Christian Fiction
May 2023
Recent Releases
The Maid of Ballymacool
by Jennifer Deibel

1935 Ireland: Abandoned as an infant at Ballymacool House and Boarding School, Brianna Kelly lives there still, working as a maid under the watchful eye of bitter Mistress Magee.

What happens: Ordered by his father to help his troublesome teen cousin settle in at the school, well-to-do Michael arrives for a two-week stay and meets Brianna, who seems strangely familiar. 

Why you might like it: The Maid of Ballymacool presents a Cinderella-esque romance against the backdrop of an evocative Irish setting.
The Metropolitan Affair
by Jocelyn Green

1925 New York City: Dr. Lauren Westlake, a Metropolitan Museum of Art assistant curator, reconnects with an old friend, police detective Joe Caravello, who was once in love with her.

What happens: Lauren's estranged Egyptologist father tries to recruit her for an expedition, but she doubts his intentions. Meanwhile, she helps Joe search for an art forger, drawing the two of them close once again. 

Read this next: For another character-driven novel that combines romance, intrigue, and history, try Laura Frantz's The Rose and the Thistle, which takes place in 1715 Scotland. 
Home Again
The Happy Camper
by Melody Carlson

The setup: Dillon Michaels has had it with her selfish boyfriend and her unfulfilling yet time-consuming job. So she leaves both, heading home to her ill grandfather's Oregon farm.

The problem: Her mother, who's having her own problems, has moved in too. To get off the uncomfy couch, Dillion restores an old camper with tips from a handsome hardware store owner...and then her ex shows up.

For fans of: the recent TV movie of the same name; lighthearted romances starring female leads with strong faith.
The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery
by Amanda Cox

What it's about: In 1960s Tennessee, 19-year-old Glory Ann's fiancé has died in Vietnam, and she's pregnant. In the present day, Glory Ann's granddaughter, newly widowed Sarah, comes home to the Old Depot Grocery to find her mother trying to sell the store her grandmother loves.

Awards buzz: This multi-perspective, dual-timeline tale won two 2022 Christy Awards, for General Fiction and Book of the Year.

Read this next: Robin W. Pearson's A Long Time Comin', which is also set in the South and covers loss and family issues.
Long Way Gone
by Charles Martin

Starring: musician Cooper O’Connor, who wants all the world has to offer and leaves home at 18, taking the guitar he's stolen from his tent-preacher father.

What happens: Making it big in Nashville, Cooper falls in love with a talented singer, but events leave him injured, both spiritually and physically, sending him home to heal.

What sets it apart: This Christy Award winner lyrically tells a music-centric version of the prodigal son story.
Of Literature and Lattes
by Katherine Reay

Starring: Alyssa Harrison, who comes home to Winsome, Illinois, after the Silicon Valley medical startup she worked at shuts down; and Jeremy Mitchell, who moves there to be near his young daughter.

What happens: Alyssa works on her relationship with her mom, reconnects with her best friend, and helps Jeremy when he opens the coffee shop of his dreams and things don't go to plan.

Read it for: the charming setting and entertaining locals; catching up with characters from The Printed Letter Bookshop, which is set in the same small town.
Contact your librarian for more great books!
Eagle Valley Library District
600 Broadway St.
P.O. Box 240
Eagle, Colorado 81631
970-328-8800
www.evld.org