The Home for War Orphans by Jenna Ness

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Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

Orphans of St. Agnes, Book 1

At just three-years-old, Margot was taken with her baby sister Lucie to St. Agnes’ Orphanage in Paris. Sister Helen had brought them to the reputable orphanage only to find it on the verge of closing. She purchased it and stayed on as headmistress.

That was nearly fifteen years ago. It’s now 1940, and the Nazis are on their way to Paris. Sister Helen escapes the city with all the girls who hadn’t found a foster home. Some of the girls will be taken to homes in the United States. Margot and Lucie have different plans.

But the journey is filled with danger—and secrets. Things are not as they seem.

What a gripping story! I couldn’t put it down. Believable, flawed characters snatched my interest from the beginning.

World War II isn’t my favorite novel setting. However, unexpected twists kept me turning pages.

Recommended for historical readers!

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Parmesan Buttered Noodles Recipe

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by Sandra Merville Hart

Parmesan Buttered Noodles is a great side dish. I’ve serve it with chicken and steak. It’s a nice change from potato sides. Tonight, I’m looking forward to serving it with pork chops. It’s an easy dish that takes minutes to prepare.

Ingredients

8 ounces of egg noodles

1 teaspoon salt

4 tablespoons butter or margarine

4 tablespoons shredded parmesan cheese + 1 tablespoon, divided

½ teaspoon salt

¼ – ½ teaspoon pepper

I usually use medium or wide egg noodles. When preparing egg noodles, I often add 2 chicken bouillon cubes to the boiling water to enhance flavor. Alternatively, I sometimes use either chicken broth or chicken stock for half the water. For example, if the noodles require 1 quart of boiling water, half—or all—can be substituted with broth and cooked as normal. (I use beef bouillon when serving with steak or other beef main courses.) If I do add bouillon, broth, or stock, I cut back on the salt or omit it.

It’s a choice. Water is also fine. 😊

Cook the noodles per package instructions. Set aside.

Take a ¼ cup of the cooking water and add to a small saucepan. Add 4 tablespoons of butter. Cook on medium heat. Once it begins to softly bubble, cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Drain noodles. Toss with buttered sauce and parmesan cheese. Place in a serving dish.

Sprinkle more parmesan cheese on top.

My husband and I love this dish. And I especially love how easy it is to prepare with just a few ingredients.

Experiment with other types of cheese for a refreshing change.

Enjoy!  

President Washington Ends the Whiskey Rebellion

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George Washington became the first President of the United States in 1789 to a nation in debt from the Revolutionary War. Alexander Hamilton, Secretary of Treasury, proposed the first national internal revenue tax to reduce the national debt. Congress passed a tax on distilled spirits in 1791.

Frontier citizens living in Western Pennsylvania violently opposed the tax. Dangerous roads made it difficult for farmers to haul corn and rye to eastern markets. They often distilled their grain because it was easier to preserve and store.

The excise officers only accepted cash as payment, which was out of the ordinary for the time period. Many refused to pay the tax.

Others resorted to violence. They threatened excise officers, which was enough to make some leave. Other officers were tarred and feathered before deciding to leave.

President Washington issued an admonishment in 1792, hoping to resolve the matter peacefully. Instead the situation escalated.

In July of 1794, about 400 rebels burned the home of a regional tax collection supervisor near Pittsburgh.

Washington responded by leading 12,950 men in a militia force to Western Pennsylvania. Perhaps the former general enjoyed wearing full military dress once again.

The rebels had scattered when the forces reached Pittsburgh. Out of about 150 men tried for treason, only two men were found guilty. President Washington pardoned them.

This historic event marks the only time that a United States President directly commanded ground troops.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Sources

Kotowski, Peter. “Whiskey Rebellion,” George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 2017/04/18 http://www.mountvernon.org/digital-encyclopedia/article/whiskey-rebellion/.

Logsdon, Chris. “Wills Creek,” George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 2017/04/18 http://www.mountvernon.org/digital-encyclopedia/article/wills-creek/.

“Ten Facts about Washington’s Presidency,” George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 2017/04/18  http://www.mountvernon.org/george-washington/the-first-president/ten-facts-about-washingtons-presidency/.

“Whiskey Rebellion,” Encyclopeadia Britannica, Inc., 2017/04/18 https://www.britannica.com/event/Whiskey-Rebellion.

“Whiskey Rebellion,” National Park Service, 2017/04/18 https://www.nps.gov/frhi/learn/historyculture/whiskeyrebellion.htm.

 

Windsowers by Lori Lehman Marett

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Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

The movie script based on the novel, In Shady Groves by Yvonne Lehman.

I’ve been intrigued with the idea of writing movie scripts for a while. A decade ago, I spent several months digging into how to write scripts. I read scripts for popular movies as part of my study.

So when I discovered Lori Marett’s script for Yvonne Lehman’s, I couldn’t wait to read it. Marett is a talented screenwriter, and I loved that she wrote a script for one of her mother’s novels.

This script did not disappoint. Rather, it kept me turning pages from start to finish.

Windsowers is a story about the Biblical prophet Hosea and his wife, Gomer. I couldn’t put it down. Yvonne Lehman wove a masterful tale of tragedy, betrayal, and brokenness that Marett has captured into a script.

How I hope to see this one day at the movies! Well-done to this talented mother and daughter team. Recommended!

Amazon

Down Home Wisdom by Andy Hollifield

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Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

Faith, Freedom, and the Front Porch Way of Life

This wonderful book is filled with stories of hope and reflection.

It is divided into sections by topic. The author includes his own reflections written in first person to introduce each new topic. Each section contains several stories written in third person.

Topics covered include honesty, friendship, hope, judging others, and overcoming adversity.

The author’s conversational style reminded me of sitting around the dinner table as a child, listening as my dad told story after story. We sat long after the meal had been cleared from the table as my dad enthralled us with events from his past. These reflective thoughts took me back to those days.

What a wonderful read. Recommended!

Amazon
 

ACFW New Releases August 2026

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August 2026 New ReleasesMore in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website

Contemporary Romance:
Not My Hero by Michelle Bolanger — She lost everything… except the chance to begin again. He has everything… except the freedom to follow his heart. “Not My Hero” is a modern retelling of the Biblical Book of Ruth. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

What About the Song? by Rebecca Reed — What About the Song? is a kisses-only, faith-forward, contemporary Christian romance set in Nashville, perfect for readers who love equine therapy, wounded-hero, and music-driven slow-burn love stories. (Contemporary Romance from Moonsong Publishing)

Her Reluctant Amish Heart by Pamela Desmond Wright — When a reckless street race injures her brother, Anika Glick wants nothing to do with the man responsible—especially when he’s sentenced to help her family. But Elam Muller is desperate to prove he’s changed. As they work together on her family farm, Anika finds herself drawn to Elam’s remorse and kindness. But when they’re presented with one last risky race that could secure their future or destroy it all, everything they’ve built is put to the test. Will their growing love survive the pull of the past—or will it all come crashing down? (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

General Historical:
Keeping Thessalonica by Jenifer Jennings — In the port city of Thessalonica, Persis, a daughter of Persia and bondservant of Aristarchus, is forever changed when she encounters the teachings of Jesus and learns of His imminent return. (General Historical, Independently Published)

Sibella’s Stand by Naomi Musch — A woman on the New York frontier, whose husband has gone to fight, must use her wits to protect herself and a young girl when enemy forces arrive at her door. (General Historical, Independently Published)

Historical Romance:

A Lady Unveiled by Sandra Ardoin — Frustrated with her present life, Issy Krueger seeks to reclaim the independence that defined her as the black sheep in her family. Then secret, romantic notes arrive to lift her spirits—until the words escalate into veiled threats. As tragedy strikes and fear mounts, Issy’s best chance of survival could come from the man who once broke her heart. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)


A Contrary Betrothal by Denise Farnsworth — A Cherokee lieutenant, a colonel’s daughter, and a desperate fight to protect both land and love. (Formerly published as Bent Tree Bride). (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)


The Darling’s Daughter by Sydney Schmied — In 1912, Chillicothe, Ohio, a painter lands a job at a local theater in hopes of discovering the truth behind her stage actress mother’s murder, while enlisting the help of an architect battling his own secrets. (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)


The Heiress and the Woodsman by Christine Hill Suntz — She’s a city-bred heiress chasing a brother in trouble. He’s a rugged settler with everything to lose. What begins as a desperate bargain becomes a journey of hope, healing, and a love neither saw coming. (Historical Romance from Tyndale House)

Military Action/Adventure:


Stars and Stripes for Freedom by Delores Topliff, Jennie Atkins, Ellen E. Withers, Shirley Gould, and Cindy Bonds — With admiration for the women in all five branches of our military, these high action stories present five intelligent seasoned warriors who risk everything to protect the land of the free and the home of the brave. (Military Action/Adventure from TrueNorth Publishing)

Romantic Suspense:


Mad Dog by Sara Davison — Nothing was worth what it had cost him to walk away. In the next eight seconds, he will achieve everything he ever thought he wanted. Or he will die. (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published)


When the Silence Breaks by Elizabeth Goddard — A deathbed confession. A decades-old secret. A mountain that holds the answers–and danger closing in. (Romantic Suspense from Revell [Baker Publishing Group])


The Last Noel by Sarah Hamaker, Kimberley Woodhouse, and Jayna Breigh — The Last Noel is a riveting Christmas novella collection with suspense, intrigue, and second-chance romance. The stories are “Do you see What I see?,” (Hamaker) “Do You Hear What I Hear?” (Breigh) and “Do You Know What I Know?” (Woodhouse). (Romantic Suspense Novella Collection from Kregel Publications)

Speculative/Time Travel:

Braving Red Waters by Sarah Hanks — Phoebe Bristow has spent a decade guarding her heart after her father walked out and shattered her family. When she touches a mysterious antique mailbox aboard a whale-watching cruise in Baja California and wakes up in Civil War St. Louis, she must learn to trust again, first the quick-witted man who greets her on shore, then the God who placed her there for reasons she cannot yet understand. Back on the cruise, her mother Erica clings to the mailbox as the only thread connecting her to her missing daughter, while a thoughtful marine biologist, Rodney Duncan, steadily dismantles the walls around her wounded heart. Together and apart, mother and daughter discover that the courage to love again may be the most dangerous mission of all. (Speculative/Time Travel, Independently Published)


Jezebel’s Children by Lynne Basham Tagawa — Historian Geneva Fielding and physicist Peter Donatelli travel back in time to document the trial of Anne Hutchinson, but they find themselves caught in a web of politics, doctrinal disputes, and colonial intrigue. A dystopian time travel story where faith, gentle romance, and even humor overwhelm the dark elements. (Speculative/Time Travel from Blue Rock Press)

 

Plus check out these recent additions to Fiction Finder published within the past month:

Disguised Love by Marie E. Bast — Disguised Love: An Inspirational Victorian-Era Sweet Marriage of Convenience Romance Set on the Western Frontier During the Cholera Epidemic. (Historical Romance)

The Robber and the Witness by Danielle Grandinetti — Wisconsin, 1931—When Gideon Lundgren agrees to escort his best friend’s sister to Manitowish Waters, plans go awry when she witnesses a robbery. (Historical Romance)

Passionate Pursuit by Pamela Jo Harstad — Difficult backgrounds in the midst of threatening life challenges make having a relationship and safety almost impossible. (Romantic Suspense)

Sweet Dare by Sally Jo Pitts — A research biologist and curious youngsters are accused of unleashing a curse when a honeymooning couple is unearthed in an Indian burial mound. (Romantic Suspense)

Sunset Pointe: The Baby Between Us by Brenda Poulos — On the day before her Senior Prom, Karla finds out that her boyfriend, Jonathan, has fathered a baby with her best friend, Missy. (General Contemporary)

Ribbons of Guilt by Laura Thomas — In the charming English village of Bramble Downs, threads of betrayal unravel the sickening truth as a ballerina’s family is stalked by a delusional murderer… (Romantic Suspense)

God Stories by Courtney Dailey

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Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

Renewing Your Faith in the One Who Hears Every Prayer

Hurricane Helene struck Florida on September 27, 2024, and then moved inland to Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and East Tennessee. The storm caused tragic loss of life and terrible devastation. In a recent conversation with friends living in hard-hit North Carolina and Tennessee, I was heartbroken to learn that about four hundred people are still missing.

Dailey’s nonfiction account of the months following the hurricane was a book I couldn’t wait to read. While her home wasn’t affected, she quickly learned that flooding had rendered a friend’s home unlivable.

What could she do to help? The author prayed with her husband for guidance. That was the beginning.

This account of how God used one woman and her family—and hundreds of volunteers—to care for those devastated by Hurricane Helene inspired me.

My heart is full. Page after page is filled with miracles, examples of how God provided for needs before they knew they needed it.

What a wonderful read. Recommended!

Amazon  
 

Apple Bread Recipe

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by Sandra Merville Hart

When I had the opportunity to bake a breakfast dish for a gathering at church, I decided to play around with a recipe for apple bread. This one received lots of compliments!  

Ingredients

2 cups peeled apples, thinly sliced and then halved

2/3 cup + 1 tablespoon sugar, divided

3 teaspoons cinnamon, divided

2 cups sifted bread flour (or all-purpose flour)

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

¼ cup (4 tablespoons) butter

2 eggs, slightly beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

4 tablespoons milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a bread baking pan with cooking spray.

Sift the flour into a medium mixing bowl. Add baking powder, baking soda, salt, and 2 teaspoons of cinnamon and stir. Set aside.

After peeling the apples (3 small apples provide about 2 cups,) slice thinly and then halve the slices. I did this to more evenly spread the fruit throughout the loaf.

Place sliced apples in a small saucepan. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of sugar and 1 teaspoon of sugar over the apples. Cook over medium heat, stirring often to coat the slices with cinnamon sugar. Cook the fruit for 7 minutes until it just begins to soften. Remove from heat and set aside to cool about 5 minutes.

In a separate mixing bowl, thoroughly blend 2/3 cup sugar with the butter until all the sugar is incorporated into the butter. Pastry blenders work well for this. Beat 2 eggs and stir into the creamed mixture. Stir in the vanilla extract.

Gently fold the cooked apples into the batter. Stir in 4 tablespoons of milk.  

Stir the reserved dry ingredients into the batter. If it’s too dry, add another tablespoon of milk. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan. Try to tuck the apples poking out on top into the batter.

Bake at 350 degrees for 50 to 60 minutes.

Many people prefer to eat a slice of this delicious bread with cream cheese. It’s also good without it.

I love the combination of cinnamon and apples. I might even add a smidge more cinnamon next time. 😊

This bread takes about 20 minutes to prepare, including slicing and cooking the apples.  

Enjoy!  

Cake That! by Heather Greer

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Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

Livvy Miller’s dreams of winning the Cake That baking competition will cover her debt on The Sugar Cube, her cupcake food truck, and bring in new customers. The business she’ll lose by shutting down her truck for the show’s duration is a concern. After praying about her decision, she decides to trust God.

Evan Jones wants to win the baking competition so he can give his parents a dream vacation, who have sacrificed so much for their family.

I love to watch cooking competitions, so I was excited to discover one as a novel setting. This book met the marks for culinary lovers and contemporary romance lovers. I loved the unique setting!

Lovable characters—and some not quite so lovable—stole my heart and had me rooting for them. I enjoyed the story.

I look forward to reading more books by this author.

Amazon

Waylaid on Whidbey Island by Laurie Herlich

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Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

A Merry Irving Cozy Mystery

Merry Irving, an itinerant pet-sitter, is glad that her current job has taken her far from the scene of a terrible murder. She knows that she was the intended target. Her job involves three rambunctious dogs to try to distract her worry. When a dead body is found next door, she fears that she has been followed.

Semi-retired police detective Dave Brady has befriended her. He’s among the police officers working the scene. Is she innocent? Why do so many people end up dead when she’s around?

This cozy mystery grabbed my attention. Real, believable characters. The heroine seemed too trusting at times. Sometimes the author allowed scenes with the dogs to release too much rising tension.

Even so, this book was a page turner for me. Surprising twists bring real danger. I was worried for the heroine’s safety and read quickly.

I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

Amazon