New Releases by Cecelia Dowdy

Raquel's father died when she was a baby - that's what she thought... She receives a mysterious phone call - stating her father is alive and in hospice. He must see her before he dies. Why has her mother lied to her for all these years about her father's "death"? She must rely on Patrick, her ex, to help her to make the trip to see her father during a massive snowstorm. Patrick has his own set of problems - he never told Raquel the real reason why he abandoned her three years ago. BUTTERSCOTCH BLISS is a tasty Christmas unforgettable romance!

Can Ruth heal from her broken heart?

Melanie used to be in love with Kyle's identical twin. Could she really have feelings for Kyle - or does she like him because he reminds her of his brother?Lawyer Kyle Baxter had a secret crush on Melanie Richards for years, but she was smitten with his identical twin brother, Keith. Recently sober, he takes a Christmas-time hiatus from his law firm. He rents a beach house - right across the street from Melanie. As he uncovers secrets about his past, he's determined to learn more about his mother who died when he was a baby.Obese as a child, Melanie Richards is now slender and beautiful. She owns an herbal health food store. Having her own business comes with a high price. Her uncle agrees to finance her shop as long as she agrees to mentor Chloe, her drunken, wayward, 21-year-old cousin. Chloe's erratic behavior wreaks havoc in Melanie's life. Can a Christmas road trip help them to solve Kyle's and Chloe's problems? Is Melanie attracted to Kyle because he resembles his twin, or does she love Kyle for himself?

What would you do if you discovered your fiancé was cheating on you?When Rainy Jackson embarks on a cruise to escape her two-timing ex-fiancé, she meets handsome, charming Winston Michaels. Winston is trying to deal with his pain. A recovering alcoholic, he's not emotionally strong enough for a relationship. Can he assist Rainy with her ministry and learn to lean on God instead of alcohol?Coffee and Kisses is a sweet, faith-filled romance novel that you will always remember!

What would you do if you discovered your fiancé was a thief? Karen Brown's fiancé was the treasurer of their large megachurch. After embezzling thousands of dollars, he disappeared with his beautiful assistant. Reeling from shock, Karen moves back in with her mom. When she arrives, she meets Keith, the blunt next door neighbor who knows way too much about her past. Keith Baxter-plumber and future preacher-is enamored with Karen. Can he sweeten Karen's mood with his homemade candy and convince her that not all men are dishonorable?

Some Lessons Only the Heart Can TeachCouples come together to teach and learn, but working together has challenges that test their faith. Lessons of the Heart by Terri J. Haynes Washington, DC, 1864 After fleeing slavery, Sergeant Elim Smith must teach the First Colored Infantry’s newest soldiers to read. Schoolteacher Adeline Barris comes south searching for her still enslaved mother and brother. When she volunteers to assist Elim, can they learn the lessons of loss and love in the middle of a war? Courting the Doctor by Cecilia Dowdy Pennsylvania, 1870 Deborah was in love with Timothy years ago, but he married her sister Eve instead. Now Deborah is a schoolteacher and widower Timothy is back as the town’s doctor. As he helps her to study for a college entrance exam, her feelings for him are rekindled. Will Timothy return her affections? Schooling Mr. Mason by Lynette Sowell Massachusetts, 1895 Adelaide Parker thought she was a shoo-in the director of the prestigious Wickham’s Academy for Young Ladies. However, old Mrs. Wickham brings in her nephew, Stephen Mason, who’s new to teaching. She promises the position to the teacher whose team wins the academic challenge—a clever guise for her matchmaking. Who will win the coveted top spot? Lessons of Love by Lynn A. Coleman Eastern Tennessee, 1899 Helen Jones and Daniel Moore both teach by very different methods. But learning their own life lessons is a bit more difficult for both of them –and romance is a lesson neither is ready to take. Life keeps pushing them together. Will they surrender and be tutored in love?

After her dad's unexpected death, Emily struggles to run her family's dairy farm. When handsome Frank Reese, a CPA, unexpectedly shows up for an audit, her life drastically changes. Emily is stunned when Frank uncovers a secret about her deceased father - a secret that may change her life forever. Frank is mesmerized by his beautiful, outspoken client. As she tries to sweeten his mood with her mouthwatering milk chocolate candy, he struggles with a problem. His addiction and lack of faith are enough to make Emily leery. Can he overcome his obstacles and heal from his emotional wounds?

Overnight, Monica Crawford finds her neatly organized world turned upside down. Her sister abandons her blind son, Scotty, leaving him on Monica's doorstep. Caring for a child was not in Monica's carefully-laid plans, after all, she's working on her MBA while pursuing a marketing director position at The Chocolate Dreams Candy Company.However, caring for a handicapped child brings unexpected conflict-and unexpected joy. When John French volunteers to tutor Scotty, he's drawn to Monica. But John and Monica are very different. She is a strong believer, determined to live her life for Christ. John is an agnostic who wants nothing to do with God. Will John see the light? Will Monica realize that sometimes letting go of a dream is the way to achieve it? Only in full surrender will either of them be happy- whether they end up together or alone.

Falling in love is not easy when you're 60+ years old! If loving him is so wrong, why does it feel so right?Childless, Michael Gray longs to find the daughter his deceased wife gave up for adoption years ago. His search takes a detour when he meets candy maker Dara Greene. Dara is also widowed and she's determined to make her business, Caroline's Candy Shoppe, a success.Dara suffers from stage fright and due to a recent traumatic event, she seeks Michael's assistance. Can he help her win the Annual Cruise Ship Candy Competition and convince her to take a chance on love?

Join the journey as nine couples employ daring resourcefulness that leads them along the Underground Railroad in search of freedom and justice for all.

Sheila Parks is stunned when Mason Smith, the identical twin brother of her ex-boyfriend Reese, moves to Blue Spring and opens a bakery. Reese's cruel breakup still bothers her and seeing somebody who looks just like him is a painful reminder of her predicament. Unemployed, Sheila needs financial help and it appears that Mason can assist her with her problem. Can she learn to trust a man who looks just like her ex?Mason is stunned when Sheila storms into his bakery, mistakenly thinking that he's Reese. Mason is used to comforting his womanizing brother's ex-girlfriends. A stutterer, Mason has always had a hard time socializing with others. However, he finds himself smitten with beautiful Sheila. Can he control his stutter so that he can ask Sheila to be his date to his grandmother's Christmas birthday party?Both Sheila and Mason deal with past pains as they work together during the Christmas season.

When Kim Taylor returns to Bethlehem to run her family's cookie shop, her life is in shambles. She doesn't get along with her dad, and she secretly longs to fix their broken relationship.She's stunned when Luke Barnes, her former high school boyfriend, strolls into her cookie shop. Recently widowed, Luke has returned to Bethlehem to raise his daughter, Lisa, in a wholesome environment. Seeing Kim reawakens Luke's memories from long ago. Their high-school romance is a painful reminder of the man he used to be. However, falling for Kim is not on his agenda right now. Luke is struggling with a problem, and it looks like Kim is the only person that can help him solve his dilemma. Luke has already hurt her once, so, can she find the courage to trust him again?

Facing eviction, Rhea Morrison, a grieving widow, must save her failing bakery. An unexpected turn of events lands her at a singles retreat where she meets Martin Lane. Pastor Martin laments over his secret, traumatic past mistakes. He's destined to lead his father's church, despite blatant rejection. He can't love Rhea - he's yet to forgive himself for his past. If Rhea knew how he used to be, she would have no interest in pursuing a relationship with him.Rhea feels torn about her attraction to Martin - he's a pastor, and after her husband's death, she vowed to never get involved with another pastor. Rhea's identical twin sister, Raven, also has feelings for Martin. Her tenuous relationship with her twin makes her leery. Can she find the courage to love Martin without hurting her sister? Both Martin and Rhea struggle with their faith in God. Can Martin and Rhea overcome their past so that they're free to love again?

C.1. GIFT. 09-14-2010. $6.99.

Karen Brown's fiance treated her well, had a good job, and was the treasurer of their large church. And then he embezzled thousands of dollars and disappeared with his lovely assistant. Reeling from shock, Karen moves back in with her mom. But when she arrives, she instead finds a strange man in her mom's home. He's the blunt next-door neighbor, who knows way too much about Karen's past. Keith Baxter--plumber and future preacher--is enamored with Karen. Only problem is, every word out of his mouth sends her into a tailspin. Can Keith convince Karen that not all men are dishonorable?

It's amazing how quickly life can change. Overnight, Monica Crawford finds her neatly organized world turned upside down. Her sister abandons her blind son, Scotty, leaving him on Monica's doorstep. Caring for a handicapped child brings unexpected conflict-but unexpected joy as well. When John French volunteers to tutor Scotty, he finds himself irresistibly drawn to Monica. But John and Monica are very different. She is a strong believer, determined to live her life for Christ. John is an agnostic who wants nothing to do with God.Will John see the light? Will Monica realize that sometimes letting go of a dream is the way to achieve it? Only in full surrender will either of them be happy- whether they end up together or alone.

Emily can't keep running her dairy farm all alone. When her dad dies, Emily Cooper must work hard to save the family farm. She manages--until the day a CPA pulls in her driveway and announces he's there to do an audit. Franklin Reese is appalled at the lack of interest the Cooper women have in the financial aspect of their livelihood, but he dives in, determined to help them learn. The further he looks into Mr. Cooper's dealings, however, the more uncomfortable he becomes. Can he uncover the truth of the situation and still earn the love of the amazing Emily Cooper? Or will issues in Franklin's own life keep them apart, even after the farm is taken care of?

Rainy Jackson, on a Caribbean cruise to get over her faithless ex-fiancé, encounters a handsome fellow passenger, Winston Michaels, who himself is dealing with family problems and before long they grow close.