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Christian Fiction January 2023 |
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| All the Lost Places by Amanda DykesWhat it is: a lyrical dual-timeline novel that takes place in a vividly depicted Venice in 1904 and the early 1800s.
What happens: Discovered floating in a basket in a canal, Sebastien Trovato is raised by Venetian guild members, but ponders his origins. Years later, San Francisco ex-con Daniel Goodman finds himself in the city searching for answers about a rare book connected to Sebastien.
Reviewers say: This latest from Christy Award winner Amanda Dykes is "magical" (Booklist) and "an epic tale of beauty and redemption" (Library Journal). |
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| Anything but Plain by Suzanne Woods FisherStarring: 19-year-old Amish bishop's daughter Lydie Stolzfus, who struggles with focusing on tasks and ponders leaving the community over it; Nathan Yoder, Lydie's neighbor who wants to court Lydie and farm using organic methods, though his dad disagrees with both ideas.
What it's about: Insecure Lydie takes a temp job working for a doctor, who realizes she has ADHD. Lydie learns techniques to help her symptoms, and wonders if there's a future for her and Nathan after all.
Why you might like it: Anything but Plain offers a sweet love story and "the nuanced treatment of Lydie's ADHD and crisis of faith brings depth to the narrative" (Publishers Weekly). |
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| The Blackout Book Club by Amy Lynn GreenDerby, Maine, 1942: Just before her librarian brother heads to war, newlywed Avis agrees to run their hometown library in his absence.
What happens: There's some opposition, so to prevent the library's closure, non-reader Avis starts a book club featuring current and classic books. The women members band together as the war hits close to home and their friendships are tested by secrets.
For fans of: leisurely paced bookish reads, stories about small-town friendships, and World War II historical novels centered on women's experiences. |
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The Orchard by Beverly LewisFor generations, Ellie Hostetler's family has tended their orchard, a tradition her twin brother, Evan, will someday continue. But when Evan is drafted for the Vietnam War, the family is shocked to learn he has not sought conscientious objector status. Can Ellie, with the support of a new beau, find the courage to face a future unlike the one she imagined? |
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| The Premonition at Withers Farm by Jaime Jo WrightRural Michigan, 1910: A serial killer is at work near the farm where healer Perliett Van Hilton and her spiritualist mother live. When Perliett is targeted, she finds unlikely help from a newcomer and Dr. Wasziak, who has always viewed her with suspicion.
The present day: Though her marriage is on the rocks, Molly Wasziak and her husband buy an abandoned old farmhouse. Weeks later a murder victim is found nearby, and Molly realizes her new home has a connection to the old killings.
Is it for you? This atmospheric, creepy tale has an intriguing mystery and well-drawn characters who draw on their faith in God. |
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Books You May Have Missed
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| The Lady of Galway Manor by Jennifer DeibelGalway, Ireland, 1920: Annabeth De Lacy, a wealthy British landlord's daughter, wants to learn something new. She becomes an apprentice to Irish jeweler Stephen Jennings, who's given up on love, despite the fact his ancestor created the famous Claddagh ring, symbol of love and loyalty.
What happens: Against the backdrop of the Irish War of Independence, the two spend time together, growing closer despite their differences.
For fans of: historical romances set in Ireland, like the author's debut novel, A Dance in Donegal, and Kristy Cambron's Castle on the Rise. |
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| The Winter Rose by Melanie Dobson1940s France and Oregon: American Quaker Grace Tonquin works in Vichy France to protect Jewish children from the Nazis. When she's forced to leave, she brings two children home with her, but it's difficult for everyone to return to normal after horrifying experiences.
2003 Oregon: Addie Hoult's elderly mentor Charlie Tonquin refuses to discuss his Tonquin family relatives, but Addie hopes to track them down since a bone marrow match might save Charlie's life. But why won't he talk about them...and can his past wounds be healed?
For fans of: evocative dual-timeline novels with multifaceted characters, such as those by Heidi Chiavaroli, Amanda Dykes, and Kristy Cambron. |
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| Life Flight by Lynette EasonStarring: EMS helicopter pilot Penny Carlton, who works near Asheville, NC, and the guy she's sort of dating, FBI Special Agent Holton Satterfield.
Bad to worse: A storm forces Penny to do an emergency landing with a critically injured teen and two medics on board. Meanwhile, a creepy serial killer Holt once put away has escaped and is in the same area.
Series alert: This adrenaline-filled 1st in the Extreme Measures romantic suspense series is followed by Crossfire; the 3rd entry, Critical Threat, is out this month. |
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| Harvest Moon by Denise HunterLife-changing events: When friends die in an accident and leave behind a young daughter, a divorced couple move in together to care for the girl and end up realizing they still love each other.
Why you might like it: This heartwarming story takes place across three different time periods: present day, the period when the couple's marriage was ending, and when they were high school sweethearts.
Series alert: Part of the Riverbend Romance series that centers around a small town along the Appalachian Trail, this heartwarming 3rd novel can, like the previous entries, be enjoyed on its own. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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