What About the Song? by Rebecca Reed — What About the Song? is a kisses-only, faith-forward, contemporary Christian romance set in Nashville, perfect for readers who love equine therapy, wounded-hero, and music-driven slow-burn love stories. (Contemporary Romance from Moonsong Publishing)

Her Reluctant Amish Heart by Pamela Desmond Wright — When a reckless street race injures her brother, Anika Glick wants nothing to do with the man responsible—especially when he’s sentenced to help her family. But Elam Muller is desperate to prove he’s changed. As they work together on her family farm, Anika finds herself drawn to Elam’s remorse and kindness. But when they’re presented with one last risky race that could secure their future or destroy it all, everything they’ve built is put to the test. Will their growing love survive the pull of the past—or will it all come crashing down? (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Sibella’s Stand by Naomi Musch — A woman on the New York frontier, whose husband has gone to fight, must use her wits to protect herself and a young girl when enemy forces arrive at her door. (General Historical, Independently Published)

A Contrary Betrothal by Denise Farnsworth — A Cherokee lieutenant, a colonel’s daughter, and a desperate fight to protect both land and love. (Formerly published as Bent Tree Bride). (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)

The Darling’s Daughter by Sydney Schmied — In 1912, Chillicothe, Ohio, a painter lands a job at a local theater in hopes of discovering the truth behind her stage actress mother’s murder, while enlisting the help of an architect battling his own secrets. (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)

The Heiress and the Woodsman by Christine Hill Suntz — She’s a city-bred heiress chasing a brother in trouble. He’s a rugged settler with everything to lose. What begins as a desperate bargain becomes a journey of hope, healing, and a love neither saw coming. (Historical Romance from Tyndale House)

Stars and Stripes for Freedom by Delores Topliff, Jennie Atkins, Ellen E. Withers, Shirley Gould, and Cindy Bonds — With admiration for the women in all five branches of our military, these high action stories present five intelligent seasoned warriors who risk everything to protect the land of the free and the home of the brave. (Military Action/Adventure from TrueNorth Publishing)

Mad Dog by Sara Davison — Nothing was worth what it had cost him to walk away. In the next eight seconds, he will achieve everything he ever thought he wanted. Or he will die. (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published)

When the Silence Breaks by Elizabeth Goddard — A deathbed confession. A decades-old secret. A mountain that holds the answers–and danger closing in. (Romantic Suspense from Revell [Baker Publishing Group])

The Last Noel by Sarah Hamaker, Kimberley Woodhouse, and Jayna Breigh — The Last Noel is a riveting Christmas novella collection with suspense, intrigue, and second-chance romance. The stories are “Do you see What I see?,” (Hamaker) “Do You Hear What I Hear?” (Breigh) and “Do You Know What I Know?” (Woodhouse). (Romantic Suspense Novella Collection from Kregel Publications)

Jezebel’s Children by Lynne Basham Tagawa — Historian Geneva Fielding and physicist Peter Donatelli travel back in time to document the trial of Anne Hutchinson, but they find themselves caught in a web of politics, doctrinal disputes, and colonial intrigue. A dystopian time travel story where faith, gentle romance, and even humor overwhelm the dark elements. (Speculative/Time Travel from Blue Rock Press)

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

Disguised Love by Marie E. Bast — Disguised Love: An Inspirational Victorian-Era Sweet Marriage of Convenience Romance Set on the Western Frontier During the Cholera Epidemic. (Historical Romance)

The Robber and the Witness by Danielle Grandinetti — Wisconsin, 1931—When Gideon Lundgren agrees to escort his best friend’s sister to Manitowish Waters, plans go awry when she witnesses a robbery. (Historical Romance)

Passionate Pursuit by Pamela Jo Harstad — Difficult backgrounds in the midst of threatening life challenges make having a relationship and safety almost impossible. (Romantic Suspense)

Sweet Dare by Sally Jo Pitts — A research biologist and curious youngsters are accused of unleashing a curse when a honeymooning couple is unearthed in an Indian burial mound. (Romantic Suspense)

Sunset Pointe: The Baby Between Us by Brenda Poulos — On the day before her Senior Prom, Karla finds out that her boyfriend, Jonathan, has fathered a baby with her best friend, Missy. (General Contemporary)

Ribbons of Guilt by Laura Thomas — In the charming English village of Bramble Downs, threads of betrayal unravel the sickening truth as a ballerina’s family is stalked by a delusional murderer… (Romantic Suspense)

Who’s ready for all the “back to school” fun? It’s that time of year once again – notebooks, backpacks, pencil boxes, crayons, glue sticks and much, much more! Hope you’ll also take this exciting time to talk to your younger students about all the fun things they’ll be doing over the next several months… including their first fieldtrip of the year!

Young scholars may feel a bit apprehensive about the first field trip. Maybe it’s the bus ride? The packed lunch? The new place? Whatever the reasons, their feelings are real to them so addressing them ahead of time may satisfy any potential anxiety they feel and their curiosity for the 5Ws and an H (who, what, when, where, why and how) when it comes to an off campus learning opportunity.

To help you navigate these potential questions and concerns, consider sharing Fraidy Brady and the First Field Trip, an early chapter book for any student who needs some social encouragement and is having to face their fears about the unknown. In this early chapter book, Fraidy Brady is downright scared! He’s worked himself into a tizzy over the thought of going on this, the first field trip of the school year! He doesn’t think he will enjoy the class trip to the Fancy Feline History Museum. Nope… not one bit! There are just too many unknown variables for him like the sights and sounds, the enormous building, and the thought of being around people he absolutely does not know. But once he’s there, Fraidy Brady realizes that there is nothing to be afraid of after all and learns important tips about following directions and stranger safety. In fact, Brady enjoys learning this practical safety information and ends up leading the class to prepare for their very first Safety Day! Not only does Fraidy Brady come face to face with his fears, but he also conquers them and begins to explore all the possibilities of this big, wide world.

So, as you plan and prepare for the wonderful school year ahead, grab your young youngster(s) a copy of Fraidy Brady and the First Field Trip. Perhaps you can grab one for an educator, as well. Imagine how fun and helpful it might be for teachers to use this as a read-aloud leading up to their first field trip day.

As important as the packs of paper, the folders, and even the composition notebooks, is the mental health and well-being of our children. Let’s do all we can to help prepare them for new opportunities and the unexpected. Fraidy Brady and the First Field Trip is a “must have” for young students and Pre-K to 1^st grade educators. Consider putting a copy or two in your supply bundle this school year!

Don’t have young children of your own, but feel like the information would be beneficial for children in your community? Consider purchasing a copy for the closest Little Lending Library, local book nook, etc.

You can find this early chapter book on Amazon, Cokesbury, and Walmart websites. To purchase autographed and/or personalized copies (Personalized copies make great educator and media specialist gifts!) contact the author directly.

To learn more about Maria and/or the Fraidy Brady series, please email Maria at mjbostian@gmail.com.

BIO:

Maria Bostian is a North Carolina Fire & Life Safety Educator and a certified Montessori teacher with over 30 years of experience with young children. She is the author of six injury prevention and community helper books including Fraidy Brady and the First Field Trip.

She is an active member of many risk reduction and public education organizations. Bostian provides life safety training and conducts workshops on injury prevention, writing, and literacy across the country.

When she’s not reading or writing, she can be found thrifting for interesting children’s books or filling little ending libraries all over town.

Her favorite things are crashing waves, warm skies above, and busy communities filled with safe and happy children.

www.mariabostian.com

https://www.facebook.com/MJBostian

mjbostian@gmail.com

Canthany Rising – New Entry into the Growing LitRPG Genre

The Literary Role-Playing Game genre, known as LitRPG, is a growing genre due to the many tabletop and online RPG systems existing today. My new book, Canthany Rising – A Christian LitRPG Adventure, is such a novelette which takes a new approach to the genre by scrapping many of the core tropes. Gone are the overpowered characters, cheat codes and “Munchkining.” The characters must learn how health points, skills, weapons, creation-magic and psionic systems work in this new world in order to survive. Actions have consequences. Death is real, and so is God.

Canthany Rising is also unusual in that it starts at the beginning, as in the Garden of Eden. Instead of humans being transported to the gaming world, seven animals are sent by God, who they call the Three-Who-Are-One, to the world of Canthany where they are transformed into humanoid forms. Unfortunately, a fallen angel, named Ashtoreth, follows them with the intent of enslaving them. God doesn’t leave them defenseless, though, He sends a pair of time-traveling servants to aid them.

Even with their help, surviving Day One will be a challenge.

Canthany Rising came about as part of a plan for a larger, connected universe. While adventures take place in Canthany, a set of science-fiction adventures take place on Earth in the near-future starting with my other novelette, The Accident. Psionics (telepathy, telekinetics), faith, angels and devils are the common components in both worlds.

In the larger universe, the two will eventually meet. This leaves Canthany with thousands of years in which it can host an array of genres, including western, steampunk, modern day and science-fiction. The only hindrance to writing them is time.

There is a dearth of books on the market which can claim to be clean, Christian and written for TTRPG or MMORPG gamers. Rising hopes to break through with its fresh take on the genre. Rising is intended to reach the Christian gamer audience looking for fun, action-filled stories with heart, morals, and faith. No profanity. No sex. Action/battle scenes will be prevalent, but they won’t be graphic in nature. These stories would be fit for teen readers and up. Church youth groups will love these stories.

Canthany Rising is one of three planned novelette-to-novella sized stories with the same core characters as they learn how to live in the world and systems. These, along with a planned novelette trilogy in the other world, will be released over the next two years.

Canthany Rising and The Accident are currently available on Amazon. If interested in either book, sign up for newsletters on my website and you will receive the first two chapter of both books.

Website link: https://www.kebauthor.com

Amazon links: https://www.amazon.com/Canthany-Rising-Christian-LitRPG-Adventure-ebook/dp/B0GZ598XPX

Author Bio: Kenneth Bliss is an unabashed nerd, having read hundreds of sci-fi/fantasy books and played TTRPG and MMORPG games for decades. He turned his sights to the written word to express his love of God, sci-fi/fantasy and psionics. He lives near a small town in Michigan with his two cats.