Author: sandramervillehart

Union General Ulysses S. Grant Attempts to Bypass Vicksburg During the Civil War

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by Sandra Merville Hart

President Lincoln saw the capture of Vicksburg, Mississippi, as a vital key to winning the Civil War. General Ulysses S. Grant agreed that it must be taken.

The Union Navy bombarded the city for sixty-seven days from May to July of 1862. Confederate soldiers fired cannons on the fleet while citizens hunkered in hastily dug cave shelters. One battered Confederate ship called the Arkansas possessed enough power to convince the Union fleet to head south on July 27th.

The defeat only whetted Grant’s desire to take Vicksburg by force. He’s in command of the Army of the Tennessee at the end of January, 1863, when he arrives at Young’s Point just north of Vicksburg. He studies the abandoned remnants of canal that had been started by General Thomas Williams’s troops to in the summer of 1862. The canal had been intended to go through De Soto Point and divert the flow of the Mississippi River to the south of Vicksburg because the city on the bluffs above the Mississippi River had proven to be difficult to capture.

Grant sees that the idea still has merit. He orders General Sherman to complete the canal. Using picks, shovels, and wheelbarrows, troops were to dig Grant’s Canal to a depth of 6 – 6 ½ feet, 60 feet wide, and 1 ½ miles long.

It wasn’t an easy task. Work began on January 24th. Vicksburg residents watched Union troops and black men dig from across the river. Most saw the attempts to alter the mighty river’s flow as foolhardy.

Indeed, the task was ridden with challenges from the start. Men got sick from cold, rainy weather. The Mississippi River’s seasonal floods caused some deaths when it reached the camps. They were using steam pumps to remove the water by February 19th. The troops took heart when the river crested and then receded.

Heavy rains at the end of February halted the work. When steam pumps stopped working, floating steam dredges were brought in. Confederate artillery at Vicksburg drove the dredges away.

The river floods again, and a massive crevasse pours water into the camp, forcing the soldiers to seek the safety of higher ground.

Confederate soldiers, who have watched everything happening at Young’s Point from across the river, move big cannons south to guard the canal’s exit.

Grant gives up on the idea and ordered work to stop on March 27th.

But he has not given up on capturing Vicksburg as the whole state of Mississippi realizes within two months.  

Grant’s Canal takes place in my novel, River of Peril, Book 5 in my Spies of the Civil War Series. This book tells the story of Felicity and Luke, who were courting before the war began. She volunteers as a nurse to distract herself from her worry about her soldier—then her worst nightmare happens. Luke has been wounded in battle. Worse, he doesn’t remember her…or why he was fighting for the Confederacy when his loyalty is with the North. It begins in December of 1862. Grant’s Canal worries the Vicksburg citizens in history and in the story.

Sources

Bearss, Edwin C. with Hills, J. Parker. Receding Tide: Vicksburg and Gettysburg, the Campaigns that Changed the Civil War, National Geographic, 2010.

“Grant’s Canal,” National Park Service, 2025/02/09 https://www.nps.gov/vick/learn/historyculture/grants-canal.htm.

ACFW New Releases March 2025

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March 2025 New ReleasesMore in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website

Biblical:


The Daughter of Rome by Angela Hunt — In Nero’s Rome, Calandra helps her father, a renowned sculptor, complete the most significant commission of his illustrious career. But then a catastrophic fire nearly destroys the imperial city, leaving Calandra reliant on a group of Christians–unusual individuals unlike any she has encountered before. Intrigued by their worship of the Son of an invisible God, Calandra grapples with her mistrust, only to find herself indebted to these believers as they help her rebuild her shattered world. When Emperor Nero begins constructing his opulent Golden House, the people of Rome grow resentful, suspecting him of starting the fire in order to clear the land for his immense palace. Needing a scapegoat, Nero points at those who follow the Jewish Messiah, forcing Calandra to make an impossible choice between right and wrong, friends and family, love and death. (Biblical from Bethany House [Baker Publishing Group])

Amish Romance:


Green Pastures by Patricia Johns — When Tabitha Schrock returns to her Amish faith after a painful divorce, she and her sisters must decide how much they are willing to sacrifice to stay true to their own personal dreams and their Amish faith. (Amish Romance from Bethany House Publishers)

Contemporary Romance:


A Hero’s Nature by Sandra Ardoin — Veterinarian Trey Abbott can’t measure up to his vet tech’s late fiancé, a military hero, so he’s settled for being Reagan’s boss and friend. He’s watched as she’s dated and dumped a long line of guys. After nearly losing her in an accident, though, Trey realizes it’s time to man up and take a chance on love before time runs out. She ends her relationships before emotions become involved and lives ruined. Reagan Hartwell’s friends wrongly believe she spends each anniversary of her fiancé’s death mourning him. This year, sick of her pity parties, she chooses to honor his memory and, maybe, ease some of her guilt. But Trey stands in the way of both her goal and her determination to avoid another love that could end in disaster. As they help a grieving show dog breeder, their good, yet conflicting, intentions for his rundown kennel pit them against one another. But will secrets they each hold tear them apart? Get to know the couples who navigate the joys and pitfalls of life and love in their quaint and tight-knit southern hometown of Hidden Veil, North Carolina. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)


Tears of a Cowboy by Elsie Davis — Cowboys who deserve a second chance at love and happiness and the women strong enough to show them the way…Texas style! (Contemporary Romance from Sweet Romance Publishing)


The Farmer’s Marriage Bargain by Heidi Main — They agreed to a practical marriage. But love never goes as planned…Raising three children alone was never part of the plan, but after losing her husband, Emma Bailey is doing the best she can. Until she discovers that she can’t afford the medication her youngest child needs. Suddenly, her late husband’s best friend comes to the rescue. Carter McCaw promised he’d always watch over the family and the farm. But when he proposes a marriage of convenience, Emma’s not so sure. It seems like the perfect solution…until loves blooms between them and complicates everything. (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])


An Unexpected Companion by Mindy Obenhaus — With his dog by his side… Is a second chance within reach? After losing his family and his leg in a car crash, widower Dirk Matthews dedicates his solitary life to woodworking and his mobility service dog, Molly. That is, until a troubled kid steals from his truck. Desperate to reach her grieving oldest son, widow Tessa Wagner agrees to have the boy help Dirk work on her family’s ranch. Only she doesn’t expect her own connection with the carpenter. Soon they’re feeling more than the shared loss of loved ones. But will past heartbreak stand in the way of their future? (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

General Contemporary:


The Novel Adventures of Natalie Daughtry by Susan L Tuttle With her twenty-plus-year marriage on the brink of collapse, bookish Natalie Daughtry immerses herself in her new bookstore job. When the mysterious Caspar gathers Natalie and her friends Everleigh and Brooke for the second time, she’s ready for an adventure to disperse the turmoil clouding her marriage. Caspar enlists their help in searching for a rumored copy of Lewis Carroll’s handwritten and illustrated manuscript of Alice’s Adventures Under Ground. Natalie is immediately enticed–this is the perfect distraction. But then Mason joins the team, and suddenly Natalie and her husband are side-by-side on the search for this elusive treasure. Being forced to work together has them tumbling deep into their past, seeking answers to old misunderstandings. When they emerge from the rabbit hole, things aren’t the same. Will they rediscover the love that once held the pages of their life together (General Contemporary from Kregel Publications)

Historical Romance:


The Carpenter’s Schoolmarm by Kimberly Burkhardt — She’s running from her future. He’s hiding from his past. Forced into an arranged marriage by her father, Samantha Baxter flees from the clutches of her fiancé and finds sanctuary in the small town of Cooperton, Kansas, as the new schoolmarm. Although she attracts the attention of some of the single men in town, Samantha remains cautious, knowing any romantic relationship could put that man in danger of her fiancé and his fury if he ever tracks her down. Michael Brooks finally has enough money to purchase the land where he will build his future home. He can put his criminal past behind him and find peace in the solitary life of crafting furniture for the people of Cooperton. That is, until he meets the new schoolmarm. She stirs a dream inside him he didn’t know he wanted. A wife and family to call his own. Despite her efforts, Samantha finds herself drawn to Michael, unable to deny her growing love for the handsome carpenter. But when his past and her future collide, will the two be able to trust in each other and in God’s plan? Or will their secrets keep them apart? (Historical Romance, Independently Published)


Echoes of Sunrise by Amanda Cabot — Sophia Carr knows her recurring dreams of an identical twin sister are just that – dreams. She also knows that eventually she will inherit the hotel her grandfather built. When a fire at the hotel kills her mother, Sophia returns to Carr Valley to rebuild and ensure that a planned railroad line chooses a route that will keep the town alive. But her grandfather’s will states that she must be married to inherit, and the only man she can imagine marrying seems to have forgotten her. Up-and-coming architect Gideon Spencer couldn’t say no when his dying friend begged him to marry his widow and raise their baby as his own rather than let a cruel grandfather gain custody. But when the young mother dies, leaving Gideon a single parent, the grandfather poses a new threat unless Gideon manages to marry again. Sadly, the only woman he’s interested in is the one he’s ignored for six months: Sophia.
Knowing he needs to protect the baby, Gideon heads to Carr Valley. When he discovers that Sophia needs a husband as much as he needs a wife, he proposes a six-month marriage of convenience. Sophia agrees but adds a stipulation of her own, one that will test his resolve, even as their wedding day reveals that Sophia’s dreams of a twin sister might be more than dreams.

(Historical Romance from ByDand Publishing)


Written in Secret by Crystal Caudill — In the heart of nineteenth-century Cincinnati one woman holds the power to rewrite history. What happens when fiction becomes reality? In the corruption-infested Queen City, danger lurks in every shadow, but Lydia Pelton refuses to stay silent. She writes under a pseudonym, E. A. Dupin, crafting crime novels to exact justice and right the wrongs she sees in society. When a serial killer decides to be the sword to her pen, Lydia is confronted with the consequences of her words. Four men are dead, and the city blames her. With murders on the rise, Officer Abraham Hall’s only lead is Lydia’s fiction, and he is thrust into an investigation with the “Killer Queen of Romance.” Despite his misgivings about the woman, he realizes that even with his reputation for catching elusive criminals, he needs her help. But his unexpected attraction to Lydia proves as difficult to manage as the woman herself. As the mystery unfolds, Abraham and Lydia race to rewrite the ending, not only for Cincinnati’s citizens, but for their own hearts too. (Historical Romance from Kregel Publications)


Uncharted Mercy by Keely Brooke Keith — Lonely bachelor Noah Vestal longs for a family of his own. His inherited farmhouse feels empty, until he befriends his lovely neighbor, widow Bette Owens. When Bette’s in-laws try to separate her from her children, Noah offers to marry her in a quick and convenient arrangement. However, their marriage is soon put to the test when someone contests Noah’s inheritance and threatens to tear their newfound family apart. Set in the idyllic village of Good Springs, this heartwarming tale follows Noah and Bette as they navigate the challenges of marriage, parenthood, and standing up to the powerful village council. As Noah’s dreams of family and community slip away, Bette is faced with an unimaginable fight for her family—and for love. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)


Texas Divided by Sherry Shindelar — Driven by the looming expectation of becoming a suffocatingly proper lady, Morning Fawn is determined to escape the confines of her uncle’s plantation and return to her adoptive Comanche tribe. But with each failed attempt, her hopes dwindle, and she wonders if she’ll ever find her way back home or if that world is forever lost to her. Devon Reynolds, disillusioned by the price of affluence and the horrors of war, leaves his privileged life to join the Texas Rangers and later the cavalry. In the military service, he finds purpose . . . until he loses his wife during childbirth while he is away. In an attempt to redeem himself, he takes one last fateful mission to rescue Morning Fawn from the Comanche. But the results force him to question the righteousness of his actions and the cause he serves. When Devon returns to Texas as a Yankee spy, his path crosses with Morning Fawn once more. Determined to save her from the prison of her uncle’s house and to recover Texas from the Confederacy, Devon is drawn to her fierce spirit and unwavering resolve. But can two wounded souls, each fighting their own battles, find solace and love amidst the chaos of war? (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)


Spark of the Revolution by Megan Soja — Contrary to her name, Patience Abbott has long felt unsettled and anxious to leave behind her painful memories in England for a fresh start in America. But her new life isn’t quite what she expected, and as tension grows in her new home of Boston, so does the distance between Patience and her estranged father. So when Josiah Wagner walks into her life, it finally feels like she’s not alone. If only his patriotic leanings didn’t put him at odds with her father’s loyalties. Josiah Wagner has spent his life yearning for a true home and family, something he works toward each day, forging tools as a blacksmith, and each night, forging plans with the Sons of Liberty. But when the destruction of tea in Boston Harbor lights the spark of the Revolution, Josiah finds himself drawn into its tumultuous wake, pulling the woman he loves along with him. As tensions mount, will their search for belonging lead to each other, or will the obstacles between them be too great to overcome? In a land on the brink of war, can they find the home they seek in the One who calls them His own? (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)


No Leaves in Autumn by Terri Wangard — Marie Foubert grew up in an orphanage and struggles with feelings of rejection. As a Red Cross recreation worker, she interacts with the American men based in Iceland during World War II. Her growing attraction to seaplane pilot Stefan Dabrowski excites and concerns her. Won’t he disappear from her life like everyone else? Stefan hears his commanding officer describe him as exciting as last night’s bathwater. One of his colleagues constantly berates him because of his Polish heritage and his superior flying skill. Despite being the squadron’s most productive pilot, he is threatened with court martial. A showdown approaches to prove who’s the better pilot and the better man. Marie’s cousin, passing through Iceland, tries to see her after spotting her photo in Life magazine. She declines to meet him, but Stefan encourages her to do so and learn why no one wanted her. She may gain a family after all (Historical Romance from Scrivenings Press)


Heart of Courage by Penny Zeller — A new life awaits her…if she can find the courage. In the spring of 1885, LilyBeth Engel makes the courageous decision to run from everything she’s known. She boards a train and goes as far as her meager funds will take her with her young son in tow. With nothing but the clothes on her back, the baby in her arms, her Bible, and a skill for sewing beautiful dresses, LilyBeth determines to succeed with the Lord’s help and dogged determination. Barrett MacCallum owns one of the largest ranches in Hilltop in the Montana Territory. He also owns several of the businesses on the main street. When a woman asks to rent one of his businesses for her new dress shop, he’s amenable, even if it means charging the woman less rent because she’s obviously destitute. When Barrett begins to fall in love with LilyBeth, will she have the courage to allow herself to love again with so much at stake?(Historical Romance from Maplebrook Publishing)

Cozy Mystery:


Home Baked Bribery by Gina Holder — The annual Rockport bake sale and competition is underway. The stakes are higher than ever for the coveted Golden Whisk Award when a high-profile celebrity chef is brought in as a surprise guest judge. The competition takes a deadly turn when the celebrity suffers an allergic reaction. When Addie’s nemesis, Kennedy Graves is banned from the competition for using almond extract, Addie volunteers to prove Kennedy innocent. As Addie investigates the death, she learns each of the local bakers had a motive to dislike the celebrity. But did one of them kill him? Meanwhile, hundred-year-old twins, Poppy and Marigold, keep Addie hopping, looking for their missing dogs. Will Addie be able to uncover the truth behind the celebrity judge’s death, or will she become the next victim of the mysterious shenanigans going on in Rockport (Cozy Mystery, Independently Published)

Romantic Suspense:


Waylaid by Jerusha Agen — Someone wants to kill her. She wants the killer to finish the job. Spring Weston will do anything to rise in the ranks of pro cycling and prove she isn’t the one failure of the five Weston siblings. Anything except cheat. When she learns of doping on her cycling team, she’s determined to uncover the truth. But she can’t if she’s dead. Sergeant Torin Cotter may not be the hero the public thinks he is, but he recognizes fear when he sees it. When he takes over the investigation of the collision that landed Spring in the hospital, he’s compelled to protect her from whatever danger she’s in, even though he knows he might fail. Again. Spring’s faith in God isn’t enough to help her face the living nightmare she awakened to after the accident. But neither she nor the handsome sergeant see the greater threat that’s coming until it’s too late. If they’re going to survive, Spring and Torin will not only have to confront their worst fears—they’ll have to find a reason to live. (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published)


Break My Fall by Lynn H Blackburn — Dr. Meredith Quinn always planned to return to Gossamer Falls to practice dentistry. Now that she’s back home, she’s made it a point to offer clinics to children and adults in nearby underserved areas. Unfortunately, those same areas are known to harbor drug traffickers, and Police Chief Grayson Ward suspects that local law enforcement is looking the other way. After too many losses, Grayson has closed off his heart. But when Meredith enters his life, his walls crumble, and he’s left exposed and vulnerable. To keep her alive, he must keep her close, but that makes it impossible for him to retreat and rebuild. Will she be the one who finally helps him emerge from isolation? Or will this force of nature leave him shattered? (Romantic Suspense from Revell)


Traitor in the Scottish Isles by Paige Edwards — To receive her inheritance and escape a scandal not of her making, wealthy socialite Cairstie Henderson moves to a small town in the Scottish Isles, far from the city lights and runways she frequents. There, she encounters the Irish spy responsible for the public breakup that made her the laughingstock of the Scottish Borders. Sheridan, a hardened MI6 agent, is on an undercover assignment to locate missing operatives and the mysterious traitor passing top-secret information to the Chinese. Unfortunately, there’s one Cairstie Henderson knows his true identity—and she detests him. But when Cairstie surprises an intruder, she seeks the one man who can protect her, Sheridan. Over time, these opposites give way to attraction that eventually blossoms into love, but with a dangerous criminal stalking their steps and intrigue around every corner, will Cairstie and Sheridan obtain their happily ever after, or will they end up dead? (Romantic Suspense from Balquhidder Books)


Two Good Deeds by Luana Ehrlich — Titus accepts an assignment to get intel on an Egyptian terrorist by posing as an antiquities collector from Dubai, but when an old acquaintance turns up in Cairo, he suddenly finds himself in the crosshairs of an assassin, and he must risk everything to stop him. Two Good Deeds is Book 11 in the Titus Ray Thriller Series, and it continues the story of covert operative Titus Ray as he seeks to perform his duties as a CIA officer while figuring out how to live the Christian life in the midst of chaos. (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published)


Justice Denied by Sarah Hamaker — Jetta Ainsley’s life had been complicated enough as she navigates cleaning out the family home while her mother recovers from a car accident. When her dog is hurt, her next-door neighbor, Seth Whitman, offers his help. Seth would like to do more for Jetta but the walls she’s placed around her heart are unsurmountable. Then she learns her late father had been accused of embezzlement, drawing Jetta into a web of secrets that could prove his innocence—or destroy her. When digging into her father’s past brings danger to their doorstep, Jetta turns to Seth for assistance in uncovering who stole millions before someone gets hurt. Seth tries to protect Jetta and her mother from the increasing danger, while clues lead them ever deeper into a tangled conspiracy. Unraveling the sinister plot will require all their courage, faith, and trust in each other. But will uncovering the truth clear her father’s name—or destroy their growing love for one another? (Romantic Suspense from Seshva Press)


The Mistaken Witness by Rebecca Lake — When a near-fatal crash forces Harper Ashford and Alek Locke to confront their shared past, their only chance of survival lies in unraveling the deadly web her father wove—that is if they can manage to trust each other before it’s too late. (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published)


Discovering Elena: My Mother’s Secret by J. Carol Nemeth — A tiny baby’s hat, old faded photos and a half of a metal medallion. What did the clues in the little wooden chest mean, and what will Kate find in Wyoming to shed light on her mother’s past? (Romantic Suspense from Winged Publications)

Young Adult Fiction/Allegory:


Liabetes by Shanna M Heath — She’s got a dream school, a nightmare budget, and she’s headed for a doozy of a rude awakening…Olivia’s goal is within reach. She’s been accepted to her dream school, Vanderbilt University, alma mater of famed comic illustrator Paige O’Donnell. Despite gaining multiple scholarships and grants, Olivia’s just shy of tuition. Desperate, she applies for a $15,000 scholarship offered by the Wonderbrink Foundation, to be awarded to a high-achieving and athletic senior with diabetes. One little problem… Olivia doesn’t have diabetes. In her quest to pull off a whopper of a lie, Olivia attends a diabetes support group meeting, where she meets and befriends Paul Roberts, a smug yet handsome member of the Sugar Shatterers. Her best friends Xavier and Amber aren’t thrilled about Olivia’s new mysterious, one-sided friendship with superstitious, entitled Paul. Xavier may secretly be a *little* jealous, and the scholarship application deadline rapidly approaches. (Young Adult Fiction, Independently Published)


Between You and Me by Melissa Knight — Meet Colton, the heartthrob of Rayburn High. With his charming smile and flirtatious nature, the girls are wrapped around his finger. As he spends more time with Mia, however – the friend he used to play with on the swings in second grade – he starts to recognize all the little ways she stands out. That girl can make him laugh! As for Mia, her schedule is jam-packed. Between looking out for her sister with special needs and juggling her interests in music, theater, and art, she barely has time for anything else. And romance? It’s a nice dream that has always seemed just out of reach. When Mia and Colton are thrown together in drama class, their relationship deepens, and sparks start to fly. Both begin to dream about something more than just friendship. But with insecurities and lies threatening to tear them apart, will they have the determination to sort out facts from fiction, and the courage to choose faith over fear? (Young Adult Fiction, Independently Published)

 

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

Bravo by Jessica Ashley — A pulse-pounding romantic suspense about trust, redemption, and the kind of love that refuses to let go—even when the past threatens to destroy it. Will they survive the firestorm, or will her secrets bring everything crashing down? (Romantic Suspense)

Circumvent (2nd Edition) by SK Derban — When perfection turns to panic an isolated couple must learn: “For we walk by faith, not by sight…” (Crime Mystery)

To Capture a Mountain Man by Robin Lee Hatcher — Bound by circumstance and danger, Amanda and Isaiah must navigate the perils of poachers, rustlers, and a growing affection he is not ready to admit. A romance of courage, love, and an unbreakable bond forged in the wild. (Historical Romance)

A Nurse’s Ambush by Rebecca Hemlock — How could she trust the police to catch someone they claimed didn’t exist? (Romantic Thriller)

Mary the Missionary, A Kenyan Adventure by Yvonne M Morgan — Mary the Missionary by Yvonne M. Morgan is a heartwarming story that explores themes of compassion, cultural understanding, and faith. (Children’s Early Readers)

But For These Chains by Jenny Powell — This fictionalized account of Paul’s journey with Christ highlights this important aspect of his ministry, taking us on a tour of the Roman empire in the first century AD, and brings us closer to the source of our joy and hope. (Biblical)

Announcing the Release of Make-Believe Matrimony!

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by Sandra Merville Hart

I’m excited to announce Wild Heart Books’s release of Make-Believe Matrimony!

Wild Heart Books selected my book, A Musket in My Hands, to be part of this 4-book eBook collection. What a thrill it is for my book to be in a collection with Susan Pope Sloan, Denise Weimer, and Misty Beller!

Four fake marriages. Four chances to discover true love in the face of danger.


From the frontier to the battlefield, witness the transformative power of love and faith in these four captivating pretend marriage historical romances.

Here are blurbs about each story:

Seeking Simon by Susan Pope Sloan
When a mysterious stranger claims to be her fiancé, Daviana Spalding’s fight to save her family’s land turns into a battle for her heart. Simon McNeil, haunted by his past and the horrors of war, finds himself drawn to Daviana’s strength and beauty. But as their fake engagement becomes all too real, escalating threats—and an unexpected return from Simon’s past—could destroy everything they’ve built together.

A Conflicted Betrothal by Denise Weimer
Ansel Anderson, a King’s Ranger on Georgia’s frontier, is determined to win favor with a powerful ally by proposing to the aloof Temperance Scott. But Temperance hides a dangerous secret—her support of the Liberty Boys’ cause. As war looms and loyalties are tested, Ansel and Temperance must decide if love is worth risking everything they hold dear.

A Musket in My Hands by Sandra Merville Hart
Callie Jennings is desperate to escape an arranged marriage, but joining the Confederate army disguised as a man is a shocking alternative. Alongside her sister Louisa, Callie faces the harsh realities of war and must wrestle with her beliefs about honor, love, and loyalty. When the man she loves reappears, will their bond survive the battlefield, or will their secrets tear them apart?

Pretending to Be the Mountain Man’s Wife by Misty M. Beller
Jess McPharland is trapped in her father’s dangerous mining operation in the Montana wilderness. Desperate to escape, she convinces Gil Coulter, a stranger searching for his missing brother, to pose as her husband. As they navigate treacherous terrain and unravel deadly secrets, Jess and Gil must confront the growing love between them—and the deadly danger that threatens to tear them apart.

Four captivating fake marriage stories of love, courage, and second chances set against the backdrop of war, wilderness, and the fight for freedom.

Pick up your copy today!

A Storm of Doubts by JPC Allen

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by Sandra Merville Hart

A Rae Riley Mystery

This young adult novel plunges right into the mystery and suspense from the first page.

Rae Riley,20, is just getting used to the idea of having a dad for the first time in her life. She’d lost her mother two years before with only clues to her father’s identity. Now she lives with her father, who is the sheriff, and has a whole slew of relatives.

But there are plenty of folks who want to cause trouble in the small Ohio city, relatives included. Rae’s desire to help others gets her in hot water over and over again until she runs the risk of ruining her new-found relationship with her dad.

There were plenty of twists and turns that led to unexpected outcomes in the story to keep me turning pages. The author does a good job building the suspense.

The story has many characters apparently introduced in earlier books. The author included a two-page chart in the beginning for readers to understand family relationships. However, it was still difficult to ascertain the major characters when there were so many named minor ones.

Even with that, the story held my attention. I believe that reading the Rae Riley Mystery books in order will benefit readers.

A page turner!

Amazon

A Season at the Grand by Sherri Wilson Johnson

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Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

Book 2 in Romance at the Gilded Ages Resorts

1905, Grand Hotel at Point Clear, Alabama

Photographer Amelia Harris is at the seaside resort on an assignment from her employer. The Photographic Times expected over 2,000 photos of the resort and its elite guests. It would occupy her entire summer.

Titus Overton, the general manager of the Grand Hotel and a bachelor handsome enough to make Amelia’s heartbeat quicken, longs to leave this job behind. His dream job of documenting migratory birds awaited in his future. In his immediate future, he have to avoid matchmaking mamas who pushed their daughters on him. Amelia was different. She catches his attention from the first day.

Her independent spirit, his past grief, and a common enemy bent on revenge threaten to keep them apart. There were lots of twists and turns that kept me turning pages.

I enjoyed this story. I look forward to reading more books in the collection!

Amazon

ACFW New Releases February 2025

/ sandramervillehart

February 2025 New ReleasesMore in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website

Contemporary Romance:


Small Town Harmony by Milla Holt — Faith, fame, and family collide as a Christian music power couple hides a secret discord. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)


Only You Can Love Me by Carolyn Miller — Dr. Jess Martin–Doc Martin to her local community–might be used to solving the veterinary problems of rural south east Washington, but she can’t solve the problems of her lonely heart. Cooper Reilly never pictured himself as finding his future or contentment on a ranch. But when a corporate reshuffle sees him kicked to the curb, he finds himself right back where he started. And right back to trying to convince a certain pretty vet to give him a second chance. But she’s not playing, convinced she’s found her Dream Match already. Can these two friends look past previous mistakes and find a future? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)


An Overdue Match by Sarah Monzon — If the covers of every romance book ever published didn’t convince librarian Evangeline Kelly that she isn’t heroine material, her fiancé calling off their wedding when she lost her hair to alopecia did. But what’s a girl head over heels for love to do when her feelings are unrequited? Matchmake, that’s what. Armed with library patrons’ check-out histories, she’s determined to make at least one love connection–even if it’s not her own. (Contemporary Romance from Bethany House Publishers)


Winning the Twin’s Heart by Rebecca Reed — College rodeo roper Yoani Alliegro can’t stop looking over her shoulder despite, or maybe because of, her recent success. She longs for family––the one she lost, and the one she hopes to have. When rejection shatters Yoani’s sense of belonging and sends her running in search of truth, will it lead to the family she’s dreamed of and freedom from her past, or will she discover she’s left all that in Montana? Bull rider Chantz Nannenga is caught between following his dream of teaching and upholding tradition by managing the family ranch. Should he settle for less than his dream or push forward when conquering his regrets could prevent him from winning Yoani’s heart? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)


Where I Found You by Betsy St Amant — Will the treasure hunt lead them to find a prize worth more than gold, or will the longstanding family feud continue for yet another generation?⁠ (Contemporary Romance from Sunrise Publishing)


The Nature of Love by Toni Shiloh — 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 is feeling fractured. But when she meets Christian Gamble, a passionate wildlife conservationist, an unexpected bond forms between them despite their contrasting worlds. Despite his passion for saving the planet, Chris has yet to find someone to share his adventures with. But as his friendship with Erykah begins to blossom, he finds himself 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. (Contemporary Romance from Bethany House [Baker Publishing Group])


Uneasy Street by Becky Wade — A wealthy, cynical CEO who has everything except love. An etiquette expert set on helping her niece solve the mystery of her birth. Equally matched in a battle of wills with their hearts on the line, they’ll have no choice but to confront their history – and the undeniable spark between them – while living side by side on uneasy street. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

Contemporary Romance Novella:


Pets Amore by Amy R Anguish, and Linda Fulkerson, and Heather Greery and Beth E Westcott — Four romantic comedy novellas with a bit of matchmaking help from the pets. (Contemporary Romance Novella from Scrivenings Press)

Contemporary Women’s Fiction:


The Promise by Pat Nicols — For Erica, Wendy, And Amanda, there are old wounds, and new challenges. Will they have the courage to face them all? (General Contemporary from Armchair Press)

Biblical Historical:


Dawn of Grace, Mary Magdalene’s Story by Jill Eileen Smith — Bound to the demons within her and incapable of freeing herself, Mary Magdalene walks in shadow–until one day she encounters a healer, a rabbi who is radically different from the religious leaders and family members who could do nothing to help her. One touch from Jesus and Mary is never the same. Now Mary’s one mission in life is to serve the one who freed her. She is determined never to leave his side, fearing that if she loses him, she’ll return to her former bondage. Even when the unthinkable happens and her savior is arrested and sentenced to execution, she cannot abandon him as so many others did. On the brink of despair, Mary is about to discover that while the life of faith is never perfect, perfect love casts out fear–and Jesus makes all things new. (Biblical from Revell)

Historical Romance:


Heart of Beauty by Danielle Grandinetti — Discover the origin of Crooked Tooth Ranch in this 1870s western retelling of Beauty and the Beast. (Historical Romance from Hearth Spot Press)


Tides of Healing by Sandra Merville Hart — A Southern belle fights to reclaim her home, but will her spying destroy the Union officer she never meant to love? (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)


Mail-Order Hotelier by Edwina Kiernan — California, 1860. A disillusioned woman must gain a mail-order husband or lose her beloved hotel. (Historical Romance from Moliant Publishing)


Snow and the Seven Brothers’ Circus by Megan Miles — Upon her twenty-first birthday, Catherine Penner is set to inherit her late parents’ vast estate and thriving coal mines, if she can make it to her birthday. An undiagnosed wasting disease threatens to steal her life, leaving her parents’ legacy in the hands of her cold guardian. As Catherine wrestles with the hopeless meaning of her short life and her fragile health, it becomes clear that something sinister is playing with her future. Will she find enough hope to push through to a promising future? Or will her life fade away like her beautiful memories? (Historical Romance, Independently Published)


Redeeming Rupert by Susan Pope Sloan — Hannah and Rupert must navigate the challenges of a marriage of convenience and learn to fight for each other as they protect their family legacies. (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)


Midnight on the Scottish Shore by Sarah Sundin — Desperate to escape the occupied Netherlands in 1941, Cilla van der Zee agrees to become a spy in Britain. But her plans to betray the Germans and work for the Allied cause are derailed when a suspicious Royal Navy officer finds her on the shores of his Scottish home. (Historical Romance from Revell)


The Bandit’s Redemption by KyLee Woodley — A holdup gone wrong, a reluctant outlaw, and the captive she’s sworn to guard. (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)

Crime Mystery:


Chilled to the Bone: A Jake Sledge Mystery by BD Lawrence — A prominent attorney is found murdered outside his River City office. Jake Sledge and his partner, Bobo Johnson, are drawn into a case that quickly spirals out of control. They uncover chilling connections to frozen evidence, shadowy underworld figures, notorious neo-Nazis, and a dangerous game involving the high-stakes casino industry. The lawyer’s death is only the beginning. (Crime Mystery, Independently Published)

Western Romance:


Whispers of Fortune by Mary Connealy — In 1875 California, Brody MacKenzie arrives at Two Hearts Ranch on a mission to find his runaway brothers, worried they may have fallen into harm. Instead, he finds them thriving at the ranch’s school and orphanage under the care of Ellie Hart, a woman with a heart as resilient as the land she calls home. When the boys show him a mysterious journal that has been guiding their travels and may hold the key to a lost treasure, Brody and Ellie are captivated by the possibility of a thrilling adventure. With winter approaching, Brody and Ellie race against time to decipher cryptic clues and unearth the hidden fortune. (Western Romance from Bethany House [Baker Publishing Group])

Speculative Fiction/Allegory:


Whispers and Flame by Demi Griffin —
A new generation haunted by their parents’ legacy must find a way to save their world. A new generation was poised for leadership in Everlasting. Secrets kept by their parents hindered what should have been a seamless transition. When Everlasting faces destruction through a massive flood, the newly chosen Sentinels must decide how to respond. Would they transition into their destined roles or adapt to present circumstances? When the king of the water domain becomes a threat of epic proportions would the next generation be equipped to defend the foundations of Everlasting? (Speculative Fiction, Independently Published)

 

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

A Hundred Magical Reasons by Laura DeNooyer — This split-time novel (early 1900s and 1980) is a whimsical and poignant story rooted in a girl’s childhood friendship with The Wizard of Oz Author, L. Frank Baum, and his influence across four generations. (Literary Historical)

For No Apparent Reason by SK Derban — A calloused murder, a chance discovery – two unplanned events become the catalyst that proves: “in all things, God works for good…” (Legal Mystery)

Bronze and Brokenness-Midianites by Christine Dillon — Reuel rejected all the gods, and Jael followed his lead. But is what she has all she’ll ever have? Why does her sister, Zura, find such hope in the God of Israel, even though she remains blind? All are broken, but can they, like bronze, be recast? (Biblical Historical)

The Seed’s Price by Erin Greneaux — A special seed might help Everly find her lost cat, but is she willing to pay the price? (Children’s/Middle-grade)

Uncovering the Truth by Carol J Post — When Alyssa Anderson stumbles upon her ex-boyfriend’s illegal art theft operation, she goes on the run—and narrowly escapes a drive-by shooting. With the help of her high school sweetheart, Spencer Cavanaugh, and his service dog, Apollo, Alyssa tries to stay one step ahead of her ex who will do anything to find her. (Romantic Suspense)

Mara: The Unseen Battle by Blossom Turner — Mara holds a secret she must bury…if she wants to survive. A story of faith and the power of the unseen.. (Supernatural Suspense)

Jesse Sings by Victor Hess

/ sandramervillehart

Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

Searching for Family, Book 1

Jesse Hall, 8, is devastated when his pregnant mother moves the two of them out of the apartment they had shared with his father. His dad had beaten her up for the last time—and this time he’d almost made her lose the baby.

They end up renting the second floor in the nicest place he’d ever lived right across from the school. But some in the community turn away from Jesse and his mom when they discover his dad is in jail. Someone gives him a New Testament Bible. He has lots of questions as he begins reading it. He’d only attended church once.

This middle-grade story quickly snagged my attention and didn’t let go. The characters in this story tugged at my heart. There were many obstacles, twists, and turns for the struggling family. The way certain folks helped one another inspired me.

The ending left me hanging with looming changes for the characters that are likely the beginning of Book 2.

I enjoyed this story by this author and look forward to reading the next book in the series.

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Roasting and Brewing Fresh Coffee in a Tides of Healing Scene

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by Sandra Merville Hart

The final book in the Spies of the Civil War Series, Tides of Healing, shows that everyone had difficulty adjusting to Union occupation in Vicksburg after surrender.

In an early scene, Southern belle Savannah Adair wants to make coffee for the wounded men convalescing in her parlor. The feisty young woman, who has never even boiled an egg, makes a watered-down flavorless beverage unrecognizable as coffee. That prompts one of the wounded soldiers to demonstrate how to roast and brew the coffee.

It’s a lighthearted scene in the midst of one challenge after another.

But how many modern coffee drinkers would do any better when faced with handfuls of raw coffee beans?

The authors of an 1877 cookbook urged readers to buy raw coffee grains or small amounts of freshly roasted beans. They preferred Mocha and Java or a mix of the two flavors.

Place washed raw coffee beans in a skillet. Begin by roasting them in a moderate oven (probably about 350 degrees) and then increase temperature so they roast quickly, stirring often. The beans are ready when tender, brittle, and a rich dark brown color. Test for doneness by pressing one bean with your thumb—it will crumble if done.

Coffee beans can also be roasted on a stove burner but make sure to stir constantly.

Add a lump of butter to the hot, roasted beans or let them cool and stir in a beaten egg white. This clarifies the coffee beans.

Simmer a few minutes and then strain the beans.

Grind roasted coffee beans. Many people owned coffee grinders similar to the one in the photo. Turning the crank grinds the roasted beans. The grounds are collected in the drawer beneath the grinder. Some grinders attached to the wall.

Allow one heaping tablespoon of ground coffee per person and add “one for the pot.” Mix the grounds with an egg (part or all of the egg) with enough cold water to moisten it thoroughly.

Boil a pint of water per person less one pint. For example, if ten people are drinking coffee, use nine pints. (If you find this confusing, read the original recipe!)

Place the prepared coffee grounds into “a well-scalded coffee-boiler.” Then add half the boiling water to the coffee pot.

Stop up the spout with a rolled-up cloth to lock in the flavor. Boil for five minutes “rather fast,” stirring as the mixture boils up. Then simmer for ten to fifteen minutes.

Add the remaining boiled water to the coffee when time to serve.

Store the unused roasted coffee beans in a tightly-closed tin.

Read Tides of Healing to discover how they fare with coffee making and so many other challenges following the city’s surrender.

Amazon

Sources

Compiled from Original Recipes. Buckeye Cookery and Practical Housekeeping, Applewood Books, 2011.

The Vicksburg Part of the Spies of the Civil War Series is Complete!

/ sandramervillehart

by Sandra Merville Hart

For those who have been reading the series, you’ve met our three heroine friends living in Vicksburg, Mississippi, at the start of the Civil War in 1861.

Streams of Courage, Book 4, Julia and Ash fall in love against her mother wishes. Townspeople accuse Ash of cowardice because he doesn’t become a soldier in the Confederate army. He begins spying for the North in his Mississippi city, a dangerous undertaking that puts his family and Julia’s family at risk. The story starts before the first battle in early 1861 and goes to the fall of 1862.

River of Peril, Book 5, tells the story of Felicity and Luke. They started courting before the war began. She volunteers as a nurse to distract her worry for her soldier—then her worst nightmare happens. Luke has been wounded in battle. Worse, he doesn’t remember her…or why he was fighting for the Confederacy when his loyalty is with the North. It begins in December of 1862.

Tragedy strikes one of the friends, Savannah, in Streams of Courage, Book 4. This feisty, spirited Southern belle has been chomping at the bit to tell her story. She gets her chance as our heroine in Book 6.

Here’s the back cover blurb for Tides of Healing:

A Southern belle fights to reclaim her home, but will her spying destroy the Union officer she never meant to love? 

Savannah Adair has endured the unimaginable, hiding in a cave while her beloved Vicksburg was under siege. With the city now occupied by Union soldiers, Savannah cannot stand by and do nothing. So when one of the gaunt, half-starved Confederate prisoners asks her to spy for the South, she can’t refuse the chance to take back her home. 

First Lieutenant Travis Lawson takes pride in the Union army’s hard-fought victory, but he quickly realizes that the challenges of rebuilding and reconciliation are just beginning . . . and not everyone is appreciative of changes he’s making. Namely, the fiery and alluring Savannah Adair. Despite their differing loyalties and the societal divide between them, Travis cannot deny the growing feelings he has for her. When he is tasked with finding Southern spies in Vicksburg and he captures a female spy, Travis is forced to consider that the woman he’s beginning to love may be the enemy. 

Pick up your copy today!

His Grace’s Governess by Jackie Killelea

/ sandramervillehart

Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

Saving the Spinsters, Book 1

Eleanor Clairbridge has no choice but to take a job as governess to support her widowed mother and herself. She puts any hope of a husband and family and travels to accept a position at the Duke of Albemarle’s estate.

Edmund Colhampton, the Duke of Albemarle, has shielded his heart from loving anyone new since the death of his family. His sweet niece Rosie is all that’s left of his family. He certainly doesn’t expect to fall in love with Rosie’s governess.

The characters in this story tugged at my heart. The growing love between the hero and the heroine has many obstacles. I especially loved the little girl, who had lost her parents while still an infant. Eleanor’s mother’s strength of character was inspiring.

I enjoyed this story by this author and look forward to reading the next book in the series.

I received a copy of the book from the author or publisher and was not required to leave a positive review. The thoughts and opinions are my own.

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