Author: sandramervillehart

Broccoli Salad Recipe

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by Sandra Merville Hart

There’s a café near my daughter’s house that makes delicious broccoli salad. I decided to create my own version of this salad. It turned out pretty well and took about twenty minutes to prepare.

INGREDIENTS

Salad

5-6 cups small broccoli florets (3 heads)

½ cup shredded cheddar cheese

¼ cup bacon, cooked and crumbled

1 cup brown rice, cooked (optional)

Dressing

¾ cup mayonnaise

¼ cup olive oil

2 tablespoons white vinegar

2 tablespoons honey

¼ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon pepper

Stir the mayo and olive oil together until well blended. Then add vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper. Stir together until creamy. Set aside.

In a different bowl, combine the broccoli, cheese, and bacon. Pour in the dressing and stir until combined. Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.

This was delicious! It tasted very similar to my favorite café’s version. The vinegar gives the creamy dressing a nice tangy flavor. I added a cup of cooked brown rice to the salad—it didn’t affect the flavor but made it a more filling, satisfying dish.

Something crunchy like ¼ cup of sunflowers or ½ cup of slivered almonds would be a nice addition.

Enjoy!

His Sweet Surprise by Angie Dicken

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Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

Can a little girl reunite a family?

Piper Gray is glad to leave behind her marriage to a controlling husband. After the divorce, she wants to return to her hometown and raise her daughter. She lands a seasonal job at the Hudson’s apple farm, a place that has always seemed like home.

Lance Hudson has returned to his family’s business looking for a fresh start after his divorce. Piper’s presence there shocks him, for he had dated her years ago before leaving for college. She’s been away a long time. Only Sidney, his twin sister, has met Maelyn.  

Piper has a secret she’s keeping from everyone. She’ll do anything to keep Lance from meeting his daughter.

Readers learn early that Lance is Maelyn’s father. Neither he nor any of his family knows. After meeting him and his wonderful family, I must confess I was frustrated that she kept her sweet daughter from him.

The characters tugged at my heart, especially Lance and Maelyn. This book was a page-turner.

Christianbook.com  

October 2023 ACFW New Releases

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October 2023 New Releases
More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website

Children’s:
Road Trip Rescue by Becca Wierwille — After spotting a photo of her lost dog, twelve-year-old Kimmy embarks on a wild road trip to bring him home with her pink-haired, adventure-hungry aunt who makes some unexpected detours. (Children’s/Middle Grade/Chapter Books from Beloved Chronicles LLC)

Contemporary Romance:

A Christmas Romance by Annette M. Irby — A wannabe novelist with writer’s block. A best-selling children’s book author with a knack for story. And the romance they brainstorm together. Can they deny their attraction, or will they live their own Christmas romance? (Romance Novella from Prism Effect Publishing)

A Country Christmas by Lisa Carter — The rancher and the city girl have nothing in common…except the wedding that brings them together (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired/Harlequin)

A Deeper Love by Heidi Gray McGill — There’s no such thing as going “too deep” where spiritual things are concerned. But I’ll stay at the surface and snorkel rather than dive into the depths when it comes to relationships. (Contemporary Romance from Celebrate Lit Publishing)

A Horseman’s Mission by Sandra Ardoin — A guilt-ridden horseman works to establish an equine therapy center for veterans with PTSD while attempting to ease the fears of an overprotective widow whose son suffers panic attacks. (Contemporary Romance from Corner Room Books)

Fields of Glass by Alyssa Schwarz — A rancher facing bankruptcy and a corporate sales rep who wants to buy his family land. Sparks fly when they are forced to work together toward a common goal, and discover what they’re willing to sacrifice to save those they care for most. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

Mama Dated Santa by Amy R. Anguish — Trudy McNamara doesn’t do Christmas anymore. But Trudy finds herself tangled up with the toy store Santa and Christmas when she discovers her mom … dated Santa. Nick Russo, manager of Russos’ Toy Emporium, is at a loss as to how to save his family’s store. When Uncle Paul, the Santa and part-owner, hires Trudy to revamp their store, Nick’s life turns upside down. (Contemporary Romance from Scrivening’s Press)

Their Holiday Secret by Betsy St Amant — Preston Green will do anything for a fake girlfriend—even bid on one at a charity auction. Sweet and quirky baker Lulu Boyd is the perfect choice to stop his mother’s constant matchmaking. And it’s just for one holiday family dinner—until his father’s failing health makes ending their ruse impossible. Soon it feels all too real…but another secret might make this their last Christmas together. (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired/Harlequin)

General Contemporary:
Secret Mercy by Lynn Waite Chapman — Talk to Liberty Cassell and you will hear her extoll all the advantages of living in her hometown of Twin Fawn. Little traffic. Easy parking. However, in this little town, when Harley Ottenweller failed to show up for dinner one day, most residents failed to notice. Those who did take note seemed grateful not to meet up with him on the street. His wife Willow and son Johnnie went on with life. No questions. No search. Does the tiny woman with wispy white hair and wild imagination know more about her husband’s disappearance than she’s telling? (General Contemporary from Winged Publications)

General Historical:
Appalachian Song by Michelle Shocklee — A young pregnant woman bonds with the midwives who take her into their Appalachian home. Decades later, a famous country singer heads to the Appalachian Mountains to search for the midwife who holds the truth about his past. (General Historical from Tyndale House)

The Kidnapped Groom by Susan Page Davis — Riding through the Flint Hills on his way to Dodge City, cowboy Sam Cayford finds himself the kidnapping victim of two children. When he meets their lovely mother, Maggie Piner—whom the kids insist he should marry—Sam starts to question God’s plans versus his own. (General Historical, Tea Tin Press)

Historical Romance:
Abounding Hope by Cindy Kay Stewart — Poland’s looming defeat forces an American teacher to escape with children wanted by the Nazis. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)

Against the Wind by Amanda Cabot — When a female doctor-in-training saves a handsome stranger’s life, little does she know that he’ll bring both love and danger into her life. (Historical Romance from Revell)

Angelina’s Resolve by Cindy Ervin Huff — Architect Angelina DuBois isn’t looking for love as she builds a town run by businesswomen. Carpenter and Civil War veteran Edward Pritchard’s dream of building homes for Chicago’s elite must be put on hold until he gains references. Serving as a contractor under Angelina’s well-known DuBois name provides that opportunity. But can Angelina trust her handsome new carpenter to respect her as his boss? Will the project take Edward one step closer to his goals, or will it make him a laughingstock? Can these two strong-willed people find love amid such an unconventional experiment? (Historical Romance from Iron Stream Media)

Chiseled on the Heart by Kelly Goshorn, Elaine Marie Cooper, Cynthia Roemer, and Candace West — Four generations carve out a journey of faith. The Gift of a Lamb by Elaine Cooper; A Lasting Legacy by Cynthia Roemer; Healing within the Pieces by Candace West; The Christmas Carving by Kelly Goshorn (Historical Romance from Revell)
The Case of the Missing Detective by Rebecca Hemlock — A spin off series of The Granton House Mysteries. We follow sixteen-year-old Dorothy Corbin as the family secrets are passed to her. She’s ready to discover her grandfather’s past, but nothing could have prepared her for what she’d find there. (Historical Romance from Bluecap Publishing)

Military Suspense:
Havoc by Ronie Kendig — Former Special Forces operator Sergeant Crew Gatlin is putting his life back together after a career-ending incident that separated him from the Army, half a leg, and his beloved working dog, Havoc K027. When he takes a job and is unexpectedly reunited with Havoc, it’s too good to be true. Their first assignment is to work as a K-9 team for a TV drama. Being a stunt double allows Vienna Foxcroft to fulfill her acting dream—with a side of MMA—and stay out of the limelight. Then in walks Mr. Mountain-of-Muscle and his tough-as-nails dog, and Vienna has a bad feeling her life is about to turn upside down as they head overseas for a location shoot in Turkey. When an attack sends the cast fleeing into the streets of Turkey, Vienna must face the demons of her past or be devoured by them. And Crew and Havoc are tested like never before. (Military Suspense from Sunrise Publishing)

Romantic Suspense:
Crime Scene Conspiracy by Jessica R. Patch — A string of staged deaths forces Texas Ranger Emily O’Connell on a covert mission to investigate a governor’s connection to the deceased women. She doesn’t trust anyone—including crime scene cleaner Stone Spencer. But when Emily’s questioning makes her the serial killer’s next target, she must turn to ex-ranger Stone for help. With threats at every turn, outrunning a merciless villain could be the last thing they do. (Romantic Suspense from Loved Inspired Suspense/Harlequin)


Christmas in the Crosshairs by Kate Angelo, Kelly Underwood, Sami A. Abrams — Christmas is about to get dangerous! Get ready for three brand new Elite Guardians romantic suspense stories from Sunrise Publishing in this exciting anthology. (Romantic Suspense from Sunrise Publishing)

Grave Secrets by Elle E. Kay — In the historic city of Philadelphia, a mystery begins to unfold that will lead to the tranquil beauty of Ricketts Glen State Park and the dark secrets hidden just beyond the park’s borders. (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published)

Holiday Menace by Jerusha Agen, Mary Alford, Lori Altebaumer, Danielle Grandinetti, Sarah Hamaker, Kendall Hoxsey, Karen Kirst, Pat O’Brien, Hope Welborn, and Terri Weldon — Will Christmas be merry and bright? Lives are in danger when menacing pressures threaten to derail Christmas in this heart-pounding suspense—plus a little romance—collection of 10 brand-new novellas from some of the genre’s most popular Christian romantic suspense authors! (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published)

Running to You by Robin Patchen — She dumped him, ghosted him for five years…and then showed up on his doorstep with bruises and a head injury she can’t explain. She has no memory of the years since she left him–or their breakup. She also has no idea why men are chasing her. (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published)

Shadows at Dusk by Elizabeth Goddard — A missing person. A murder victim. And two hurting people seeking justice, connected in ways they could never imagine. (Romantic Suspense from Revell)

Skye Fall by Paige Edwards — The dirty cop who left her for dead now lies in wait to silence her once and for all. (Romantic Suspense from Covenant Communications)

Snowbound Escape by Dana Mentink — After months tracking a colleague falsely accused of a double homicide, officer Tanner Ford and his K-9 partner finally locate crime tech Mara Gilmore—but the real murderer is closing in. Now they must run into a frozen wilderness to survive. Evading the killer is the only way for Mara to clear her name. But will the harsh winter conditions cover their tracks…or bury them forever? (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired Suspense/Harlequin)

Western:
Another Christmas Story by Susan Page Davis — Beryl’s father is badly injured, and the wagon train leaves her and her little brother behind and at the trading post. They are at the mercy of the trading post manager, his wife, and their adult son, James. Grieving after her father’s death, Beryl sees that James loves her young brother. Soon she comes to care for James too. Come spring, Beryl will have to decide whether she and her brother will continue on to Oregon or go back East. (Western from Tea Tin Press)

Young Adult:
Royal & Ancient by Amanda Lauer — When a lightning strike transports a high school senior from modern-day America to 1600s Scotland, she must learn the ways of the Scots before a battle between England and Scotland decimates the land her true love is destined to rule. (Young Adult from Chrism Press/WhiteFire Publishing)

 

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

April’s Promise by Terrie Todd — As a world war wages across the globe, the Kimball family faces a different kind of conflict at home. Will their personal battles drag them down and tear their family apart? (General Historical)

Center Point by Nancy J. Farrier — Her husband is married to someone else — or is he? (Contemporary Romance)
Heart Restoration by Regina Rudd Merrick — A renovations expert and a contractor come across a corpse on the job site, along with a series of tunnels beneath the property. (Romantic Suspense)
Malia’s Courage by Pamela Harstad , A Native Hawaiian interior designer and her architect co-worker encounter murder and threats after a company plans to build illegally on Hawaiian sacred land. How will they uphold their relationship and others’ rights, while trying to survive? (Romantic Suspense)
Speaking Through the Silence by Linda Sammaritan , Will Debbie continue to keep quiet under the Mean Queen’s snarky abuse, or will she screw up the courage to speak through her self-imposed silence? (Young Adult)
Tipsy in Love by Anne Greene, A hilarious tale of love almost lost. (Contemporary Romance)

Down to Davy Jones by Eddie Jones

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Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

Caribbean Chronicles Series, Book 5

A time-travel pirate fantasy with an adventure at every turn!

The last thing Ricky Bradshaw remembered was being baptized in the river. The next minute he’s on a pirate ship, rowing with unbathed pirates to beat a storm. He figures his most recent epileptic absence seizure has landed him in real danger. It’s also taken him from his mom, who suffers from cancer.

The storm is an epic one and the pirates are looking for someone to toss overboard. The only paying passenger, Jonah, confesses to running away from God and ends up overboard. Ricky isn’t far behind him.

From there, things go from bad to worse in a series of misfortunes that will keep readers turning pages.

I love that pirates are not romanticized, as they often are in books written for teen boys. Consequences of our own actions and the punishment awaiting those who don’t accept Christ’s forgiveness is vividly portrayed.

I must also add that there were moments of gross punishments I skimmed over. All in all, the author has written a pirate adventure that shares truth few reveal. It’s a powerful story.  

Parents, I suggest reading the book before passing it along to your teenager. There is a note to parents/readers on Amazon that I’d like to share:

Down To Davy Jones is a fictional retelling of past pirate escapades based on future events.

Parents can trust the Caribbean Chronicles Series. There is no sexual dialogue or situations, excessive violence, or strong language, only a wee little bit of humor. 🙂 Down to Davy Jones deals with the afterlife and the consequences of taking our own life. Reader discretion is advised.

I was given a copy of the book by the author. A positive review was not required. The opinions expressed are my own.

Amazon

Yesterday’s Gone by Cindy Woodsmall & Erin Woodsmall

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Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

Marriage between a Bontrager and a Ebersol is cursed, or so nearly all of Eliza Bontrager’s Amish community believes. Yet she loves Jesse Ebersol and accepts his marriage proposal anyway.

On their wedding day, one of her aunts gives her an old quilt with magical powers. It can be used to change one event. She’s advised to use it wisely. Distracted by wedding events, Eliza dismisses the somewhat creepy conversation from her mind. She’ll remember it after a heart-wrenching loss.

This is a strange story involving time travel. Eliza wished to erase her grief by changing a key event. Its ripple effect creates a gripping story that held me spellbound.

It didn’t take long for the story to rivet my attention. Because the quilt was prayed over by many of Eliza’s ancestors as they stitched, it was said to hold power. There was no going back once it was done.

What a riveting story! The pain of so many characters tugged at my heart. Surprising twists throughout the story kept me flipping pages.

This book was a page-turner for me!

Highly recommended for readers of Amish romances!

I was given a copy of the book by the publisher. A positive review was not required. The opinions expressed are my own.

Christianbook.com

The Nurse’s Homecoming by Allie Pleiter

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Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

True North Springs Series, Book 3

Bridget Nicholson is only working as a nurse at Camp True North Springs for a month. She reminds herself that it’s all temporary, especially when she learns her ex-boyfriend, Carson Todd, works there. Her father, who had warned her away from Carson years before, doesn’t like the camp for families who grieve lost loved ones nor does he want Bridget there. She can’t understand his attitude.

Carson had been heartbroken when they broke up the first time. Those old feelings stir to life when they meet again. Bridget, recovering from a recent breakup, only wants to be friends. Can he accept that?

A mission to search for potential bone marrow donors for a little boy at camp keeps Bridget busy as she also struggles to mend her relationship with her father.

But not everything is as it seems.

I was drawn into the story by likeable characters. My sympathy was aroused early for grieving families, yet the story moved slowly for me at first.

Surprising twists catapulted me into the story. Characters acted in believable ways. I read the book in one afternoon.

It’s Book 3 of the series yet the story also works as a standalone.

Recommended for readers of inspirational contemporary romances.

Amazon

September 2023 ACFW New Releases

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September 2023 New Releases

More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website

Contemporary Romance:

A Louisiana Christmas to Remember by Morgan Tapley Smith, Betsy St. Amant, Lenora Worth — Three heartwarming, interconnected stories of faith, love, and restoration, brought to you by three Louisiana-native authors. Will a rare snowy Louisiana Christmas bring restoration and hope to the hometown and hearts of three women from the town’s founding family? In A Louisiana Snow by Morgan Tarpley Smith, meet Mattie: A passionate visionary who learns to forgive and finds love in unexpected places… In Restoring Christmas by Betsy St. Amant, meet Jolene: An artist and prodigal daughter who discovers love exists in the very place she once called home…
In A Christmas Reunion by Lenora Worth, meet Adale: A beautiful widow who finally dares to love again… (Contemporary Romance from Barbour Publishing)


Redeeming the Cowboy by Lisa Jordan — Five years ago, bull rider Bear Stone lost everything. His best friend. His fiancée. His career. And Piper Healy, his best friend’s wife, never forgave him for the rodeo accident that killed her husband. Now they’re working together to save his family’s ranch. But can this cowboy choose between his last chance at the rodeo…and the woman he’s falling for? (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired/Harlequin)


Where Love is Planted by Dawn Kinzer — A beautiful horticultural therapist.A handsome social worker in a woman’s prison. Will their loyalty to others cost them their own happiness? Or will something beautiful grow where love is planted? (Contemporary Romance from Morningview Publishing)

Historical Romance:

A Counterfeit Betrothal by Denise Weimer — A frontier scout, a healing widow, and a desperate fight for peace. At the farthest Georgia outpost this side of hostile Creek Territory in 1813, Jared Lockridge serves his country as a scout to redeem his father’s botched heritage. If he can help secure peace against Indians allied to the British, he can bring his betrothed to the home he’s building and open his cabinetry shop. Then he comes across a burning cabin and a traumatized woman just widowed by a fatal shot. (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)


Francine’s Foibles by Linda Shenton Matchett — World War II is finally over, and America is extra grateful as the country approaches this year’s Thanksgiving. But for Francine life hasn’t changed. Despite working at Fort Meade processing the paperwork for the thousands of men who have returned home, she’s still lonely and very single. Is she destined for spinsterhood? Grateful that his parents anglicized the family surname after emigrating to the United States after the Great War, first-generation German-American Ray Fisher has done all he can to hide his heritage. He managed to make it through this second “war to end all wars,” but what American woman would want to marry into a German family? Must he leave the country to find wedded bliss?? (Historical Romance from Shortwave Press)


The Legacy of Longdale Manor by Carrie Turansky — In 2012, art historian Gwen Morris travels to England’s Lake District to appraise the paintings and antiques of an old family friend, hoping to prove herself to her prestigious grandfather. When Gwen stumbles upon a one-hundred-year-old journal and an intricately carved shepherd’s staff similar to one in a photo of her parents, she’s left searching for answers. In 1912, after her father’s death, Charlotte Harper uncovers a painful family secret she can only confess to her journal. As Charlotte grows closer to shepherd Ian Storey and rebuilds her shattered faith, she must decide whether she will ever trust in love again. (Historical Romance from Bethany House)


Wooing Gertrude by Jodie Wolfe — Enoch Valentine has given up finding peace for his past mistakes. He throws everything he has into being the new part-time deputy in Burrton Springs, Kansas while maintaining the foreman position at a local horse ranch. But when trouble stirs on the ranch, he questions whether he’ s the right man for either job. Peace has been elusive for most of Gertrude Miller’s life, especially under the oppressiveness of an overbearing mother. She takes matters into her own hands and sends for a potential husband, while also opening her own dress shop. Gertrude hopes to build a future where she’ ll find peace and happiness. Will either of them ever be able to find peace? (Historical Romance from White Rose Publishing)

Literary/Contemporary:

The Wind Blows in Sleeping Grass by Katie Powner — After years of drifting, fifty-year-old Pete Ryman has settled down with his potbellied pig, Pearl, in the small Montana town of Sleeping Grass–a place he never expected to see again. It’s not the life he dreamed of, but there aren’t many prospects for a high-school dropout like him. Elderly widow Wilma Jacobsen carries a burden of guilt over her part in events that led to Pete leaving Sleeping Grass decades ago. Now that he’s back, she’s been praying for the chance to make things right, but she never expected God’s answer to leave her flat on her face–literally–and up to her ears in meddling. (Literary/Contemporary from Bethany House)

Split Time:

Fall Back and Find Me by Sarah Hanks — Two resilient women separated by over 150 years are linked forever by their challenges, values, and determination. (Split Time from SonFlower Books)

Thriller/Suspense/Romantic:


Facing the Enemy by DiAnn Mills — When the long-awaited reunion between Risa and her brother, Trenton, ends in tragedy, Risa is riddled with guilt, unable to cope with the responsibility she feels over his death. On leave from the FBI, Risa returns to her former career as an English teacher at a local college, only to see her past and present collide when one of her students, Carson Mercury, turns in an assignment that reads like an eyewitness account of her brother’s murder, with details never revealed publicly. Alarmed by Carson’s inside knowledge of Trenton’s death, Risa reaches out to her former partner at the FBI. Special Agent Gage Patterson has been working a string of baby kidnappings, but he agrees to help look into Carson’s background. Risa and Gage soon discover their cases might be connected as a string of high-value thefts have occurred at properties where security systems were installed by Carson’s stepfather and children have gone missing. There’s a far more sinister plot at play than they ever imagined, and innocent lives are in danger. (Thriller/Suspense/Romantic from Tyndale House)


Seeking Justice by Sharee Stover An agent and her K-9 partner risk their lives in the ultimate mission.
With her partner gravely injured in the line of duty, FBI agent Tiandra Daugherty has one shot to complete her mission. She’ll have to convince her partner’s twin brother, Officer Elijah Kenyon, to take his place undercover in a deadly drug ring. Together they must find justice for his brother and dismantle the gang. But the target is now on them, and the mission could prove fatal. (Thriller/Suspense/Romantic from Love Inspired/Harlequin)

Young Adult:


The Text by Julane Fisher — In 2048, 25 years after a pandemic killed one-third of the world’s population, America is flourishing under the department of Safety Threats and Reinforcement (STaR). STaR keeps citizens safe and healthy STaR’s social media app, Allicio, boasts two billion users. The a power outage shuts down STaR’s health monitors and disables millions of mobile phones. Sixteen-year-old Rami Carlton earned a starting spot on the varsity volleyball team. For fun, she races tech-genius Finley Drake to decipher the online identities of their techie friends. The game is harmless. So they thought. Rami receives a chilling text message that she’s being watched. That night, her mother disappears. Despite thousands of city-wide monitors, STaR’s Reinforcement Division cannot locate Rami’s mom. And Rami’s stalker threatens to kill her brother if she talks to Reinforcement Officers. When Finley hacks the nation’s cellular provider, Connect Mobile, he discovers STaR has a secret. STAR isn’t just watching. They’re manipulating Allicio. And Rami is their next target. (Young Adult from Infinite Teen)

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

Cold Case Revenge by Jessica R. Patch — A kidnapped child. An unsolved cold case. This K-9 is on the trail. (Thriller/Suspense/Romantic)

Daniel’s Oil by Urcelia Teixeira — Keeping a secret is easy. Getting away with it is the hard part. (Thriller/Suspense/Romantic)

Escaping Illusions by Therese Heckenkamp — All she wants is a new beginning, but it will come at a chilling cost. (Thriller/Suspense/Romantic)

Just Be Here by Susan Page Davis — If Nick gets the promotion he’s dreamed of, will it rip him away from the woman he loves? (Contemporary Romance)

Reclaiming the Spy by Lorri Dudley — How can he protect her from himself when she keeps winding up in his arms? (Historical Romance)

The Last Laird of Sapelo by T.M. Brown — Based on the tragic story of Randolph Spalding, the youngest son of Georgia’s most well-known antebellum-era coastal planter and influential political figure, Thomas Spalding. (General Historical)

Sacred Rest by Saundra Dalton-Smith, MD

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Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

Recover your life, renew your energy, restore your sanity

I purchased this book after hearing Dr. Dalton-Smith speak about rest. I realized after listening to her that most of us are living a burned-out life. Everyone needs rest but there are many types of exhaustion.

Discussed in the book are physical rest, mental rest, emotional rest, spiritual rest, social rest, sensory rest, and creative rest. What you must do to achieve each type of rest differs.

It amazed me how much there is to learn about each type. For example, physical rest can’t restore mental rest. The author offers suggestions for readers to begin the process for each one.

What an amazing, helpful book! I just finished it and have already promised to lend it out to two others.

I also suggested it to my Sunday School class as an optional study.

Recommended for exhausted, weary readers searching for rest.

Amazon

The Third Path by Eva Marie Everson

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Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

Finding Intimacy with God on the Path of Questioning

What a wonderful, thought-provoking book!

The author has dug deeply into her faith and the Bible to write this book that naturally draws readers closer to God.

Each chapter digs into a story from the Bible, flawed people who make mistakes just as we all do. There is a Path of Silence, Path of Memory, Path of Questioning, and a Path of Prayer in each chapter that invites readers to pray.

Interesting. Probing. Inspiring. Well done!

I will reread this book when I can take time to absorb it more fully.

Highly recommend!

Amazon

ACFW 2023 Winners Announced!

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ACFW announced the winners of multiple contests at the ACFW Gala on August 26, 2023 during the annual conference. Congratulations to all!

Lifetime Achievement

James Scott Bell

2023 Mentor of the Year

Tari Faris

2023 Agent of the Year

Steve Laube (The Steve Laube Agency)

2023 Editor of the Year 

Becky Monds (HarperCollins Christian Publishing)

2023 Volunteer of the Year

Rachel Hauck

The 2023 Martha Rogers Member Service Award

Brandilyn Collins

2023 ACFW Genesis Winners (Unpublished Writers)           

Contemporary

Leslie DeVooght – The Heartfelt Formula

Historical

Jacinta Meredith – A Picture of the Past

Historical Romance

Erin Mifflin – A Child So Fair

Mystery/Suspense/Thriller

Cindy Rieke – In the Name of Treason

Romance

Lisa Kelley – Last Wish for Tomorrow

Romantic Suspense

Elaine Clampitt – High Altitude Abduction

Speculative

Andra Loy – Inverse

Young Adult

Andra Loy – Echo of Secrets

2023 Carol Awards Winners

Contemporary

The Songs That Could Have Been by Amanda Wen

Kregel Publications

Editors – Dori DeVries Harrell and Janyre Tromp

Historical

The Lost Melody by Joanna Davidson Politano

Revell

Editors – Barbara Barnes and Vicki Crumpton

Historical Romance

Written on the Wind by Elizabeth Camden

Bethany House (Baker Publishing Group)

Editors Luke Hinrichs and Jessica Sharpe

Mystery/Suspense/Thriller

Fallout by Carrie Stuart Parks

Thomas Nelson Fiction (HarperCollins)

Editors – Amanda Bostic and Erin Healey

Novella

While Mortals Sleep (O Little Town collection) by Janyre Tromp

Kregel Publications

Editor Christina Tarabochia                                                                   

Romance

Turn to Me by Becky Wade

Bethany House (Baker Publishing Group)

Editors – Sarah Long and Raela Schoenherr

Romantic Suspense

Word of Honor by Hallee Bridgeman

Revell

Editors – Vicki Crumpton and Jessica English

Short Novel

Hunted in the Wilderness by Kellie VanHorn

Love Inspired (Harlequin)

Editor – Dina Davis

Speculative

Dream of Kings by Sharon Hinck

Enclave Publishing (Oasis Family Media)

Editor – Reagen Reed

Young Adult

Wishtress by Nadine Brandes

Thomas Nelson Fiction (HarperCollins)

Editor – Becky Monds

Debut Author

The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip by Sara Brunsvold

Revell

Editor – Rachel McRae