Click here for newer inspirationals and women's fiction
Here are some newer inspirational romance and women's fiction, compiled for you and HEA by some of our favorite romance authors (info provided by publishers and/or their websites.
Huckleberry Hill by Jennifer Beckstrand (Zebra). In this first book in a heartwarming new series set in Huckleberry Hill, WI, two octogenarian Amish folks try their hands at matchmaking—with unforgettable results… The Helmuths' thirteen children are grown with families of their own. Anna and Felty Helmuth look to stir up a little excitement. What could be more fun than throwing two young people together to see if sparks ignite? And who would ever suspect two octogenarian Amish folks of mischief?
The following new releases were compiled by HEA contributor Serena Chase, author of The Ryn, a romantic YA fantasy retelling of the classic Grimm fairy tale Snow White & Rose Red. Visit her website at www.serenachase.com.
The Dancing Master by Julie Klassen (Bethany House). Finding himself the man of the family, London dancing master Alec Valcourt moves his mother and sister to remote Devonshire, hoping to start over. But he is stunned to learn the village matriarch has prohibited all dancing, for reasons buried deep in her past. Though he's initially wary of the matriarch's daughter, Julia Midwinter, he comes to realize her bold exterior disguises a vulnerable soul--and hidden sorrows of her own. Filled with mystery and romance, The Dancing Master brings to life the intriguing profession of those who taught essential social graces for ladies and gentlemen hoping to make a "good match" in Regency England.
A Promise Kept by Robin Lee Hatcher (Thomas Nelson Publishers). The day Allison issued her husband an ultimatum, she thought it might save him. She never expected he would actually leave. She was certain God had promised to heal; it was clear that she'd misunderstood. Now living in the quiet mountain cabin she inherited from her single, self-reliant Great Aunt Emma, Allison must come to terms with her grief and figure out how to adapt to small town life. But when she finds a wedding dress and a collection of journals in Emma's attic, a portrait of her aunt emerges that takes Allison completely by surprise: a portrait of a heartbroken woman a lot like herself. A Promise Kept is Robin Lee Hatcher's most intimate work yet and an emotionally charged thanksgiving to a God who answers prayers—in His time and His own ways.
All Things Hidden by Tracie Peterson & Kimberly Woodhouse (Bethany House Publishers). Gwyn Hillerman loves being a nurse at her father's clinic on the beautiful Alaskan frontier. But family life has been rough ever since her mother left them, disdaining the uncivilized country and taking Gwyn's younger sister with her. In Chicago, Dr. Jeremiah Vaughan finds his life suddenly turned upside down when his medical license is stripped away after an affluent patient dies. In a snowball effect, his fiance breaks their engagement. In an attempt to bury the past, Jeremiah accepts Dr. Hillerman's invitation to join his growing practice in the isolated Alaska Territory. Gwyn and Jeremiah soon recognize a growing attraction to each other. But when rumors of Jeremiah's past begin to surface, they'll need more than love to face the threat of an uncertain future.
Luminary (Anomaly series, book 2) by Krista McGee (Thomas Nelson Publishers). After escaping an underground annihilation chamber, Thalli, Berk, Rhen, and John find themselves fleeing across the former United States, aboveground for the first time. As the defectors cross the forgotten landscape, the three youths see things they had only read about on screens: horses, rain, real books—and a colony of unsanctioned survivors living the ancient way in a town called New Hope. When the citizens of New Hope reveal the truth of what happened years ago, Thalli is left unsettled and skeptical of everything she's ever been told. Can she trust anything from the State, including her own feelings for Berk? When she volunteers for a peace mission to New Hope's violent neighbor, Athens, her confusion mounts as the supposedly ruthless Prince Alex turns out to be kind and charming. Although everyone in New Hope warned her not to, she can't help but fall for him.
A Match Made in Texas (novella collection) by Karen Witemeyer, Mary Connealy, Regina Jennings, Carol Cox (Bethany House Publishers). In Dry Gulch, Texas, a good-hearted busybody is matching up women in dire straits with men of good character. A Cowboy Unmatched: Neill isn't sure who hired him to repair Clara's roof--he only knows Clara desperately needs his help. Can he convince this stubborn widow to let down her guard and take another chance on love? An Unforeseen Match: Hoping to earn an honest wage on his way to the land rush, Clayton ends up on Grace's doorstep, lured by a classified ad. He may have signed on for more than he expected though--and he may have found the one woman who can keep him from moving on. No Match for Love: Andrew can't fathom how refined Lucy ended up as the caretaker to his dotty aunt, and somehow her arrival has prompted even more bizarre occurrences around the ranch. When they join forces to unearth the truth, will the attraction between Andrew and Lucy develop into more? Meeting Her Match: When the tables are turned and a tenderhearted meddler becomes the beneficiary of a matchmaking scheme, her world is turned upside down. As her entire life changes, will she finally be able to tell the banker's son how much she cares for him?
The following new releases were compiled for HEA by Renee Ryan, author of Finally a Bride. Her website is reneeryan.com.
All Who Dream (Letting Go) by Nicole Deese. Struggling to rebuild her life after she was brutally attacked and left her for dead six years ago, Angie takes comfort in the quiet life she's created with her son Cody in the suburbs of Dallas. It's a simple existence: managing a florist shop, leading a weekly recovery group, and blogging about the joys and challenges of being a single mom. But simple just became a lot more complicated. When Angie's blog goes viral, the unexpected begins to happen. Suddenly, she's signing with a publicist and heading to New York City for the summer, where she meets brooding bachelor Jackson Ross. Though she is drawn to the mysterious CEO of Pinkerton Press, her instincts are as unreliable as her heart. Jackson is well-versed in the art of denial. His perfect facade has been nearly impenetrable—until now. When the details of Angie's past are targeted by scandal, Jackson urges her to confront her fear despite his refusal to do the same. But neither of them can move forward without first uncovering one vital truth...
Sunset's Dawn by J Brent Eaton. Can Jake Jennings, a man who has suffered unspeakable loss find peace and God's grace in his new home town of Sunset, or will the woman he never hoped to find be the answer to his prayers? Jake escapes the emotional entanglements of Houston, where he lost his wife and baby over a decade ago, to start a new life in Central Texas. His desire is to live in solitude on a quiet ranch and continue his ministry as a chaplain. Jen is a nurse, a single mother, and wants nothing more than to rid herself of ties to her ex-husband, the man who wrecked her dream of a loving family for her children. The last thing she wants is an attraction to another man. Can Jake overcome his fear of loving again and risk sharing his soul with another woman? Is it safe for Jennifer to be close to another man?
Wyoming Wedding Bells by Jillian Hart. Addy Granger has given up on love--for herself, anyway. Wedding bells seem to be ringing away for other members of her family, but not for her. No way, no how. She is currently suffering from a severe case of love doom, and down deep she fears she can never open her heart to love, not after the way her boyfriend back in college hurt her. Blake Parnell has returned home from a long stint in the Marines, determined not to be that boy he used to be in high school--the one so hopelessly in love with Addy Granger. He'd joined the Marines and traveled the world to get over her, but the instant he sees her again those old feelings return full force. He fears history is about to repeat itself because Addy Granger has never seen him as anything more than a friend. But as they work together to restore an old sleigh for her dad's wedding, Blake begins to hope he has a real chance to win her heart--if only he can make her believe.
The following new releases were compiled for HEA by Jennifer Faye, author of the upcoming Safe in the Tycoon's Arms. Her website is jenniferfaye.com.
Her Unexpected Cowboy by Debra Clopton (Love Inspired). Rowdy McDermott has a plan. Stay on the straight and narrow, help the foster boys on Sunrise Ranch and forget about love. The last thing he expects is his pretty new neighbor falling literally into his arms. Lucy Calvert is glad the handsome cowboy broke her fall, but isn't ready for the feelings he's stirring in her heart. She's heard rumors about his past, and is steering clear from the kind of man he used to be. With a little help from his boys, can Rowdy show her that people— and hearts—can change?
Bayou Sweetheart by Lenora Worth (Love Inspired). For landscaper Callie Moreau, working in the gardens of Fleur House is a dream come true. Then she meets the owner, a mysterious millionaire with rumors following him wherever he goes. Callie finds herself drawn to Tomas Delacorte in spite of the darkness in his eyes. And Tomas can't resist the joy that Callie brings to his days. He could be the man Callie's always prayed for. But when Tomas's secrets come to light, and the people she's known all her life are threatened, Callie must decide if she can stand by the man who's stealing her heart.
Season of Redemption by Jenna Mindel (Love Inspired). After a night of mistakes and misunderstandings, Ryan Marsh thinks he's back on the road to redemption. All he needs to do is convince the court-appointed counselor that he's just fine. But when counseling intern Kellie Cavanaugh sees the stark pain in Ryan's eyes, she knows that without her help he's headed for disaster. Soon it's Kellie who's in trouble. She can't get personally involved, no matter how drawn to Ryan she might be. When they end up volunteering for the same community project, Kellie can't deny her growing feelings. Will she land exactly where she shouldn't…in love?
His Ideal Match by Arlene James (Love Inspired). Carissa Hopper's always been self-sufficient. So when the single mom of three finds herself in need, accepting help from the rugged and adventurous Phillip Chatam isn't easy. She knows he's the kind of man she should stay far away from. Still, when his aunts offer her lodging at Chatam House, where Phillip also resides, Carissa can't refuse. Always on the move, Phillip has no interest in settling down. But as he gets to know Carissa's children—and falls for their mother—he realizes that his biggest adventure will be convincing Carissa to let him be a part of her future.
The Rancher's Secret Son by Betsy St. Amant (Love Inspired). When her troubled teenage son is sent to Camp Hope, Emma Shaver is thrilled and relieved. The therapy horse ranch in Broken Bend, Louisiana, is well-known for giving at-risk teens a new lease on life. There's just one problem—it's owned by her old high school sweetheart, Max Ringgold, who doesn't know he's her son's father. Emma didn't plan on facing her past to ensure her son's future. But when old feelings for Max resurface, Emma must decide if she will reveal the truth to him and restore her family for good.
The Firefighter's New Family by Gail Martin (Love Inspired). A tornado may have left Ashley Kern injured beneath a fallen tree, but it's her rescuer who plays havoc with her emotions. Firefighter Devon Murphy is everything the single mom could wish for in a husband: handsome, a doting father and ready to join his family to hers. But how can the pretty war widow make a life once more with a man whose career is full of danger? Devon has fought some pretty big battles in his life, but can he help Ashley conquer her fears and show her the safest place of all is in his arms?
The Wyoming Heir by Naomi Rawlings (Love Inspired Historical). Luke Hayes wouldn't ever leave his Wyoming ranch. Yet when his estranged grandfather dies, leaving him everything, he'll travel to New York—but only to collect his sister and his inheritance. He won't be roped into saving a floundering girls' school, no matter what mathematics teacher Elizabeth Wells says. Luke is pure rancher, from the tip of his Stetson to the scuff on his boots, yet he's also becoming her unlikely ally. Only he can help save her job and school…but how much will she lose when the time comes for him to leave?
Journey of Hope by Debbie Kaufman (Love Inspired Historical). Escaping a society wedding, Annabelle Baldwin followed her heart to Liberia to pursue her calling as a missionary. But when an attempted kidnapping lands her under the protection of Stewart Hastings, Anna's journey takes a new turn. The wounded war veteran needs a guide through the jungle. It's a job the underfunded missionary can't refuse, despite the feelings Stewart stirs in her. When danger puts her life at risk, he realizes he cannot live without Anna. But what will it take for a man who has lost his faith to capture the heart of a woman who lives for hers?
Lone Wolf's Lady by Judy Duarte (Love Inspired Historical). Bounty hunter Tom McCain works alone. He couldn't save his childhood friend, but he'll deliver her six-year-old daughter to the only family she has left in Texas. But that means tangling with the schoolteacher who wants to adopt her. Katie O'Malley is determined to give Sarah Jane a fresh start and even the high-handed Mr. McCain can't stop her. But when a secret from Sarah Jane's past threatens the young girl's life, joining forces with Tom is Katie's only option. They'll need all their courage to turn a perilous future into a home, a family—and a dream come true.
Claiming the Cowboy's Heart by Linda Ford (Love Inspired Historical). After witnessing her fiancé's murder, Jayne Gardiner won't let herself be caught on the wrong side of a gun again. But a disastrous first lesson in self-defense has left her with a wounded cowboy. She insists on nursing the handsome stranger back to health—whether he wants it or not! Duty may call him home, but Seth can't resist lingering on Eden Valley Ranch to teach the English beauty to shoot. And when a shadowy figure from Jayne's past resurfaces, Seth's sudden urge to protect her has nothing to do with duty.
Frame-Up by Jill Nelson (Love Inspired Suspense). Stranded in a snowstorm, Laurel Adams must pin her hope of survival on a handsome stranger. The single mother and her teen daughter take refuge in his remote Rocky Mountain cabin. But Laurel's anything but safe when she discovers a dead body in her trunk…and becomes the prime suspect in a murder investigation. Her rescuer, millionaire David Greene, knows what it's like to be accused. Three years ago he was arrested for a crime he didn't commit—an unsolved case that still haunts him. With the clock ticking, can they stop a cold-blooded killer with deadly ties to them both?
Crossfire by Jodie Bailey (Love Inspired Suspense). After he couldn't save her brother, army first sergeant Josh Walker isn't about to let anything happen to Andrea Donovan. Josh may have saved her from one attack, but drug smugglers are desperate to get information about one of Andrea's patients—a patient who's disappeared without a trace. Despite the danger, the beautiful counselor refuses to hand over confidential files. Now Josh and Andrea have no choice but to battle on for their lives—and their love—or they'll be the latest casualty to get caught in the crossfire.
Race for the Gold by Dana Mentink (Love Inspired Suspense). Speed skater Laney Thompson still has nightmares about the car crash that almost shattered her lifelong dream. But as she's poised to compete in the world's most important games, she finds worse trouble. Someone wants her out of contention…badly. Laney won't let anything stop her—not sabotage, a stalker or partial amnesia. As she and her brooding trainer Max Blanco strive to overcome past tragedy, the ice between them starts to melt. But as the race draws closer, a killer becomes more desperate, and a race for the gold becomes a race for their lives!
Safe by the Marshal's Side by Shirlee McCoy (Love Inspired Suspense). For a year, U.S. marshal Hunter Davis has protected witness Annie Delacorte and her toddler daughter. But now, someone is determined to stop Annie from testifying against the men who killed her husband. To guard Annie, by-the-book Hunter will have to break a promise to himself: to not get emotionally involved. After all, he already cares more deeply than he ever imagined for the sweet family of two…a family he'll do anything to keep safe and sound by his side.
Homefront Dreams by Darlene Franklin (Heartsong Presents). As the newly elected mayor of Maple Notch, the war widow must lead her town through the dark days of World War II. But where she finds comfort in tradition, the town council insists on trying new ways of handling the homefront challenges. Her most untraditional opponent? Councilman Ralph Quincy. High school principal Ralph never expected to become a friend to Clarinda. But as she spars with him over the war effort, the smart, spirited mayor is the most compelling woman he's ever known. Can they put aside their differences and fight for both their town and a future together?
Love on the Slopes by Elizabeth Goddard (Heartsong Presents). But a serious injury ended her dreams of making the nation's top ski team. Now, with her handsome coach, Hudson Landers, at her side, Shannon hopes to compete again. But though she trusts Hudson's judgment, she wants to train harder. Hudson cares too much about Shannon to let her risk her life just for the sake of competition. He fears that one more fall could destroy her future and break her heart. Can Shannon and the disabled kids he coaches show him that falling down and getting back up again is what faith and love are all about?
Wedding at the Hacienda by Jean Kincaid (Heartsong Presents). She's determined to rescue the house and groves, full of childhood memories. But her best friend, Raoul Fuentes, has inherited the plantation, and she realizes this may be more difficult than she ever expected. Raoul wants to save the historic hacienda just as much as Adele. But he's not sure he has the money to restore it. When frost threatens the grapefruit crop, the two will have to work together or lose everything. Will the cold snap be the end for the farm, or the beginning of their future?
The Heiress's Courtship by Gina Welborn (Heartsong Presents). The Chicago heiress has shaken off the trappings of society—and the man who crushed her heart—to follow her artistic dreams. But when Gerrett Divine reappears in her life, she can't ignore the way she still feels about him. Architect Gerrett Divine IV has always been the dutiful son—that's why he plans to marry a woman he doesn't love. But when he meets Liberty again, that resolve is severely tested. Can he go through with an arranged marriage just to please his family, or will he choose the free-spirited woman who captivates him?
WOMEN'S FICTION
The following new releases were compiled for HEA by Angela Kay Austin, author of Sweet Victory. Her website is www.angelakayaustin.com.
Rome: A Marked Men Novel by Jay Crownover (William Morrow). Sometimes the wrong choice can be just right ... Fun and fearless, Cora Lewis knows how to keep her tattooed "bad boy" friends at the Marked in line. But beneath all that flash and sass is a broken heart. Cora won't let herself get burned again. She's waiting to fall in love with the perfect man—a baggage-free, drama-free guy ready for commitment. Then she meets Rome Archer. Rome Archer is as far from perfect as a man can be. He's stubborn, rigid, and bossy. And he's returned from his final tour of duty more than a little broken. Rome's used to filling many roles: big brother, doting son, supersoldier—but none of those fit anymore. Now he's just a man trying to figure out what to do with the rest of his life while keeping the dark demons of war and loss at bay.
Single by Saturday (Weekday Bride Series) by Catherine Bybee (Montlake Romance). Karen Jones: The petite blonde married a Hollywood star, yet she's the one who spends every day playing a part: the part of a happy wife. A year ago, she agreed to wed a famous actor to diffuse rumors about his personal life. Now, her divorce sits just around the corner, along with a five million dollar payout. However, as she prepares to exit her fake marriage gracefully, her drop-dead-gorgeous brother-in-law walks through the door…and into her heart. Zach Gardner: Dark-haired, blue-eyed hunk Zach crashes Michael and Karen's fancy one-year anniversary party, determined to meet the wife his brother hid from their family. But sparks fly the moment he and Karen see each other. When the famous couple decides to visit the whole Gardner clan, Karen must keep Michael's secret under wraps in front of his questioning relatives…including Zach, the man who could be the real love of her life.
Secrets She Left Behind by Diane Chamberlain (Gale Group). One afternoon, single mother Sara Weston says that she's going to the store—and never returns. In her absence, she leaves her teenage son alone with his damaged past and a legacy of secrets. Keith Weston nearly lost his life in an act of arson. He survived—but with devastating physical and emotional scars. Without his mother, he has no one to help him heal, no money, nothing to live for but the medications that numb his pain. Isolated and angry, his hatred has one tight focus: his half sister, Maggie Lockwood. Nineteen-year-old Maggie Lockwood spent a year in prison for the acts that led up to the fire. Now she's back home. But her release cannot free her from the burden of guilt she carries. She grew up with Keith Weston, played with him as a child and recently learned they share the same father. Now the person Keith despises most is the closest thing he has to family—until Sara returns. If Sara returns.
The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd (Viking Adult). Hetty "Handful" Grimke, an urban slave in early nineteenth century Charleston, yearns for life beyond the suffocating walls that enclose her within the wealthy Grimke household. The Grimke's daughter, Sarah, has known from an early age she is meant to do something large in the world, but she is hemmed in by the limits imposed on women. Kidd's sweeping novel is set in motion on Sarah's eleventh birthday, when she is given ownership of ten year old Handful, who is to be her handmaid. We follow their remarkable journeys over the next thirty five years, as both strive for a life of their own, dramatically shaping each other's destinies and forming a complex relationship marked by guilt, defiance, estrangement and the uneasy ways of love.
All Russians Love Birch Trees by Olga Grjasnowa (Other Press). Fluent in five languages and able to get by in several others, Masha lives with her boyfriend, Elias. Her best friends are Muslims struggling to obtain residence permits, and her parents rarely leave the house except to compare gas prices. Masha has nearly completed her studies to become an interpreter, when suddenly Elias is hospitalized after a serious soccer injury and dies, forcing her to question a past that has haunted her for years.
A Teaspoon of Earth and Sea: A Novel by Dina Nayeri (Penguin). Growing up in a small rice-farming village in 1980s Iran, eleven-year-old Saba Hafezi and her twin sister, Mahtab, are captivated by America. They keep lists of English words and collect illegal Life magazines, television shows, and rock music. So when her mother and sister disappear, leaving Saba and her father alone in Iran, Saba is certain that they have moved to America without her. But her parents have taught her that "all fate is written in the blood," and that twins will live the same life, even if separated by land and sea. As she grows up in the warmth and community of her local village, falls in and out of love, and struggles with the limited possibilities in post-revolutionary Iran, Saba envisions that there is another way for her story to unfold.
A Week in Winter by Maeve Binchy (Knopf Doubleday). Stoneybridge is a small town on the west coast of Ireland where all the families know each other. When Chicky Starr decides to take an old, decaying mansion set high on the cliffs overlooking the windswept Atlantic Ocean and turn it into a restful place for a holiday by the sea, everyone thinks she is crazy. Helped by Rigger (a bad boy turned good who is handy around the house) and Orla, her niece (a whiz at business), Stone House is finally ready to welcome its first guests to the big warm kitchen, log fires, and understated elegant bedrooms.
Here I Go Again: A Novel by Jen Lancaster (Penguin). Twenty years after ruling the halls of her suburban Chicago high school, Lissy Ryder doesn't understand why her glory days ended. Back then, she was worshipped beloved feared. Present day, not so much. She's been pink-slipped from her high-paying job, dumped by her husband, and kicked out of her condo. Now, at thirty-seven, she's struggling to start a business from her parents' garage and sleeping under the hair-band posters in her old bedroom. Lissy finally realizes karma is the only bitch bigger than she was. Her present is miserable because of her past. But it's not like she can go back in time and change who she was...or can she?
The Road to Cardinal Valley by Earlene Fowler (Penguin). Back in Cardinal, Ruby is hoping the place and people who gave her so much can give her brother, Nash—who's been drowning in drink in Nashville—the fresh start he so desperately needs. Saddlemaker Lucas McGavin is thrilled that Ruby is back. He hasn't given up on his love for her, despite the awkward fact that she's his brother's widow—and that this may be his last chance to win Ruby's heart. When Nash starts drinking again and has a devastating accident, Ruby seeks out their estranged mother to help with an intervention, not realizing that Etta Walker harbors a horrible secret that keeps her from reconnecting with the children she deserted so many years ago. As Ruby, Lucas, and Etta struggle with the present and confront the past, they each learn the power of forgiveness and reach for a new future filled with hope, grace, and love.
If you're an author who has an upcoming new romance, you can send information about the book (subgenre, title, author, publisher, release date, 75ish-word blurb) to happyeverafterusat@gmail.com. Please include "new release inspirational" (or whatever subgenre it is) in the subject line. HEA will do its darnedest to get your listing into a new releases post as close to your publication date as possible. All romances and subgenres are accepted, including self- and indie-pubbed.