Annie's Faith

By Lilly Linville
Inspirational Romance, 314 pages
Cover art by Trisha FitzGerald

Blurb: Annie sits at her piano, hoping the music will ease the tension from her earlier discussion with her husband. She’d only reminded him that the electric bill was past due. Never expecting his reaction to be so angry as he yelled and cursed and stomped out the door.
Excerpt:
One
1980
Annaleah Preston cringed when the back door slammed. She’d only mentioned to John that the electric company called again reminding her that their bill was overdue.

She could still hear her husband’s angry voice, “Dammit, Annie, it’ll have to wait. I don’t get paid until Friday and my paycheck will only go so far.” Before leaving, he’d also informed her he didn’t know when he’d be home after work.

Close to tears from John’s harsh, hateful words, Annie was relieved that Rafe had offered to drop his sister Leah off at school on his way to work. Thankfully they’d left while John was still in the shower and before their discussion.

Annie sat at her piano and placed her shaking fingers on the keys, hoping the music would ease the anxiety coursing through her body. Almost without thinking, she began to play DeBussy’s, Clair de Lune.

The old piano remained her most prized possession; a gift from her parents on her tenth birthday. The music began to work its magic as she closed her eyes and allowed the tension in her shoulders to relax.

Later she decided to make her children their favorite meal for supper and checked to make sure she had the ingredients for a butterscotch pie.

John’s behavior wore deeply on her mind and heart throughout the day. He seemed to be in a bad mood most of the time and after many attempts to talk with him, she’d learned it was best to stay out of his way. His sense of humor and the relationship they once shared were the things she missed the most. It felt as if he had walked out one day and a stranger returned. Annie hated to admit she was glad to see him leave in the morning and dreaded him coming home.

~ * ~

When Annie heard the door open, she glanced at the wall clock hanging over the refrigerator and it surprised her to see it was time for Leah to come in from school.

“Hi Mom, do I smell butterscotch pie?”

“You might.” Annie opened the oven door. “It’s ready to come out.”

“What’s the occasion?” Leah took off her coat and sat it on top of her books.

“I decided to make you and your brother’s favorite meal.”

Leah lifted the lids off each pot on the stove, “Country style steak, mashed potatoes and green beans. Rafe better be on time, or there might not be anything left.”

“I think there will be plenty, but you can afford to eat as much as you like; you’re slim as a reed.”

“Luckily, I take after my mom.” Leah gave Annie a quick hug. “If it’s okay, I’ll get my homework assignments done.”

“Sure honey, Rafe won’t be home for at least an hour. Why don’t you sit at the table? I’d like your company.”

After Leah completed her school work and took her books to her room, she returned to the den and sat beside Annie on the piano bench. “Let’s play a duet; you start and I’ll join in. I’ll never be as good as you or Rafe, but I’m glad you taught me to play and read music.”

Whisper of the Ozarks

By Ed Koonce
Inspirational Romance, 235 pages
Cover art by Richard Stroud

After attaining wealth in Wichita, Kansas, Ann Crowley is drawn back to the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas to find something that's missing, and finds a love that she thought was lost forever, as well as her childhood faith.

Excerpt:

As she emerged from the trees and found herself once again in that hallowed place, she stopped abruptly as she saw-sitting in the spot that she had called her own-a young girl watching a doe feeding across the valley. The girl, unaware of her presence, gazed dreamily out over the valley, which was somewhat obscured by a low-lying fog. Two red-tailed hawks circled lazily above the trees, watching for unwary rodents that would become their breakfast. The older woman stood still, not wanting to intrude on the child's solitude. As her eyes wandered over the familiar scene, unexpected warmth flowed through her body. How this place could bring anything but sadness, she didn't know. Had she not longed to flee from this area as soon as she could? The poverty and hunger brought about by the Great Depression of the 1930s had made little difference here; poverty had always been a way of life in these hills as those who lived here tilled the thin stony soil trying to make a life from the stubborn grudging earth.

Her eyes returned to the young girl, who appeared to be about twelve or thirteen years old, sitting in the spot where she herself had spent many lonely hours. The girl swayed gently to music coming from a small radio sitting beside her. She recognized the popular new song: "Just the Way You Are" by Billy Joel. The pink silk sleeveless blouse she wore was tucked neatly into the waist of her designer jeans, and expensive-looking walking shoes adorned her feet. Her light brown hair was neatly trimmed mid-way down her back. Although the girl reminded Ann Crowley of herself at that age, this girl's attire was far different from that of the girl who had sat there years before.

For just a moment she thought about revealing her presence and becoming acquainted with the child, but decided to leave her to enjoy her solitude. However, as she turned to go, a rock dislodged by her heel tumbled down the path and bounced over the ledge next to the girl, startling her and causing her to turn around to see what had made the rock fall. As their eyes met, the older woman was surprised to see a striking resemblance to herself at that young age: deep brown eyes, dark eyebrows, high cheekbones and a petite turned-up nose. Maybe it was her imagination, or perhaps the forgetfulness that comes with age. At any rate, there was no longer the option of leaving without making her presence known, so she smiled a greeting.

"Hello child. My name is Ann Crowley; what's your name?"

For a moment the girl was too startled to speak, but soon found her voice.

"My...my name's Whisper Dawn Randall. I didn't hear you coming. Do you live around here?"

Ann hoped the little girl hadn't seen the startled look on her face at hearing the name, Whisper. "I live in Wichita, Kansas, but I used to live here. I'm sorry; I didn't mean to disturb you."

"Oh, that's okay. You used to live here?"

"Well, to be exact, right over there." Ann pointed to a small clearing on the hillside to the left. "My father built a small log cabin there, but it's gone now."

"Was that a long time ago?"

"Yes, it was during the Great Depression, although I never could figure out why they called it 'great'; it was anything but great!"

Montana Man

By T. D. Courtland

Inspirational Romance, 245 pages

Cover art by Pat Evans

Blurb: Casting a shy smile in her direction he confessed, “Well it wasn’t the Smurfs, believe me.”

He noted the firm line of her mouth combined with the resolute glint in her eyes as she asked, “I’m not going to find any pictures of me for sale on the net am I?”

Excerpt: Rolling down the window of the black Ranger pickup, Angel inhaled the warm spring air. She had slipped out the back entrance of Travis’s estate mere minutes ago and for the first time since she had met Adam, she was actually driving by herself! It felt wonderful to be able to be behind the wheel of a pickup again. She remembered driving the one on the ranch back in New Mexico. In fact she had taken her driver’s test in it at only sixteen!

She checked the traffic, and turned into the long graveled drive to the stables where she and Adam kept their horses. She hated doing this, but she desperately needed some time alone, and having it on the back of her new mount was just what the doctor ordered. She needed to step away from the confines of the Austin family, and just be herself. Adam would understand; after all she had left him a note in the guest house.

Parking the pickup by the main office under the shade of a big oak tree, she slipped the keys into her pants pocket before strolling across the well-manicured lawn towards the stables. She smiled to herself, admitting that Sunshine’s Reflection, or—as she called her, ‘Sunny,’ was the most special gift anyone could have given her. The spirited filly was both skilled and intelligent, a beautiful combination in a horse. A ride on her would help her focus on the challenges that lay before her, with planning this wedding. Not to mention giving her a much-needed breather from other people for a while.

~ * ~

Cold dark eyes silently observed the unsuspecting young woman as she made her way across the lawn. It hadn’t been hard to find her at all; one just had to use the Internet to look up her boyfriend’s family name and it was all there. He had planned this carefully, leaving Washington by train, changing flights twice before landing in Dallas, then using a false ID to rent the plain white cargo van. He waited until she entered one of the stables. The instant she was out of sight, he placed the van in gear. He drove the rented vehicle around behind the long structure. It would now be out of sight of the office and staff. Things were going as he had planned. Her father would rue the day he had fired him. Before he was done, his precious daughter would be out of the country and in the hands of one of the most dreaded drug cartels in Central America. He would bring the President to his knees!

~ * ~

Sunny poked her head out of the stall and whinnied in welcome as Angel neared the closed door. The blond woman couldn’t help but chuckle. “So you missed me, huh? It’s not like I spoiled you all last week, out riding you every day with the kids, now was it?” The filly tossed her head as Angel laughed. “You realize that I’m going to be in trouble for sneaking out like this. Shadow will probably rat me out big time.”

As she had been talking, she’d opened the stall door and moved into the straw-strewn enclosure. She found the curry comb and with a soft smile she started working it over the filly’s flanks. She loved this! Sunny stood still as she enjoyed the undivided attention from her owner. It seemed as if the two of them had stepped into a world of their own. Angel never even heard the stealthy footsteps behind her ‘til one arm encircled her neck. She had no time to scream. The hand covered her mouth and nose with the cloth soaked in chloroform. She fought frantically, only to find her body refusing to obey her. She went limp as her vision blurred and went dark. Her last conscious thought—why did I risk everything for a mere horse?

Run In With the Law by T. D. Courtland

Inspirational Romance, 206 pages, ebook & print
Cover art by Richard Stroud


Purchase link for Run In With the Law

Travis Austin was a man used to keeping things straight forward and simple. In his world he had the money and power to make things happen with a mere phone call or a spoken word. He ran his world of five star hotels with an iron fist and his reputation was all but legendary. But that was his public image; not the real man.
In actuality he struggled from day to day keeping up the façade but inside he was lonely and hurting from the loss of his wife and daughter taken from him on nine eleven. He had no idea that a mere phone call was going to change all that. Going through the loss of his mother would open a door that would show him a different path. A path filled with unexpected love and compassion from a most unexpected source, the woman that wrote him a speeding citation!

Excerpt:
He slipped off his muddy shoes and padded in his stocking feet across the parlor into the main entryway. With weary yet purposeful strides, he moved down the hallway toward the kitchen only to halt in mid-step as he discovered the door to his den partly open.

Through it he could see the light of the flames from his gas fireplace flickering on the dark walnut paneling. Cautiously he moved to the door and with his fingertips eased it silently open on its well-oiled hinges. The fire blazed brightly in the hearth, casting flickering shadows around the otherwise dark room.

Travis frowned pondering who might have been here and why the gas fireplace was lit. He knew he had shut off everything before he left Sunday night. Had Mac brought his Marine pilot friend here for a quiet romantic interlude or something? His stocking clad feet carried him across the polished hardwood floor to stand by the hearth where he reached down to shut off the gas valve.

Out of the corner of his eye, he discovered a solitary female figure curled up on the overstuffed sofa wrapped in the afghan that was usually draped over the back of the piece.

'Till Death Do Us Part: Annie

By Andi Pray, Inspirational Romantic Suspense, 409 pages, ebook & print
Cover art by Angie Corliss
Purchase link for 'Till Death Do Us Part

Kidnapping, fraud, and removing evidence from a crime scene are all federal offenses, but Cody Damez will stop at nothing to know the truth locked inside the mind of his Little Orphan Annie.
Annie wakes up in a hospital with no memory, identification, or anywhere to go. She sis told she is married to one man, but her nightmares haunt her another.
Lives will be in danger when the truth comes out.

Excerpt:
Harsh pounding came to the door. "Margaret, get out here right now! I know you're in there! You can't hide!"

Maggie started to hyperventilate as a string of foul name calling streamed from the intruder's threats and Jason made a step toward the door. She put her hand on his chest, and with a vigorous shake of her head, her eyes sent a silent plea not to move.

A short, high-pitched warning sound came from outside, and through the small crack in the curtains she saw the blue and red lights flash.

Her hands flew to her ears in an attempt to block out the argument outside. The accusations and explicit language stormed, but they only lasted a moment. Jason gave a low whistle with wide eyes as he watched the front door in anticipation. "I thought I had anger issues."

Soon, Jason's soft hand took a hold of hers and turned her around to him. "It's over," he said as a knock came to the back door.

"Stay here," she whispered and made careful movements to look to see who it was.

Relief flowed through her as she recognized the man standing outside and unlocked the door.

"I'm sorry, Margaret. I don't know how he found you," Detective Scott Hill's deep voice said as he followed her back in.

"I can't take this anymore!" she cried and paced with her hands over her face to try to trap enough air to breathe. "I can't testify for you. I'm sorry. It's over."

Heavenly Gift by Kay Maradeyo

Inspirational Romance, 220 pages, ebook
Cover art by Trisha FitzGerald
Purchase link for Heavenly Gift

Prudence is the 30-year old dowdy owner of a successful gift shop. She has given up hope of ever finding true love and has resigned herself to life as a spinster. Then she meets a compelling stranger who shows surprising compassion. But just when she begins to dare to hope, he suddenly turns into a man she can neither understand nor befriend.

Excerpt:
"What do you want from me?" she asked in a hoarse whisper, partly thrilled because this wonderful, enigmatic man seemed to actually be attracted to her, and partly nervous because she wasn't entirely sure she could give him what he wanted.

He smiled gently. "I'm afraid if I told you, you'd run as fast as those pretty legs of yours would carry you."

Prudence looked down as though trying to see the legs in question. "You think my legs are pretty?"
He shook his head wryly. "Lady, you have no idea.

Crossing her arms lightly over her waist in a futile attempt to stop the quivering in her belly at his admission, she angled her head and gazed at him for a moment. "You still haven't told me what you want from me."

"You."

"Me?"

"You."

At her silence, he arched his brow challengingly. "Cat got your tongue?"

"I don't know what to say."

He shrugged, but said nothing, though he watched her intently.

"I'm not sure I understand what you really want from me."