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Christian Fiction January 2020
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| Smoke Screen by Terri BlackstockStarring: recently divorced Brenna, who's in an ugly custody battle with her wealthy ex and has turned to alcohol to cope; her high school sweetheart, injured fire jumper Nate, who's come home to recover.
What it's about: Nate's dad went to prison for murdering Brenna's pastor father 14 years ago. Now, Nate's dad has been pardoned, shocking Brenna's family. As Nate tries to help Brenna keep her kids, he also reluctantly works with his dad, who wants to prove he's innocent.
For fans of: twisty romantic suspense stories, realistically flawed characters, and novels with themes of grace and redemption. |
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| Synapse by Steven JamesWhat it is: a taut, thought-provoking science fiction thriller set 30 years from now that examines salvation and what it means to be human.
What it's about: Already distraught by the death of her newborn, Cincinnati pastor Kestrel Hathaway witnesses Purist terrorists attacking her brother's company, which creates the incredibly life-like cognizant robots called Artificials.
What happens next: Pulled into a world of conspiracies and lies, Kestrel teams with Jordan, the Artificial gifted to her by her brother, and counterterrorism agent Nick Vernon to prevent another attack. |
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| A Distance Too Grand by Regina Scott1871 Arizona Territory: After her photographer father's death, strong-willed Meg Pero escapes her staid aunt's home in the east to take his place as part of a U.S. Army survey of the Grand Canyon.
What happens: Meg finds the crew is led by the man she once loved, Captain Ben Coleridge, and that he has a secondary motive for the journey -- locating his own father, who went missing months ago.
Why you might like it: This evocative 1st entry in the American Wonders Collection has a charming second-chance romance, a bit of suspense, and offers a glimpse at photographic technology of the time. |
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Books You May Have Missed
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| Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti CallahanWhat happens: Joy Davidman, an atheist, writer, and housewife with two small children and an unfaithful alcoholic husband in 1940s New York, reaches rock bottom and prays. Wanting to know more about God, she writes to Christian apologist C.S. Lewis, beginning years of correspondence that eventually leads to love and marriage.
For fans of: C.S. Lewis; touching, thoughtful historical fiction.
Awards buzz: Written from Joy's point of view, this lyrical novel won two 2019 Christy Awards, for Historical Romance and Book of the Year. |
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| The Persian Gamble by Joel C. RosenbergWhat it's about: Former U.S. Secret Service agent Marcus Ryker forms a precarious alliance with a Russian double agent -- who happens to be the son-in-law of Russia's president -- to halt a world-threatening nuclear war involving enemy nations Russia, North Korea, and Iran.
Series alert: This 2nd in the Marcus Ryker trilogy after The Kremlin Conspiracy will be followed by The Jerusalem Assassin in March.
Who it's for: those who enjoy fast-paced political thrillers with an evangelical Christian worldview. |
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| A Silken Thread by Kim Vogel SawyerFeaturing: Laurel, a naive 18-year-old who longs for her own family but is committed to helping her aging mother; Langdon, a spoiled playboy; Willie, a night watchman with an ill father, who falls for Laurel; Quincy, a groundskeeper, the son of a former slave, and Willie's friend.
What happens: Laurel works at a silk loom at the 1895 Atlanta Cotton States and International Exposition where she meets the others and is courted by Langdon, who's using her to secure his inheritance.
Why you might like it: This moving novel thoughtfully addresses racism and social class disparities. |
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A Beauty So Rare: A Belmont Mansion Novel
by Tamera Alexander
Historical Romance: Twenty-six-year-old spinster Eleanor Braddock believes herself too tall and too plain to ever marry, so she finds another purpose for her life.
The Premise: While volunteering during the recently ended Civil War, she saw many young men die, leaving behind wives and children. After moving in with her wealthy aunt (the richest woman in America), Eleanor convinces her to finance a home for Civil War widows and orphans. Developing a friendship with the Austrian architect her aunt hires, Eleanor wonders if God doesn't have other plans for her after all.
Series Alert: This 2nd in the Belmont Mansion series is a "sweeping Southern romance that is engaging and full of hope" (Library Journal).
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Contact your librarian for a personalized reading list of more great books! |
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New Hanover County Library
201 Chestnut Street Wilmington, North Carolina 28401 910-798-6301 www.nhclibrary.org |
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