Happy Release Day! 5 New Must-Read Books

It's a big day for new releases! I'm delighted to share Veiled in Smoke's launch day with several others! There are several releasing today, but I'm limiting this post to just five. Take a look at this variety. I think you'll find there is something for every reader!

Veiled in Smoke (The Windy City Saga #1)

by Jocelyn Green
Historical Fiction (Great Chicago Fire of 1871)

Meg and Sylvie Townsend manage the family bookshop and care for their father, Stephen, a veteran still suffering in mind and spirit from his time as a POW during the Civil War. But when the Great Fire sweeps through Chicago's business district, they lose much more than just their store.

The sisters become separated from their father, and after Meg burns her hands in an attempt to save a family heirloom, they make a harrowing escape from the flames with the help of Chicago Tribune reporter Nate Pierce. Once the smoke clears away, they reunite with Stephen, only to learn soon after that their family friend not only died during the fire--he was murdered. Even more shocking, Stephen is charged with the crime and committed to the Cook County Insane Asylum.

Though homeless, injured, and suddenly unemployed, Meg must not only gather the pieces of her shattered life, but prove her father's innocence before the asylum truly drives him mad.

What readers are saying: 

"If you love classic literature, you will feel connected to these characters. If you have a friend or family member serving in the military, this story will stir your heart. If you enjoy historical fiction that begs you to keep digging and discovering, Jocelyn Green is the author for you. Finally, if you enjoy a good mystery, Veiled in Smoke should not only be on your nightstand, it should move directly to the top of the stack!" ~Amanda Geaney, Goodreads Review

Find Veiled in Smoke on Goodreads.

The Tea Chest

by Heidi Chiavaroli
Time Slip Fiction (Dual timeline, Revolutionary War era and contemporary)

Boston, 1773
Emma Malcolm's father is staunchly loyal to the crown, but Emma's heart belongs to Noah Winslow, a lowly printer's assistant and Patriot. But her father has promised her hand to Samuel Clarke, a rapacious and sadistic man. As his fiance, she would have to give up Noah and the friends who have become like family to her--as well as the beliefs she has come to embrace.

After Emma is drawn into the treasonous Boston Tea Party, Samuel blackmails her with evidence that condemns each participant, including Noah. Emma realizes she must do whatever it takes to protect those she loves, even if it means giving up the life she desires and becoming Samuel's wife.

Present Day
Lieutenant Hayley Ashworth is determined to be the first woman inducted into the elite Navy SEALs. But before her dream can be realized, she must return to Boston in order to put the abuse and neglect of her childhood behind her. When an unexpected encounter with the man she once loved leads to the discovery of a tea chest and the document hidden within, she wonders if perhaps true strength and freedom are buried deeper than she first realized.

Two women, separated by centuries, must find the strength to fight for love and freedom. . . and discover a heritage of courage and faith.

What readers are saying:

"Passion for American history shines through as this author gives readers a front row seat to events leading up to and those after the Boston Tea party, through the eyes of tender-hearted Emma Malcom and her family...This was a nail-biting story I couldn’t put down. It’s rich in character, history and story. It would work well for your next book club pick." ~Nora St. Laurent, Goodreads Review

Find The Tea Chest on Goodreads.

Daughter of Rome

by Tessa Afshar
Biblical Fiction

A woman with a devastating secret. A man bent on proving his worth. A chance encounter that catapults them into the heart of history.

When the daughter of a prominent Roman general meets a disinherited Jewish immigrant, neither one can dream of God's plan to transform them into the most influential couple of the early church. Nor can they anticipate the mountains that will threaten to bury them. Their courtship unwittingly shadowed by murder and betrayal, Priscilla and Aquila slowly work to build a community of believers, while their lives grow increasingly complicated thanks to a shaggy dog, a mysterious runaway, and a ruthless foe desperate for love. But when they're banished from their home by a capricious emperor, they must join forces with an unusual rabbi named Paul and fight to turn treachery into redemption.

With impeccable research and vivid detail, Daughter of Rome is both an emotive love story and an immersive journey through first-century Rome and Corinth.

What readers are saying:

"If it's possible to start the year out by finding your favorite read for the whole year, that might have just happened. At the least I can guarantee that it will make my favorites list. I don't even think I have the words to do this story justice. Incredible!" ~Becca-Rae Weidel, Goodreads Review

Find Daughter of Rome on Goodreads.

Belinda Blake and the Birds of a Feather (Exotic Pet-sitter #3)

by Heather Day Gilbert
Contemporary, Cozy Mystery

When exotic pet–sitter Belinda Blake starts pecking at the details of a suspicious accident in her sleepy hometown, she inadvertently digs up a murder case that won’t be solved without ruffling a few feathers . . .

The moment Belinda arrives in Larches Corner, her Upstate New York hometown, she’s immediately recruited to care for a deceased friend’s flock of homing pigeons. But Belinda’s plans for a swift visit scatter after a local college student is mowed down in a malicious hit-and-run that has the whole town reeling.

At first, the gruesome demise of Jackson Hait appears to be a random tragedy. But Belinda quickly uncovers connections to a tight-knit group of friends and a similar death three years earlier . . . one that wasn't as accidental as it seemed. Now, Belinda must pluck the truth from a tangled nest of lies before a cruel killer takes wing.

What readers are saying:

"Belinda Blake and the Birds of a Feather is the third and most multilayered book in the Exotic Pet-Sitter Mystery series. The countless readers who fell in love with Belinda’s quirky charm in earlier books will be cooing over this story, as it develops and expands her personality even more, giving her journey a coming of age feel against the backdrop of her colorful family, friends, and love interests." ~Chloe Flanagan, Goodreads Review

Find Belinda Blake and the Birds of a Feather on Goodreads.

The Land Beneath Us (Sunrise at Normandy #3)

by Sarah Sundin
Historical Romance (World War 2)

In 1943, Private Clay Paxton trains hard with the U.S. Army Rangers at Camp Forrest, Tennessee, determined to do his best in the upcoming Allied invasion of France. With his future stolen by his brothers' betrayal, Clay has only one thing to live for—fulfilling the recurring dream of his death.

Leah Jones works as a librarian at Camp Forrest, longing to rise above her orphanage upbringing and belong to the community, even as she uses her spare time to search for her real family—the baby sisters she was separated from so long ago.

After Clay saves Leah's life from a brutal attack, he saves her virtue with a marriage of convenience. When he ships out to train in England for D-Day, their letters bind them together over the distance. But can a love strong enough to overcome death grow between them before Clay's recurring dream comes true?

What readers are saying:

"Ms. Sundin has a firm grasp on how to convey faith and human nature and pours this knowledge into her characters, making them come alive. Her extensive research shines in the scenes about training and the invasion of Normandy, as well as the everyday hardships of the folks left behind at home. Faith in God is portrayed as the backbone of the Paxton family and forgiveness is seen as a struggle but so worth the outcome." ~Paula Shreckhise, Goodreads Review

Find The Land Beneath Us on Goodreads.

Which books are you adding to your TBR list?