri Reed-- An adopted woman discovers she's heir to a fortune, only someone doesn't want her to live long enough to inherit. So she must hire a bodyguard to keep her safe but soon realizes her heart's in danger as well. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired Suspense).

Amelia's Journey by Martha W. Rogers-- When young rancher Ben and socialite Amelia meet again after six years, they are attracted to each other immediately, but Amelia's parents have other ideas for their daughter and forbid the relationship. (Historical Romance from Realms).

Winter Promise by Martha W. Rogers-- Abigail Monroe comes to Porterfield, Texas to open a library and to join her brother, Daniel and best friend, Rachel Reed with no thoughts of marriage, but young Doctor Elliot and Deputy Sheriff Cory Muldoon are both smitten and vie for her heart. (Historical Romance from Realms).

Where Wildflowers Bloom by Ann Shorey-- Will Faith Lindberg follow her heart, or marry the wrong man to achieve her goal? (Historical Romance from Revell).

Addison Blakely: Confessions of a PK by Betsy St. Amant-- Sixteen-year-old Addison Blakely has tirelessly played the role of PK-preacher's kid-her entire life. But after Wes Keegan revs his motorcycle into town and into her heart, Addison begins to wonder how much of her faith is her own and how much has been handed to her. (Young Adult from Barbour Publishing).

Words of Wisdom from Agent Chip MacGregor

I just read Chip MacGregor's blog for today and for writers he has a lot of great words of wisdom. I can't post it here, but I can post the link.

http://chipmacgregor.typepad.com/main/2011/12/whats-your-best-writing-advice.html

Glory to God in the Highest This Christmas Day!

Christmas greetings! 

In the Chicago area, we are having a brown Christmas this year. Beautiful clear blue sky and not a cloud in sight. The temp is about 30 degrees, due to rise to the upper 30s before the day is over. And nary a flake of snow to cover the brown grass.

Yesterday, as I was reading Luke 2 in the Bible and reflecting on the night Christ was born, I paused at the part where the angels appeared to the shepherds to announce the birth of Jesus. I don’t use the King James Bible but Luke 2:14 in that version reads:

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace good will toward men.”

Back when I was about age six or seven, I attended Sunday school at a Congregational church that was only a half block from our home. It wasn’t the church denomination either of my parents were raised in, but when we first moved to that house we didn’t have a car, so that neighborhood church became our church for those years.

As in most churches, the children put on a Christmas program each year where the Christmas story was acted out according to Scripture. One year, I was chosen to be an angel. I remember my mom sewing my costume out of lots and lots of gauze, and on top of my blonde curls sat a tinsel halo. I’m sure I must have had wings as well. God has a sense of humor, I’m sure, because I was anything but an angelic child. To top it off, I was given one speaking line. You guessed it. Luke 2:14 in the King James Version, which back then was the only version people used.

I remember saying it over and over and on the night of the performance, I quoted it in the same strong voice I still have, at the top of my lungs. I nailed it. The very first Bible verse I’d ever memorized.

If only back at that tender age I truly understood the meaning behind the words. Like a river, lots of years had to flow under the bridge before my spiritual heart would awaken from its slumber. Not on Christmas, but on a Good Friday afternoon as I sat in a far different church listening to the biblical account of the crucifixion.

That Christmas back in my childhood I celebrated baby Jesus, not really understanding the significance of His coming and probably more focused on what would be under the tree for me Christmas morning. Little realizing that God’s gift to us at Christmas is far more valuable than a bike or a doll.

When I gave my heart to the crucified and risen Jesus on Good Friday over thirty years later, I came to finally understand the words I’d memorized as a child. Because of God’s good will in sending His Son Jesus to earth as a man, I could come to faith in Jesus my Savior and have eternal life with God the Father.

Now I can say loud and clear and with great joy,

“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will to men!!”

Merry Christmas to All!!!

The busyness of December has gotten away from me. I've been plotting and starting the first draft of Book 2 in my On The Road to Love Series (more adventures of April and Marc!), preparing to coordinate ACFW's Genesis writing contest for unpublished writers which opens January 2nd, and doing Christmas things like baking pumpkin bread to give away, hosting a Christmas dinner and gift exchange for the ladies in my small group, and dealing with a car battery that was being drained by an errant amplifier.

Despite it all, I have been careful to remind myself of the Reason for the Season. It's not about presents or food or parties, although that's what many seem to think. I read an article in the paper recently on the Christian significance of Christmas, and the author said he wanted to stab a candy cane through the heart of the person who made up a department store ad campaign for this year which says simply "Believe." It made me laugh, but really ... What does any store that places that word in their ads want the consumer to believe? That they have the best deals in town? The most choices? What? I'm sure it's not to believe that Jesus is the Reason for the Season.

But wait! Maybe whomever developed the campaign does believe Jesus is the Reason for the Season and that's their subtle way of making a statement.

Regardless, I choose to believe the way I want to believe.

Merry Christmas!

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