Hi Reader Friends,
Lisa Wingate is one of my favorite authors and she released, Shelterwood, on June 4, 2024. Lisa is a master storyteller, a New York Times Best-Selling author, a Goodreads Choice Award Winner, and a Southern Book Prize winner. Lisa was an instructor at the first writers conference I attended years ago. Even thought she’s experienced tremendous success since I first met her, she’s still the same sweet, down-to-earth person. I was able to reconnect with her when she was on her Before We Were Yours book tour in 2017.
Shelterwood is a story that will touch your heart. It’s a dual timeline novel that bounces between 1910 and 1990, and was inspired by tragic real-life-events. Lisa’s curiosity was piqued when she ran across a 1909 newspaper article about elf children living in a hollow tree, who turned out to be land-rich orphans whose guardians were living in luxury. Had I not trusted the author, I’m not sure I would have finished the story due to my worry for the outcome of Ollie and Nessa. Ollie knows her stepfather has evil intentions toward Nessa, a young Chocktaw girl. Ollie thinks her stepfather has done something to Hazel, Nessa’s sister who mysteriously disappeared without a trace. Ollie and Nessa run away and have an adventure that would rival Tom Sawyer’s. As the travel, Ollie gathers other Choctaw orphans.
In the 1990 timeline, Valerie, a young widow and mother, joins the park ranger staff at Horsethief National Park in Oklahoma. When Valerie hears a rumor about the bones of children being discovered in a cave, she goes to see for herself and takes pictures. Then, park service staff secretly removes the bones without a proper investigation. Being the only female park ranger, Valerie faces discrimination and harassment. When she begins a search for a missing teen, she’s told to back off, but I admire Valerie’s courage as she does the right thing.
What I loved best about this book is how the author merges the two stories at the end. It’s worth reading and now I’m very interested in learning more about Oklahoma’s Kate Barnard, a woman elected to political office before women had the right to vote. She worked tirelessly to save and protect children. You should visits Lisa Wingate’s website to learn more.
I highly recommend Shelterwood. I’ve listed below other books released in June. If you enjoy historical westerns, I think you’ll enjoy Rocky Mountain Journey by Misty M. Beller and Toward the Dawn by Mary Connealy. Descriptions of these books included below.
Happy Reading!
Shelia
Petra: An Unbroken Legacy by Lisa L. Dorsey — Embark on a journey through time and faith. Witness as the survival of a family’s faith intertwines with pivotal moments in history to build a spiritual legacy anchored in God’s steadfast Love, timeless Word, and infinite Wisdom. (Biblical Adventure from hope*books)
The Triplets’ Summer Adventure by Laurel M. Blount — Back home for the summer, adventure-seeking Nick Marshall thinks his park ranger gig will be easy—until the children’s camp he’s overseeing is left without a cook. Desperate to fill the position, he offers his high school nemesis, Cara Andrews, the job. As the two work together, Nick can’t help but fall for the single mom and her triplet sons. But convincing her to take a chance on him might be Nick’s toughest challenge yet… (Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Mary’s Calico Hope by Anne Blackburne — Mary finds courage to face her fears about pursuing further treatment for serious injuries sustained as a child, and she and Reuben find a way to be together, with God’s help. (Contemporary Romance from Barbour Publishing)
Love’s True Home by Lori DeJong — Born and raised on the foreign mission field, all Allyson Kincaid wants is home and hearth on American soil. Too bad the first guy who’s made her pulse skip dreams of a life spent in foreign missions. Although she supports him in his calling, knows his choice means she’ll be laying more broken dreams, and a newly shattered heart, at the feet of Jesus. When Zane Carpenter relocates to Arlington, Texas, his seventh move in thirteen years, his only thought is to meet his obligation with Becker Ministries in a few months then take a foreign mission assignment. But working so closely with Ally in student ministry has him feeling things he’s never experienced. He’s ready for a future with her, until he accepts an opportunity to work on foreign soil and Ally stays behind. He knows God put him at the mission for a reason, although his heart still longs for the girl back home. (Contemporary Romance from Scrivenings Press)
When the Ocean Roars by Charlsie Estess — Weeks before the Ultimate Fighting World Championship, Keane “The Golden Lion” Temple lands in Japan for the battle of his professional life, primed to take the win. But when his path collides with an intriguing woman, he gives in to impulse and asks her to spend his day off from training with him. Ami Ono cannot pass on the invitation but also hides her full identity. As their extraordinary day bleeds into night, both realize one day won’t be enough. Then the excursion ends in disaster when Keane discovers who Ami is. They part ways, but compelling circumstances and an undeniable attraction draw them back together. As the forbidden romance threatens to take down his principles, he struggles to honor his beliefs. Will The Golden Lion surrender his heart? Will Ami defy the domineering men in her life and accept it? Do they stand a chance against nature? (Contemporary Romance from Iron Stream Media)
A Midsummer Romance by Alyssa Schwarz — The meddling mothers of Wild Rose Ridge will do anything to match up friends Caleb Weaver and Jessica Daniels. Real life begins to mirror Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream a little too much when they are strategically cast as the main couple in the town’s summer play. Will the course of true love end in tragedy? With a touch of summer magic, anything can happen. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published [ACFW QIP])
Cole and Laila Are Just Friends by Bethany Turner — Cole and Laila have been inseparable since they could crawl. And they’ve never thought about each other that way. Except for when they have. Rarely. Once in a while, sure. But seriously . . . hardly ever. If When Harry Met Sally had a quippy literary love child with Gilmore Girls’ Luke and Lorelai, you’d get Cole and Laila. Just . . . don’t tell them that. (Contemporary Romance from Thomas Nelson Fiction [Harper Collins])
Western:
Toward the Dawn by Mary Connealy — Two people marry for convenience then strike out to find happiness…and find danger instead. Together, they must confront the perils from their pasts to forge a future with hope and the promise of love. (Western from Bethany House [Baker Publishing Group])
Historical Romance:
Rocky Mountain Journey by Misty M Beller — To fulfill a dying wish, Faith Collins masquerades as a man to find the woman who once saved her father’s life. On her journey through the Rockies, she teams up with a man in search of his brother, and together they must navigate the treacherous terrain while keeping Faith’s identity a secret and their growing affection at bay. (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker] Publishing)
When Plans Go Awry by Denise M Colby Olivia Carmichael escapes her past to be the next schoolmarm in a small ranching community in California. Her plan? Live a quiet spinster life, alone, never to depend on anyone ever again. Luke Taylor selected a mail-order bride, a necessity to help raise his two younger sisters, and the only way he knew to protect his heart. His plans don’t include being responsible for the beautiful new schoolmarm, who threatens his resolve between his need to stay away and his need to be near to make sure she stays safe. Along the way, neither feel much in control of their circumstances. Olivia’s carefully laid-out plans are challenged at every turn. Luke’s mail-order bride is not what he expected. Will Luke and Olivia learn to trust God’s plan for their lives? (Historical Romance from Scrivenings Press)
Dreams on the Horizon by Penny Zeller — Mae Shepherdson’s dream of a school for the deaf has finally come to fruition. All is going well until she receives devastating news: the railroad wants to build a spur through the property where the Horizon School for the Deaf is located. Landon Bennick is accustomed to obeying his father’s orders and has assisted with the building of many railroad spurs, and the newest in Horizon should be no exception. However, things grow complicated when he falls in love with Mae, a soft-spoken teacher at the Horizon School for the Deaf—the same school blocking the railroad’s progress. When nefarious characters bent on seeing the railroad project succeed begin to threaten innocent lives, will Landon intervene and save the woman who has claimed his heart? (Historical Romance from Maplebrook Publishing)
Hidden in the Night by Elizabeth Goddard — At the behest of her ailing mother, former FBI special agent Ivy Elliott arrives in Alaska to secure an unpublished Jack London manuscript kept secreted away for decades. But when she arrives, she learns the manuscript is gone–taken by the granddaughter of the woman who possessed it. Ivy sets off in pursuit, not just to save the manuscript but to save the vulnerable girl, who was previously trafficked and has no idea what she’s getting herself into. Joining forces with Alaska State Trooper Nolan Long, Ivy must battle a blizzard, sabotage, and the worst of an Alaskan winter as the search goes on. But every answer they find only raises more questions–and the danger to their lives and to the missing girl may only be the tip of the iceberg. (Romantic Suspense from Revell)
Suspicious Homicide by Elizabeth Goddard — When Finnley Wilbanks is run off a mountainside road, it confirms her worst fears—her father was murdered. With her life hanging in the balance, she turns to bodyguard and investigator Caine Honor for protection. As they work together to solve the mystery behind her father’s death, danger stalks their every move. And keeping Finnley alive long enough to find answers might be Caine’s hardest mission yet. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Celebrity Pastor by Creston Mapes — Pastor Neil Gentry embarked on his ministry with genuine intentions, unwavering passion, and undeniable charisma. As his influence grew, so did his fame. Vine & Branches Church became one of the fastest growing in the world. Soon, Pastor Gentry and his wife Becky resembled royalty, enjoying fame and power—and basking in the adoration of their devoted followers. Beneath the glitz and glamor, however, whispers of misconduct began to surface. As the allure of popularity and power consume the Gentrys, they find themselves plummeting into the abyss of moral compromise. With the weight of their actions threatening to shatter everything they’ve built, one dire question remains: can anything or anyone break the spell before the unthinkable happens? (Suspense from Rooftop Press)
Colorado Mountain Kidnapping by Cate Nolan — A cryptic phone call sends Isabelle Weaver running from armed intruders—with her daughter and best friend’s baby under her care. Nowhere is safe and no one can be trusted…except former army ranger Adam Dalton. Together, they must uncover a kidnapper’s motives while protecting the children. But as danger tracks them through the mountains, can they outwit a criminal mastermind before they all lose their lives? (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Children’s Picture Books:
Would You Rather: Bible Water Adventures by Jerah Alvarado — Would you rather cruise on Noah’s Ark with stinky animals? Or would you rather be in a huge storm with Jesus asleep in your boat? Choose from fourteen different Bible water adventures the one you would rather experience! (Children’s Picture Books from Mt Zion Ridge Press)
Plus check out these recent additions to Fiction Finder published within the past month:
The Filbert Ridge Miracle by Tamelia Aday — It was October 7, 1967. The festival in Filbert Ridge, Oregon came early. Town history and the lives of its citizens changed forever. That was the day little Stephen McMillan disappeared. (Literary Contemporary)
The Elder by Roger E Bruner — How can an elderly man regain his sense of worth once his one big success fades and God doesn’t seem to have other plans for him? (Contemporary General)
Bright Lights by Lisa Phillips, Rebecca Reed, Gina Conroy and Andrea Christenson — Four Christian Fiction Romance novels
from Christian fiction’s hottest contemporary romance authors. (Contemporary Romance)
Visible by Darlene M. Corbett — Rachel Karem, a 55-year-old widowed therapist, runs a group for five “stuck” professionals, and along the way, she explores obstacles interfering in life’s journey, ventures out to a Tango Dance Studio, and encounters an older, attractive gentleman. (Contemporary Romance)
Flat Deception by Paige Edwards — Falsely accused of equine doping, Lady Sophie Henderson must prove her innocence. In a world where people are willing to do anything to win, it’s impossible to know who to trust. (Romantic Suspense)
Justice Delayed by Sarah Hamaker — After serving her time, a convicted murderer tries to clear her name with the help of a washed-up investigative reporter. (Romantic Suspense)
Billionaire Sheriff on the Move by Bonita Y. McCoy — Bernadette has known Wade for years. Shoot, he even saved her life, once. So, when Wade moves back to town and wants more than just a simple friendship, Bernadette must face a new decision and an old fear. Can she overcome her past and open her heart to a new kind of love? (Contemporary Romance)
Disappearance in Pinecraft by Lenora Worth — Her sister has disappeared…and now her life is on the line. (Amish Romance)
