These are the best titles of 2025 as voted by the American Christian Fiction Writer's , both winners and nominees for your reading enjoyment.
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"1969: When Mattie Taylor's twin brother was killed in Vietnam, she lost her best friend and the only person who really understood her. Now, news that her mother is dying sends Mattie back home, despite blaming her father for Mark's death. Mama's last wish is that Mattie would read some old letters stored in a trunk, from people Mattie doesn't even know. Mama insists they hold the answers Mattie is looking for. 1942: Ava Delaney is picking up the pieces of her life following her husband's death at Pearl Harbor. Living with her mother-in-law on a secluded farm in Tennessee is far different than the life Ava imagined when she married only a few short months ago. Desperate to get out of the house, Ava seeks work at a nearby military base, where she soon discovers the American government is housing Germans who they have classified as enemy aliens. As Ava works to process legal documents for the military, she crosses paths with Gunther Schneider, a German who is helping care for wounded soldiers. Ava questions why a man as gentle and kind as Gunther should be forced to live in the internment camp, and as they become friends, her sense of the injustice grows... as do her feelings for him. Faced with the possibility of losing Gunther, Ava must choose whether loving someone deemed the enemy is a risk worth taking, even if it means being ostracized by all those around her" --
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Book
Call Number:
FIC Sho
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"Mariah never pretended her marriage was perfect but that didn't mean she ever suspected her husband of ten years would not only ask for a divorce but steal the business she built for them. Defeated and depressed, she's not sure how to bounce back from the manipulative betrayal. Sabrina has been self-destructing for years, maybe since she was born, but certainly since the death of her long-time boyfriend. Barely scraping by and living in her van, she's struggling to figure out what's next for her, when all she's ever wanted to do is bake cakes like her mother did. When Mariah and Sabrina's grandmother sends them a cryptic text message summoning them to Georgetown, South Carolina, both assume their ailing grandfather's health has declined. Instead, the estranged sisters are faced with their grandmother's undeniable request--save the family restaurant. Through letters written by their great-great-grandmother, Tabitha, Mariah and Sabrina learn a heartbreaking yet powerful story of struggle and survival. As the whole truth about Tabitha's complicated past unfolds, the sisters are inspired by her ability to forge her own way in Charleston, a beautiful and prosperous city that was also rife with oppression under Jim Crow. With the lessons in their family's past guiding them, both sisters have a chance at a different life--if they can find a way to bridge the gap that tragedy and unhealed trauma forced between them. Told in a dual timeline that alternates between the 1920s and present-day Charleston, SC, Bitter and Sweet is an emotional story about love, one family's perseverance, and the bonds of family and heritage" --
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Book
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FIC McK
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"As a Black woman in a field with little diversity, Piper McKinney is determined to make her mark on the horse-racing world. Raised on a Thoroughbred farm in Kentucky, Piper's dream is for her horse to win the prestigious Kentucky Derby. With the help of her best friend and trainer, Tucker Hale, she gains national attention but must grapple with the complications that arise when a journalist delves into her past as a transracial adoptee. In an effort to win Piper's heart, Tucker formulates a plan to train Piper's horse to victory, hoping to prove himself to her, her parents, and his own self-doubts. Then a shocking scandal hits the media, implicating both Piper and her parents, and she and Tucker will have to survive the onslaught to find their way to the winner's circle--and each other" --
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Book
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FIC Shi
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Dr. Erykah Kennedy, a renowned orthopedic surgeon, finds herself at a crossroads in life. At forty, she's achieved remarkable success in her career, yet when it comes to her love life, she feels fractured. But when she meets Christian Gamble, a passionate wildlife conservationist, an unexpected bond forms between them despite their contrasting worlds. Chris has yet to find someone to share his adventures with, but as his friendship with Erykah begins to blossom, he begins falling for her in every way. When tragedy strikes and Erykah suddenly becomes guardian to her nieces, Chris helps her pick up the pieces. With their lives turned upside down, finding their way to a lasting love while putting their faith in God may be the biggest challenge they've ever faced.
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Large Print
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LP FIC Shi
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As the youngest daughter of a country music legend, Raegan Farrow longs to establish an identity away from the spotlight and publish her small-town romances under a pen name. But after her dream is dashed when she won't exploit her mother's fame to further her own career, she hears a rumor from a reliable source regarding a tell-all being written about the Farrow family. Making matters worse, the unknown author has gone to great lengths to remain anonymous until publication. Raegan chooses to keep the tell-all a secret from her scandal-leery sisters as they embark on a two-week cross-country road trip at their mother's request and makes it her mission to expose the identity of the author behind the unsanctioned biography. But all is complicated when she discovers their hired bus driver, Micah Davenport, has a hidden agenda of his own--one involving both of their mothers and an old box of journals. As they rely on each other to find the answers they seek, the surprising revelations they unearth will lead them down an unexpected road of love and reconciliation.
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Book
Call Number:
FIC Dee
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Until our time comes : a novel of World War II Poland
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American horse trainer Adia Kensington is living her dream of working at the famous Janów Podlaski stables in Poland, where they breed the best Arabian horses in the world. But her plans to bring the priceless stallion Lubor to the US are derailed when the German army storms into her adopted country in 1939. Little does she know this is just the beginning of six long years of occupation that will threaten her beloved horses at every turn. Bret Conway is at Janów Podlaski under the guise of a news reporter, but his true mission is intelligence gathering for the British. That and keeping Adia safe, which is harder and harder to do as she insists they must evacuate 250 horses to save them from being stolen, sold, or eaten by the invading forces. What follows will test their physical, mental, and emotional strength, as well as their faith in God, humankind, and each other.
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Book
Call Number:
FIC Mil
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Between the sound and sea : a novel
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Every family has its secrets. Josephina Harris wouldn't mind if her family still had a few of their own after a lawsuit tarnishes their name. When an opportunity opens to become a temporary keeper of a decommissioned lighthouse on a North Carolina island, she jumps at the chance to escape her small town to oversee its restoration. As the work begins, "Joey" discovers strange notes tucked deep in the crevices of the old stone walls--pages torn from a lighthouse keeper's log signed by someone named Mae who recounts harrowing rescues at sea. Fascinated by a woman lighthouse keeper, Joey digs into the past only to discover there's never been a record of a lighthouse keeper by that name. When things start to go amiss on the island, locals are convinced that it is the ghost of the lighthouse keeper and his daughter who were lost at sea during World War II. As Joey sifts through decades of rumors and legends and puts together the pieces of the past, what emerges is a love story--one that's not over yet.
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Book
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FIC Cox
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"Avalee Elvis prides herself with being able to fix just about anything ... except her past. As the owner of Lowcountry properties. Avalee spends her days in overalls and a tool belt reclaiming Lowcountry properties. Avalee's latest project takes her to Somewhere, South Carolina. She ignores its ghostly folklore but can't miss the shock of hearing the voice of the man she never wanted to see again. Rowan Murray is a structural engineer hired by investors to oversee the redevelopment of the quaint downtown Avalee is bringing back to life. As they work together to complete the rehabbing of Somewhere, both begin to wonder if it's not too late for a restoration of their own."--Back cover.
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Large Print
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LP FIC Low
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Legends are tucked into every fold of the Colorado mountains surrounding the quaint town of Mercy Peak, where residents are the stuff of tall tales, the peaks are taller still, and a lost treasure has etched mystery into the very terrain. In 1948, when outsider Mercy Windsor arrives after a scandal shatters her gilded world as Hollywood's beloved leading lady, she is determined to forge a new life in obscurity in this time-forgotten Colorado haven. She purchases Wildwood, an abandoned estate with a haunting history, and begins to restore it to its former glory. But as she does, her every move tugs at the threads of the mountain's lore, unearthing what became of her long-lost pen pal Rusty Bright, and the whereabouts of the infamous Galloping Goose Railcar No. 8, which vanished years ago--along with the mailbag it carried, whose contents could change the course of countless lives. Not to mention the fabled treasure that--if found--could right so many wrongs.
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Book
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FIC Dyk
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In the heart of ancient Persia, the empire's Jewish citizens face an ominous edict that threatens their very existence. Roxannah, the daughter of an impoverished Persian lord, is devastated by the news but feels helpless to come to the aid of her Jewish friends. Desperate to support her family, Roxannah approaches the royal physician, Adin--the man whose kind eyes haunt her--and seeks his help to find employment in Queen Esther's kitchens. In the opulent palace of Susa, Roxannah tries to survive the spiteful ploys of the other cooks as she ascends through the ranks. Her loyalty earns her the trust and friendship of Queen Esther, who is navigating dangerous politics with wisdom and grace. When Roxannah and Adin uncover a sinister plot against Amestris, the king's most powerful wife and Esther's archenemy, they find themselves tasked with the impossible job of discovering the culprit. As secrets unravel and alliances are tested, the fate of Esther's reign hangs in the balance.
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Book
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FIC Afs
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"A.D. 308. Demitria Caepio and her brother Theseus are expert divers, by day harvesting pearls and coral for a merchant who turns a blind eye to the fact that they are Christians, a dangerous identity in the face of the edicts Emperor Diocletian has passed to eradicate believers. By night, Demi and Theseus assume a far riskier and more difficult task: going upriver to trade goods on the underground Christian network, becoming the lifeline that supports the believers still living in Myra and its port village of Andriake. Demi seems fearless, but her bravado is a cover for her secret shame and guilt. She doubts she can ever do enough good to overcome the fallout of her greatest misstep years before. Then Theseus is severely injured in a diving accident, and Demi beaches her boat on the outskirts of Andriake where she meets a stranger who introduces himself as Nikolas. Nikolas inherited the vast wealth of his father's shipping enterprise after his brother's tragic death, an accident he blames himself for. Nikolas arrived in Myra to pastor the church and is determined to use his wealth for good, secretly giving it away to help others. The needs are dire as the emperor's birthday approaches--and with it a large pagan festival--the violence against the Christians growing all the greater. As the danger increases, Demi begins helping Nikolas supply Christians upriver with the food and money they need to survive. Then one night, Demi and Nikolas are followed by the emperor's soldiers who will stop at nothing to capture them. Demi escapes but Nikolas is taken. With Nikolas and other church leaders imprisoned, Demi must decide whether she will continue the work they have begun. Doing so means she must finally confront the choices she made years ago and decide whether the faith she calls her own is worth risking everything for... and if it is strong enough to sustain her in the face of devastating losses" --
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Book
Call Number:
FIC Ogl
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The elusive truth of Lily Temple : a novel
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Peter Driscoll, an underground investigator to the wealthy, has never met anyone like Lily Temple. The beautiful silent-film actress spins fairy tales and plays frivolous roles in front of the cine-camera, but beneath the costumes and stage makeup is a woman with a quick wit--and a murky past. Peter has been tasked with locating the legendary Briarwood Teardrop, an exquisite sapphire, which Lily wears beneath her gown. In order to stay close to her and hopefully unravel the mystery of her story--and the sapphire--Peter employs Lily's help on a case, which leads to a useful partnership. But as they are investigating together, Peter is also investigating Lily. The closer he gets to the truth, the more danger they face. And the closer he gets to Lily, the clearer it is that he needs her even more than she needs him.
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Book
Call Number:
FIC Pol
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"Claire Summers replies to an advertisement to help run a Sidmouth boarding house, but her handsome, secretive business partner might send her packing if he learns her genteel façade hides a less-than-respectable past. And will a hoped-for reunion with her family lead to reconciliation or leave her estranged forever?" --
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Large Print
Call Number:
LP FIC Kla
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Walking on hidden wings : a novel of the roaring twenties
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Geneva Ashcroft Hayes's marriage to a newspaper mogul might have been arranged, but the New York socialite is devastated when her husband's plane crashes a few short months after their nuptials. When the authorities suspect murder, Geneva sets out on a wild mission to find his killer--and to prove it wasn’t her! When mysterious notes surface pointing to Geneva's guilt in his death, they only strengthen her resolve. She has little to go on except for a detective friend's cryptic list of locations connected to her dead spouse. When the friend also disappears, she trades her sparkling gowns for coveralls and pilot goggles. Armed with a new name and career as a wingwalker and barnstormer, she travels from town to town in hopes of unearthing clues and locating her missing friend. But Geneva discovers that her past may not belong to her... what she once believed as truth may be nothing more than lies and deception.
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Large Print
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LP FIC McD
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Night falls on Predicament Avenue
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In 1910, Effie James is committed to doing anything to save her younger sister, who witnessed a shocking murder, leaving her mute and in danger of the killer's retribution. Effie must prove what her sister saw, but when a British gentleman arrives, he disrupts Effie's quest with his attempts to locate his wife, Isabelle Addington, who was last seen at the supposed crime scene in the abandoned house at 322 Predicament Avenue. Just as Effie discovers what she seeks, she finds that the blood staining the walls will forever link her to a scandal she couldn't imagine, and to a woman whose secrets promise to curse any who would expose them. A century later, Norah Richman grapples with social anxiety and grief as she runs her late great-aunt's bed-and-breakfast on Predicament Avenue. But Norah has little affection for the house and is committed only to carrying out her murdered sister's dreams until crime historian and podcaster Sebastian Blaine arrives to investigate the ghostly legacy of the house's claim to fame--the murder of Isabelle Addington. When a guest is found dead, the incident is linked to Isabelle's murder, and Norah and Sebastian must work together to uncover the century-old curse that has wrapped 322 Predicament Avenue in its clutches and threatens far more than death.
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Book
Call Number:
FIC Wri
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"Ever since Fire Marshal Jesslyn McCormick lost her family in a fire, she's been looking: for the arsonist, for a reason, for relief from the guilt of surviving. In a twisty tale of revenge, forgiveness, and justice, Jesslyn and FBI Special Agent Nathan Carlisle team up to find the answers--if they can keep her alive long enough to ask the questions" --
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Book
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FIC Eas
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Grappling with the aftermath of a tragic incident that altered her life, ex-police officer and bestselling mystery author Erin Delaney finds solace in the tranquility of a cabin nestled deep in the Smoky Mountains. But her restful stay is shattered when cries pierce the night, hinting at a lurking presence haunting the woods. When local police chief Adrian Nightengale seeks her help with a carefully arranged murder scene, she is thrust back into the world of crime solving. As they delve into the investigation, Erin's intuition reveals chilling truths about the killer's motives and strategically perfected methods. Joined by the enigmatic Kaely Quinn-Hunter, a former FBI behavioral analyst, Erin not only embarks on a quest to stop the merciless serial killer, but also confronts the revived ghosts of her past. In a race against time, Erin must defeat her own demons while outmaneuvering a cunning killer or risk becoming the next victim in this deadly game of cat and mouse.
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Book
Call Number:
FIC Meh
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Something borrowed : a historical romance collection
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A Daffodil in the Dress: Kate Becker and Ike Finch have worked together at his family's bookstore since Kate's husband died in the Vietnam War. She has her daughter, Eloise, to take care of and bills to pay. When Ike brings little Eloise flowers one day, Kate begins to look at him as more than an employer.
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Large Print
Call Number:
LP FIC Som
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"When mankind's attempts to control nature backfire, Texas descends into a wasteland. Storms rage and ravenous beasts roam the Outer Grid. The only safe havens rest inside the tech-obsessed domed cities. But when her parents are murdered inside the Plex City dome, seventeen-year-old Juniper Conway wants revenge. Ties to her extended family threaten to pull her back as she runs from city to city. The Plex is endangering its citizens by legalizing a deadly nano drug, and Juniper's family needs her help to deliver the counteragent. Saving the city who orphaned her goes against everything she stands for. The only way out is to brave the wasteland. Juniper joins a shipping crew fearless enough to transport food across the Outer Grid. But when a string of bad luck turns lethal, she fears something, or someone, is dragging her back to the Plex. As her world sinks into chaos, Juniper must decide if revenge is worth the lives of the crew she has come to love" --
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Book
Call Number:
YA FIC Lew
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In the early 1920s, the accelerating destruction of the California redwoods is more than nature-loving Marion Baker can bear. Throwing herself headlong into the work of the Save the Redwoods League, she is shocked to learn that Frank Duncan, a man she's grown to love, is the son of one of the area's worst timber barons. Though devastated by the betrayal, she realises this could also be an opportunity -- if she can convince him to help preserve her favourite grove from his father's greedy grasp. Nearly 50 years later, in 1972, polio survivor June Turner is proud of the legacy her great aunt Marion has left as a redwood warrior. And despite her disability, June is determined to prove herself capable as a ranger at the recently established Redwood National Park. When aspiring film student Adam Garner approaches June to help make a documentary about Marion's life, she grabs the opportunity to spread her aunt's worthy reputation. That is, until they unearth a secret that might shatter the family legacy. In the scramble for answers, June may lose not only her family pride but also her own dreams.
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Large Print
Call Number:
LP FIC Bar
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"When the past scratches its way into the present, it can leave deep scars. A series of cryptic clues leads Department of Defense redactor Travis Brock to suspect that a grim chapter from his past is not yet over. With the help of his eidetic memory and his newly formed team, he must unearth the truth and stop a terrorist group from stealing one of the military's most highly guarded technological breakthroughs. With it, the group plans to commit a daring act of espionage that could upend the work of one of the world's largest pharmaceutical firms and impact millions of people worldwide.In a high-stakes story of action and intrigue that reaches from a refugee settlement in Uganda to the shores of the Potomac in Washington, DC, shattering secrets from the past will be revealed, loyalties tested, and intimate betrayals brought to light as Brock is forced to decide how to forgive what he cannot forget. From a novelist that Publishers Weekly has called a "master storyteller" comes an intricate and taut thriller that will have you guessing until the final page"--
Format:
Book
Call Number:
LP FIC Jam