From Our Past

Fun Facts from my research, This Week in History, etc.

Announcing the Upcoming Civil War Book Release of Tides of Healing!

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by Sandra Merville Hart

I’m thrilled to announce that  Tides of Healing , Book 6 of my Spies of the Civil War Series, will release on February 11, 2025!

Books 4 – 6 of the series are set in historic Vicksburg, Mississippi—a city the Union is as determined to capture as the Confederacy is to retain. Much happens here during the Civil War, not the least of which is spying.

I can hardly believe that the final book in the series will soon be releasing.

You might wonder if authors fall in love with their characters as much as readers. Speaking for myself, I do! It’s fun to spend time with the characters I’ve grown to love on the written page.

Savannah Adair is the last of our three heroines to get to tell her Vicksburg story and she’s been chomping at the bit to show readers what happened.

Savannah has long been friends of Julia and Felicity, whom we first met in Streams of Courage, Book 4, when all three strong women resided in Vicksburg at the beginning of the Civil War.

Here’s a bit about the book:

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. 

Preorder your copy today on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple, and Books2Read.

How Did Thanksgiving Become an American Tradition?

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by Sandra Merville Hart

As an author of several Civil War novels, I’ve read many soldiers’ diaries and daily journals. It’s a fascinating glimpse into army camps, battles, attitudes, beliefs, and even the weather.

One tidbit I learned in a soldier’s diary is that the annual celebration of Thanksgiving in his state took place in October. That made me curious about those early celebrations.

On October 3, 1789, President Washington issued a proclamation declaring Thursday, November 26, 1789, a national day of thanks to God. He reminded Americans that the Almighty’s care and provision had led them through the Revolution and helped them establish a new government and Constitution.

There were public celebrations and church services. Washington attended St. Paul’s Chapel in New York City. Those who were imprisoned for debts in the city weren’t forgotten—Washington gave them food and beer.

The proclamation did not establish Thanksgiving as a national holiday. Presidents John Adams and James Madison issued their own proclamations but none of these established a yearly celebration.

Some states began to choose days for an annual Thanksgiving, with New York as the first in 1817. There was no uniformity of the date selected and not every state participated.

Beginning in 1827, Sarah Josepha Hale, writer of “Mary Had a Little Lamb” and editor of Godey’s Lady Book, wrote letters to presidents and other politicians in hopes they’d establish a national day of Thanksgiving. Those letters continued for 36 years. As the unrest between the North and South escalated, Sarah hoped that declaring the holiday would unite people. She urged President Lincoln to make it a permanent custom and became known as the “Mother of Thanksgiving” for her efforts.

President Lincoln was the one to set aside the last Thursday in November as an annual observance of the day in 1863—during the middle of the Civil War.

In 1941, President Franklin Roosevelt moved the holiday to the fourth Thursday in November to allow for an extra week of Christmas shopping.

Today we celebrate the holiday with family and friends. Turkey is the traditional main dish with a variety of side dishes and pumpkin pie for dessert. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and watching sports are also a mainstay. I enjoy watching Christmas movies after the dishes are done.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sources

History.com Editors. “Thanksgiving 2024,” History.com, 2024/11/20 https://www.history.com/topics/thanksgiving/history-of-thanksgiving.

Maranzani, Barbara. “How the ‘Mother of Thanksgiving’ Lobbied Abraham Lincoln to Proclaim the National Holiday,” History.com, 2024/11/20 https://www.history.com/news/abraham-lincoln-and-the-mother-of-thanksgiving.

Silverman, David J. “Thanksgiving Day,” Britannica, 2024/11/20 https://www.britannica.com/place/Turkey/The-central-massif.

“Thanksgiving (United States),” Wikipedia, 2024/11/20 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving_(United_States).

ACFW New Releases November 2024

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November 2024 New ReleasesMore in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website

Contemporary Romance:
Matchmaking the Cowboy by Emily Conrad — What’s a little covert matchmaking between friends? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published [ACFW QIP]


The Daze Before Christmas by Laurie Germaine — She fled her old life for a new one. Trouble is, she can’t remember why she ran–and now God is prompting her to return. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)


Wishing for Mistletoe by Robin Lee Hatcher — When the heart pens its own holiday romance, even a skeptic can find magic under the mistletoe. (Contemporary Romance from RobinSong, Inc.)


Faking the Shot by Carolyn Miller — Faking the Shot is a fake-dating Christian romance and the fourth book in the Northwest Ice Christian hockey romance series. It can be read as a standalone, and is perfect for fans of banter-laden romance with hope, heart and humor. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)


Rediscovering Christmas by Mindy Obenhaus — She feels she’s lost everything… Will love give her hope? (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])


A Kringle Family Christmas by Miriam Thor — When Bethany Kringle’s brother unexpectedly comes home for Christmas with his friend, Jay, in tow, Bethany shelves her plan to skip the holiday, and instead, with a little help from Jay, makes it a Christmas to remember. (Contemporary Romance from Pelican Book Group)


Guarding Her Christmas Secret by Jill Weatherholt — ‘Tis the season for second chances and a special puppy. (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Contemporary/Women’s Fiction:
Maddie by Dawn Kinzer — Messages scrawled in a century-old cookbook and the residents of a tourist town in the foothills of the Olympic Mountains add important ingredients to the life recipe an ER travel nurse is searching for. (Contemporary/Women’s Fiction, Independently Published)

Historical Romance:
Pretending to be the Mountain Man’s Wife by Misty M. Beller — In the wild mountains of the Montana Territory, the Coulter ranch is a place of family, second chances…and a hidden fortune. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)


Courting the Country Preacher by Angela K. Couch, Carolyn Miller, Naomi Musch, Kari Trumbo — Four inexperienced preachers face a myriad of challenges including those who figure a man of the cloth needs a wife. Can they meet the expectations of “helpful” congregants and be true to their hearts? (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)


An Unexpected Catch by Abbey Downey — Can she count on the pitcher to save her dream, or will his secret destroy their futures? (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)


Investigation of a Journalist by Danielle Grandinetti — A story of love and second chances when secrets come full circle in this suspenseful conclusion to the Harbored in Crow’s Nest series. (Historical Romance from Hearth Spot Press)


The Library by Edwina Kiernan — How can someone keep the peace when there’s never been any peace to keep? (Historical Romance from Moliant Publishing)


Seeking Simon by Susan Pope Sloan — When a mysterious stranger claims to be her fiancé, the fight to save her land turns into a battle for her heart. (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)


Abigail’s Pursuit by Jodie Wolfe — With the Civil War raging, Abigail is on the verge of losing everything, and the other seeks forgiveness from the family he can’t find. Can two wounded hearts find their way back home? (Historical Romance, Independently Published)


Beyond the Horizon by Penny Zeller — She’s desperate to keep her job. He’s desperate for solitude. What is God’s plan in this complicated situation? (Historical Romance from Maplebrook Publishing)

Mystery/Crime:
Seven Days Off: A Mylas Grey Mystery by Luana Ehrlich — Private Investigator Mylas Grey can’t take seven days off—not when an ex-con gives him information that could help him locate a missing school counselor. (Historical Romance from Potter’s Word Publishing)

Romantic Suspense:
Bayou Beginnings by Robin Caroll — In a romantic suspense Louisiana mystery that is set amid historical events, two very different people must come together to survive. (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published)


His Last Text by Rebecca Lake — A romantic anniversary dinner. A heartfelt message. Then silence. (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published)


Deadly Christmas Inheritance by Jessica R. Patch — This holiday, an unexpected gift could be lethal. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired Suspense [Harlequin])

Speculative Fiction/Allegory:
Here Lyeth by Johanna Frank — Answers are buried beneath a grave marker. Only it happens to be her own. (Speculative/Allegory, Independently Published)

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

River of Peril by Sandra Merville Hart — A Civil War volunteer nurse is shocked to learn that her Confederate soldier beau came to her ward overnight with a head wound–and doesn’t remember her. (Historical Romance)

A Christmas Gift by Annette M. Irby — A stateside farmer. An international boy-next-door model. And the Christmas reunion that brings them back together. (Contemporary Romance)

Murder by Half by Dony Jay — A troubled detective with a blue-collar background and an Ivy League degree must risk everything to solve the murder of his high-profile attorney friend—and do so before more people die. (Crime/Suspense)

Sea Thrifts & Thistles by Ruth Kyser — After the unexpected deaths of her parents in a plane crash, Heather Conners makes a discovery that turns her world upside down. (Contemporary Romance)

Where Secrets Lie by Rebecca Lake — Some secrets refuse to stay buried… (Romantic Suspense)

The Perfect Getaway by Nancy Lavo — Riley is tired of looking over her shoulder. Can she trust the small-town superhero with her secret, or will the loyalty she admires in him bring danger to her door? (Contemporary Romance)

On the Right Track by Shaen Layle — On The Right Track is the eighth book in the Mysteries of Cobble Hill Farm Series. (Cozy Mystery)

Julia’s Joy by Susan G. Mathis — She came to claim her inheritance, but the mysterious scarred lighthouse keeper makes her question all her plans. (Historical Romance)

Why the Nations Rage by Aidan Meerman — Casey Cole is three hundred years old but expects to be dead in as many seconds. The brutal regime that governs his home crushes all forms of dissent… and he’s about to put his neck out. (Biblical Suspense/Thriller)

The Lost Daughter’s Irishman by Carolyn Miller — She wants to find a way to live again; he wants to close a deal and move on, until sparks fly and these opposites attract. (Contemporary Romance)

Christmas in Nutfield by Robin Patchen — Come home to Nutfield in these two Christmas novellas, featuring Daniel Nolan, the little boy from Innocent Lies, all grown up, and Caro Neely, from Convenient Lies. (Contemporary Romance)

When Love Overcomes by Denice Perkins — Having everything we want and a plan for our future doesn’t prevent God from abruptly sending our lives in a whole other direction and showing us even greater happiness. (Contemporary Romance)

’Tis the Time, ‘Tis the Season by Chris Posti — Three women in their late fifties learn that change is possible at any age. (General Contemporary)

The Cowboy’s Forgotten Love by Tina Radcliffe — He finally found the love of his life. Now if only he could remember… (Contemporary Romance)

A Country Christmas Collection by Davalynn Spencer — Two Holiday Novellas, each a complete romance with cowboys, a second chance at love, and a feel-good, happily-ever-after! (Contemporary Romance)

Tangled Promises by Lynn U. Watson — Thunderous applause extinguishes her dream and ignites her worst nightmare. (Historical Romance)

Neurifact by Kenneth Dale Watts — A neurological AI tool observes and assesses a unique brainwave phenomenon associated with one F-35C pilot’s impulsive action and arrives at a spiritually based finding. (Military Thriller/Suspense)

To Touch the Earth by Kristy Werner — Love calls her home. But can love last forever? (Contemporary Romance)

2024 Angel Book Award Winners

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The Faith & Fellowship Book Festival announced its 2024 Angel Book Award Winners on Saturday, November 2nd.

Nonfiction

First place – Turn on the Light When Your World Goes Dark by Kristy Jossund

Second place – Uncluttered: Shaping your Heart and Home for What Matters Most by Liana George and Angie Hyche

Third place – Bloom in Your Winter Season by Deborah Malone

Honorable Mention- The Christmas Devotional: Hope & Humor for the Holidays by Michelle Medlock Adams and Andy Clapp

Children’s ages 2-8

First place (tie) – He Meant You to be You by J.J. LeVan, Illustrated by James Newton

and

First place  – Eww! There’s a Bug in My Shoe! By Lisa Hutcheson

Second place – Love Well, my Precious One by Jill Roman Lord, Illustrated by Camila Carrossine

Third place – Angelina, the Traveling Angel by Becky Van Vleet, Illustrated by Courtney Smith

Children’s ages 8-12

First Place – Phooey Kerflooey: Three Kids and a Puppy vs The Squirrel of the Apocalypse by Kristen Joy Wilks

Second Place – Road Trip Rescue, Book 1 in Road Trip Rescue, by Becca Wierwille   

Third Place – Fingerprint Devotions: 40 Devotions to Help You Realize You are a Kid Uniquely Created by God for a Purpose by Sandra Kay Chambers 

Honorable Mention – Preach It, Grace: A Girl’s Testimony of Faith, Book 5 in Dream Pony Riders by Susan Count    

Young Adult

First Place – Offsides by Lori Z. Scott

Second Place – Rise of the Y: The Y Chronicles Book 1 by Angela D. Shelton   

Third Place – The Magi of Miriam: The Boy Who Saved the Kingdom by MK Sweeney      

Historical Fiction

First place – The Girl From the Papers by Jennifer L. Wright

Second place – Pressed Together: A Post-WWII Romance in Rural Ohio, Book 1 in The Together Series by Kim Garee

Third place – Journey of the Shepherd Woman, Part of: Remarkable Women in the Bible by Carlene Havel and Sharon Faucheux

Honorable Mention – Valiant Heart, Book 5 in the Frontier Hearts Saga by Colleen Hall

Mystery/Suspense

First place – Grave Secrets, Book 2 in Pennsylvania Parks  by Elle E. Kay

Second place – Justice Delayed: A Christian Romantic Suspense Novel, Book 1 in The Seeking Justice Series by Sarah Hamaker

Third place – Grave Consequences, Book 3 in Pennsylvania Parks                                                    by Elle E. Kay

Honorable Mention – The Case of Mistaken Identity, Book 2 in A Mac & Sam Mystery by Deborah Sprinkle

Contemporary

First place – Dedicated to the One I Love by Beth K. Vogt                                

Second place – The Rare Jewel of Everleigh Wheaton, Book 1 in Treasures of Halstead Manor by Susan L. Tuttle

Third place – Fall Back and Find Me, A Split-Time Sisters in Arms Novel by Sara Hanks

Honorable Mention – Gypsy for God by Yvonne M. Morgan

Speculative

First place – What Legends Become, Book 2 in Legends of Light by Daphne Self

Second place – Phantom’s Blade, Book 4 in The Vindicators by Jake Tyson

Third place – Resurgence of Dawn, Book 5 in Quest of Fire  by Brett Armstrong

Congratulations to all the winners!

The Spies of the Civil War Series

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“History will never know how indebted it is to folks like you in ending the war.” ~ River of Peril

People spied on their government, their soldiers, and their neighbors during the Civil War. Union spies in the South lived dangerously. Everyday citizens, including enslaved and free black spies, became heroes to speed the war’s end.

Secret messages were sewn into hems, vests, and coats. Cyphered messages were hidden in bodices, hoop skirts, trees, hats, styled hair, books, custard dishes, hollowed-out eggs, and even in vaults with a dead body. Raised/lowered shades and clothes hanging on a line might also be clues for spies.

Some spies were already actors. Others disguised themselves to deliver secrets and to protect their identity. There were female spies who disguised themselves as men. If they could manage to remain anonymous, it saved them from their neighbors’ retaliation during and after the war. This was especially true in the South because the North emerged as victorious.

Many spies were caught during the Civil War and often imprisoned for days or weeks, up to a year. Confederate spies could sign an Oath of Allegiance to the United States to be released from Union prisons. Both sides executed spies.

For reasons already discussed, history doesn’t record most of Mississippi’s spies. Two Mississippi spies, Robbie Woodruff and Philip Henson, didn’t slip into obscurity.

Robbie Woodruff was a courageous farm girl who fetched Confederate messages from town and hid them in a hollow stump for couriers. Philip Henson, one of the Union army’s greatest spies living in the South, was captured and imprisoned for several months.

Key characters are spies for the Union in River of Peril, Book 5 in my Spies of the Civil War Series. The spies in my Vicksburg portion of the series (Books 4 – 6) are fictional. The stories show the type of challenges faced by historical spies.

My research for this novel began with a trip to Vicksburg, Mississippi. I was greatly inspired by the battlefield, the museums, and the people in the historic city. That inspiration—and a whole lot of research!—led to the writing of Streams of Courage, Book 4, River of Peril, Book 5, and Tides of Healing, Book 6.   

Avenue of Betrayal, Book 1,is set in the Union capital of Washington City (Washington DC) in 1861, where a surprising number of Confederate sympathizers and spies lived. Boulevard of Confusion and Byway to Danger are set in Richmond, the Confederate capital in 1862. Actual historical spies touch the lives of our fictional family. The heroines in Books 1 – 3 are two sisters and their cousins. Another set of characters begin with Book 4, and three friends are the heroines in Books 4 -6.

Through both real and fictional characters, this series highlights activities spies were involved in and some of the motives behind their decisions.

I invite you to read the whole Spies of the Civil War Series!

More about River of Peril, Sandra’s newest release:

Amnesia stole his memory, and now he’s fighting for the wrong side.

Orphaned and alone at sixteen, Felicity has found solace in serving others as a volunteer nurse. When she discovers her Confederate soldier beau, Luke Shea, among the wounded in her ward, her worst nightmares come true. Luke’s shrapnel wound has stolen his memory, leaving him with no recollection of their love or his past. As Felicity struggles with the loss of the man she once knew, she turns her attention to the service of her broken country. But the more she learns about the brutal war, the more she realizes she can no longer stay silent. She becomes a Union spy, plunging herself into danger.

When Luke Shea awakes in a hospital with no memory of the last five years, he’s shocked to learn he’s been fighting against the Union he once so strongly supported. And when he learns of his past courtship with his nurse, Felicity, he struggles to understand the man he was and what happened in those missing years. Determined to atone for his Confederate past, Luke also joins the Union cause as a spy.

As danger lurks at every turn, only a Divine hand can not only protect their lives, but give them a second chance for love and the future they both crave.

Available on Amazon,  Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple Books, andBooks2Read.

The Legacy of Captain William Dodge: Civil War Hero and Lighthouse Keeper

/ sandramervillehart

By Susan G Mathis

Welcome back to friend and fellow author, Susan G. Mathis! She’s sharing a bit of background for her newest release, Julia’s Joy.

In the annals of maritime history, few figures shine as brightly as Captain William Dodge, the first keeper of the Sister Island Lighthouse in the Thousand Islands, NY. This man was not just a guardian of the St. Lawrence River and his ships but also a hero of the Civil War and a remarkable man.

Before stepping into the role of lighthouse keeper, Dodge was a captain—a hero forged in the crucible of the Civil War. He fought with the New York volunteers, but not without his share of scars. His left foot was badly wounded in battle, so he limped the rest of his life.

But he wasn’t just a hero and a keeper of the light. He was a craftsman too. Before the lighthouse, he was a man of many trades—a cabinetmaker, a tax collector, a census enumerator. A life woven with diverse endeavors, each one contributing to the rich testimony of his existence.

In 1870, following his appointment as the first keeper of Sister Island Lighthouse, he served faithfully and cheerfully. For twenty-three years, he tended to this tower, the keeper of both the light and its stories. As he worked, he prepared his son to take his place as the second lightkeeper. Known as a stalwart guardian of the river, guiding ships through stormy nights, he taught his son well.

Through the story of Captain William Dodge, we discover a man who not only illuminated the paths of ships but also shaped the lives of those around him. His legacy endures, a beacon of resilience and craftsmanship, woven into the very fabric of Sister Island and the hearts of those who remember him.

About Julia’s Joy:

She came to claim her inheritance, but the mysterious scarred lighthouse keeper makes her question all her plans.

When Julia Collins reluctantly sets foot on Sister Island, compelled by her wealthy grandmother’s will, she is intent on claiming her inheritance and moving on. But when she experiences the peaceful, faith-filled island life, and connects with the handsome lightkeeper, William, Julia finds herself confronting her open wounds from her parents’ deaths.

William Dodge, lightkeeper of Sister Island, harbors a heart hardened by a past betrayal. Between that and his chronic pleurisy, he wants nothing to do with love. But when Julia arrives on the island bursting with vitality and unconventional notions, William’s world is turned upside down. As she chips away at the walls William has built for himself, he finds his reluctance waning.

But just as love begins to blossom between them, Julia is faced with a tempting proposal from a prominent Brockville family. Will she succumb to societal expectations or choose the richness of her island life and the love of the steadfast lightkeeper?

About Susan:

Susan G Mathis is an international award-winning, multi-published author of stories set in the beautiful Thousand Islands, her childhood stomping ground in upstate NY. Susan has been published more than thirty times in full-length novels, novellas, and non-fiction books. She has thirteen in her fiction line including, The Fabric of Hope: An Irish Family Legacy, Christmas Charity, Katelyn’s Choice, Devyn’s Dilemma, Sara’s Surprise, Reagan’s Reward, Colleen’s Confession, Peyton’s Promise, Rachel’s Reunion, Mary’s Moment, A Summer at Thousand Island House, Libby’s Lighthouse, and Julia’s Joy, the second in her three-book lighthouse series. Her book awards include three Illumination Book Awards, four American Fiction Awards, three Indie Excellence Book Awards, five Literary Titan Book Awards, two Golden Scroll Awards, and a Selah Award. Susan is also a published author of two premarital books, two children’s picture books, stories in a dozen compilations, and hundreds of published articles. Susan makes her home in Northern Virginia and enjoys traveling around the world but returns each summer to enjoy the Thousand Islands. Visit www.SusanGMathis.com/fiction for more.

Where can people find you online?

Susan’s website: https://www.susangmathis.com/fiction-books

Buy links: Amazon | Barnes&Nobles | Wild Heart Books

Julia’s Joy book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rq7XLUohjrA

Announcing River of Peril, Book 5, Releases Today!

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River of Peril, Book 5 in my Spies of the Civil War Series, releases today, October 15th!

What endorsers are saying about the book:

Sandra Merville Hart is skilled at taking readers into the hearts and lives of the common people during the Civil War. ~Cindy Thomson, Author of the Ellis Series and the Daughters of Ireland Series

River of Peril is filled with romance and intrigue! ~Deborah Sprinkle, Award-winning author of the Trouble in Pleasant Valley Series and the Mac and Sam Mystery Series

With her meticulous level of research, her proven ability as a natural storyteller, and her ability to weave all these elements into a riveting narrative, Sandra has again crafted a book you won’t be able to put down. ~Kevin Spencer, Historian—ON THIS DAY in North Carolina History

What reviewers are saying about the book:

Well researched and worth a read!

River of Peril is a page-turner story of love and loss, faith and hope amidst life’s trials, including war.

I especially liked how the story focused not only on the characters’ daily lives but on the city of Vicksburg, Mississippi as a whole. It was a very hard time for all the residents there, not just the soldiers. You really get a feel for all that was happening in that time period. An excellent story and one filled with emotion, forgiveness and danger.

Remembering can be worse than forgetting!

The author keeps a good balance of hope throughout the story, because even in war, there is hope in God. The details are clear and engaging to the point you feel like you are there, feeling everything along with the characters – the good and bad.
I enjoy studying history, and this novel delivered for me. I look forward to the next in the series.

The extensive research done by this author shines clearly in this historical novel which is both informative and very engrossing.

Back cover blurb:

Amnesia stole his memory, and now he’s fighting for the wrong side.

Orphaned and alone at sixteen, Felicity has found solace in serving others as a volunteer nurse. When she discovers her Confederate soldier beau, Luke Shea, among the wounded in her ward, her worst nightmares come true. Luke’s shrapnel wound has stolen his memory, leaving him with no recollection of their love or his past. As Felicity struggles with the loss of the man she once knew, she turns her attention to the service of her broken country. But the more she learns about the brutal war, the more she realizes she can no longer stay silent. She becomes a Union spy, plunging herself into danger.

When Luke Shea awakes in a hospital with no memory of the last five years, he’s shocked to learn he’s been fighting against the Union he once so strongly supported. And when he learns of his past courtship with his nurse, Felicity, he struggles to understand the man he was and what happened in those missing years. Determined to atone for his Confederate past, Luke also joins the Union cause as a spy.

As danger lurks at every turn, only a Divine hand can not only protect their lives, but give them a second chance for love and the future they both crave.

Pick up your copy today on Amazon!

Once you read it or any other of my other books, I’d appreciate a review!

And you won’t have long to wait for Tides of Healing, Book 6, where you will read the story of Savannah and Travis. It will release on February 11th

Next Book in Spies of the Civil War Series Will Release Soon!

/ sandramervillehart

My Spies of the Civil Series is continuing with Felicity and Luke’s story! River of Peril, Book 5, will release on October 15th!

Felicity Danielson, a volunteer nurse, is shocked to learn that her beau, Confederate soldier Luke Shea, came to her ward overnight with a head wound. Worse, he has amnesia and doesn’t remember her. This is a nightmare from which neither of them can awaken.

Back cover blurb:

Amnesia stole his memory, and now he’s fighting for the wrong side.

Orphaned and alone at sixteen, Felicity has found solace in serving others as a volunteer nurse. When she discovers her Confederate soldier beau, Luke Shea, among the wounded in her ward, her worst nightmares come true. Luke’s shrapnel wound has stolen his memory, leaving him with no recollection of their love or his past. As Felicity struggles with the loss of the man she once knew, she turns her attention to the service of her broken country. But the more she learns about the brutal war, the more she realizes she can no longer stay silent. She becomes a Union spy, plunging herself into danger.

When Luke Shea awakes in a hospital with no memory of the last five years, he’s shocked to learn he’s been fighting against the Union he once so strongly supported. And when he learns of his past courtship with his nurse, Felicity, he struggles to understand the man he was and what happened in those missing years. Determined to atone for his Confederate past, Luke also joins the Union cause as a spy.

As danger lurks at every turn, only a Divine hand can not only protect their lives, but give them a second chance for love and the future they both crave.

Preorder your copy today on Amazon!

ACFW New Releases October 2024

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October 2024 New ReleasesMore in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website

General Contemporary:


I’ll Be Home by Darlene L. Turner, by Sara Davison, Helena Smrcek, Melanie Stevenson — With chaos and confusion all around them, can they find their way home this Christmas? The people in these four stories are all searching for something—an escaped convict, a job promotion from a love interest, connection to a lost parent, answers across time. Christmas should be a time of wonder and celebration, but the obstacles each faces seem insurmountable. Perhaps they will find what they are seeking during this season of miracles and hope. Or maybe, with God’s help, they will discover that the longing of their hearts takes them to places—and people—they didn’t even know they’d been searching for. (General Contemporary, Independently Published)


Chokecherry Valley Collection by Jean Rezab — One accident. Two devastated families. Paul Richmond’s life changed in an instant when his wife and seven-year-old daughter die in a car accident. He struggles to move forward with this huge change. As his two-year sobriety anniversary approaches, he knows he’s on the edge of a relapse. He takes a sabbatical from his work as a doctor and works on his in-law’s farm to get perspective and try to come to terms with his new life. What if Paul could have the one thing he desires most? To see and speak to his daughter again. (General Contemporary, Independently Published)

Contemporary Romance:

A Match Made at Christmas by Amy R. Anguish, Sarah Anne Crouch, Lori DeJong, Heather Greer — A mischievous little boy, an interfering friend, a committee of Christmas planners, and a quartet of teenage elves play matchmakers in this fun collection of Christmas romances. (Contemporary Romance, Scrivenings Press)


The Warrior’s B&B by Jennie Atkins — Is it possible for a man to fall in love with two different women and never suspect they are the same person? (Contemporary Romance from Amazon)


The Dream 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)


One Starry Christmas by Mary A. Felkins — A pastor with a past faces his greatest challenge. Redemption. (Contemporary Romance from Gardenia Press)


Wild at Heart by Alyssa Schwarz — She craves adventure. He’s had enough adventure for a lifetime. But when these two friends find themselves searching the skies for an endangered hawk, they’ll find there’s more at stake than the future of Wild Rose Ridge. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

Historical:


Brave by Mesu Andrews — In the tumultuous world of ancient Israel, Ahinoam–a fierce and unconventional Kenite woman–flees her family farm with her dagger-wielding father to join the ragtag band of misfits led by the shepherd-turned-warrior David ben Jesse. As King Saul’s treasonous accusations echo through the land, Ahinoam’s conviction that David’s anointing makes him Yahweh’s chosen king propels her on a perilous journey to Moab, only to encounter hardship and betrayal. (Historical from Bethany House Publishing)


All We Thought We Knew by Michelle Shocklee — In the midst of pain and loss two women must come face-to-face with their own assumptions about what they thought they knew about themselves and others. What they discover will lead to a far greater appreciation of their own legacies and the love of those dearest to them. (Historical from Tyndale House)

Historical Romance:


One Special Christmas by Amanda Cabot — It will take a miracle to salvage her dreams, but Christmas is the season of miracles, isn’t it? (Historical Romance from ByDand Publishing)


A Christmas at Hotel del Coronado by Kathleen Denly — Her entire life, Eleanore Wainright has been molded to fit the ideal society wife in the glittering world of New York’s elite. Her father’s aspirations for her are clear: marry a man of wealth and status and secure their family’s future. But when she arrives at the Hotel del Coronado with intentions to do just that, Eleanore’s carefully laid plans are thrown into disarray when she comes face to face with Thomas Harding, the man who shattered her heart and disappeared without a trace. (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)


Beyond Shattered Dreams by Cynthia Roemer — After months in a Confederate prison camp, Private Will Everett boards the Sultana eager to return home and leave behind the horrors of war. One day into the voyage, the overcrowded steamboat explodes, rendering Will injured and unable to recall his identity. With only a pocket watch and the name Will E. etched inside to guide him, Will begins a relentless quest to find his forgotten past. (Historical Romance from Scrivenings Press)


Healing Hearts by Sherida Stewart — Two wounded hearts. His shattered by grief, hers burdened by guilt. Will these two hurting hearts be healed by love and faith? A frontier “Beauty and the Beast” tale set in New Mexico Territory. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)

Middle-grade Chapter books:


The Beastie of Brambly Bald by Amanda Cleary Eastep — Jack Finch’s plan to gobble up tons of turkey over Thanksgiving Break and work on the Tree Street Kids’ fort has been foiled. Instead, the Finches are traveling to the mountains of North Carolina to visit grandparents Jack barely knows. Thank goodness his best friends Ellison and Roger are coming with him to the cabin on Brambly Bald mountain. But something is lurking in the forest, and soon Jack uncovers a secret bigger than Bigfoot. When the kids come face to face with a real threat, will Jack find a way to protect his friends? Jack braves danger, finds new branches on his family tree, and discovers what it means to be rooted in God’s great family. (Middle-grade/Chapter Books from Moody Publishers)

Mystery/Suspense/Thriller:


Time to Pay by Susan Page Davis — A near miss for Tony throws the squad into high gear. Captain Harvey Larson is summoned by the mayor to help solve a crime she doesn’t want publicized. Was the caller threatening her or her husband? Meanwhile, the detectives in the Priority Unit are chasing down other criminals. (Mystery [Police Procedural] from Tea Tin Press)


70 North by Kimberley Woodhouse — In this thrilling finale, mysteries deepen, faith is tested, and the pulse of cyber threats intensifies against the striking backdrop of Deadhorse, Alaska. (Contemporary Suspense from Kregel Publications)

Romantic Suspense:


Terminal Danger by Jerusha Agen — When a busload of schoolchildren disappears, Phoenix Gray knows the kidnapper is the unidentified serial killer she’s spent her life trying to catch. This time, she’ll find the killer and bring him to justice no matter what it takes. She and her Phoenix K-9 Security and Detection Agency join the search for the hostages, but they aren’t the only ones who want the criminal captured. (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published [ACFW QIP])


Finding Amanda by Robin Patchen — A gripping tale of trauma, justice, and the extraordinary strength of a man who’ll do anything to protect the woman he loves. (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published [ACFW QIP])


Search and Detect by Terri Reed — When her home is destroyed by a bomb, Zoe and her little girl need protection and FBI agent Chase Rawlston takes on the job while determining if the bombing is related to the serial killer he’s tracking. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])


Assigned to Protect by Melanie D. Snitker — Police Officer Jenny Durant and FBI Agent Blake Patterson are assigned to protect a witness who is testifying in a high-profile case. Before she can testify, a bomb goes off at the courthouse, throwing everything into chaos. With multiple casualties and another missing defendant, it’s impossible to know for sure who the actual target was, and whether this attack is only the beginning… (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published)


Guarding Truth by Kelly Underwood — The one thing that Former Army Ranger turned elite bodyguard Juliette Montgomery regrets is never telling fellow solider Caleb Styles her true feelings. But how could she? They were co-workers, and then the guy went and saved her life. And that turned out to be the one thing that cost them their relationship. So Juliette has moved on, trying to forget Caleb—and her feelings. Caleb hasn’t forgotten her either. But he has no idea she now lives in Savannah, Georgia…especially since his life is full as guardian of his niece, Ivy, after her parents were killed.… (Romantic Suspense from Sunrise Publishing)


Unexpected Witness by Penny Zeller — Nurse Mila Casey did not expect to witness a murder in the clinic’s parking lot. Nor did she imagine seeking protection from the at-large killer would land her on a secluded ranch owned by handsome, but standoffish, Roarke Brenneman. Mila finds herself in the center of ever-growing danger as the police are unable to locate the suspect. When the protection of the ranch is compromised and Mila’s location is discovered, can she, with Roarke’s aid, stay one step ahead of a crazed murderer who intends to silence her… (Romantic Suspense from Maplebrook Publishing)

Speculative Fiction:


The Castle Rose by Tabitha Caplinger — Bastian Roux lived and died a hundred years ago. Kind of. He certainly feels like nothing more than a ghost as he haunts the abandoned Castle Rose Theatre, his only solace found in the notes of his piano. That is until Odette arrives. (Speculative Urban Fantasy from Blue Ink Press)

Western:


Into the Sunset by Mary Connealy — To finally escape the clutches of her controlling husband and the threat of being recommitted to an asylum, Ginny Rutledge enlists the help of her friends, Maeve O’Toole and Dakota Harlan. Fleeing their own tumultuous pasts, the group embarks on a journey to prove Ginny’s sanity. However, as they confront the shadows they wish they could forget, danger looms from unexpected places. (Western from Bethany House)

 

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

Sundancer’s Joy by Elsie Davis — Where hope and healing unite… (Contemporary Romance)

A Codebreaker’s Christmas Surprise by Anne Greene — A secret kept by the US Government for 80 years finally revealed. (Historical Romance)

Fellowship of the Frazzled Moms by Stephanie Paige King — One mom’s simple act of crossing the cul-de-sac ignites a movement for an entire community of women. (General Contemporary)

In Pursuit of the Truth by Melanie D. Snitker — When the situation escalates to danger, it’s up to Nate to keep them safe. (Romantic Suspense)

The Reluctant Pioneer by Julie McDonald Zander — In 1847, with her husband and four young sons, a pregnant mother crosses the Oregon Trail, a two-thousand-mile journey to the Pacific Northwest. When tragedy strikes, she must find the strength to continue. (Western)

ACFW New Book Releases September 2024

/ sandramervillehart

September 2024 New ReleasesMore in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website

Contemporary General:


Kristen by Dawn M Klinge — In this heartwarming tale, discover the extraordinary potential that lies within embracing the present and opening one’s heart to the unanticipated blessings of life’s sweetest surprises.(Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

Contemporary Romance:


Escape to Whispering Creek by Barbara M Britton — Can a gregarious office manager and rehabilitating business owner find love while fighting accusations of white-collar crime (Contemporary Romance from White Rose Publishing [Pelican])


Before We Were Us by Denise Hunter — A temporary position at a rustic resort leads Lauren to the love of her life and a drastic career change. But on the eve of her engagement, an unfortunate fall leaves her unable to remember any of it. (Contemporary Romance from HarperCollins Christian Publishing)


The Farmer and Adele by Candice Sue Patterson — Second chances aren’t for the faint of heart. (Contemporary Romance Independently Published [ACFW QIP])

Historical:


Patriot at the River by Jayna Baas — With the help of some unlikely allies, a young Patriot militiaman must save his settlement from the man who had a hand in his father’s death. (Historical, Independently Published)


New Star by Lana Christian — You may know about the Wise Men’s part in Jesus’ story—but do you know the Wise Men’s story? (OR) How far would you go to protect what you believe in? (Historical from Scrivenings Press)

Historical Romance:


The Gamekeeper’s Reluctant Bride by Elva Cobb Martin — She fled from a gilded cage, only to find herself trapped in a marriage of obligation. (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)


Love and Chocolate by Linda Shenton Matchett — She just needs a job. He wants a career. Is there room in their hearts for love? (Historical Romance from Shortwave Press)


Virginia by Shannon McNear — Return to the “what if” questions surrounding the Lost Colony and explore the possible fate of Virginia Dare–the first English child born in the New World. What happened to her after her grandfather John White returned to England and the colony he established disappeared into the mists of time? Legends abound, but she was indeed a real girl who, if she survived to adulthood, must have also become part of the legacy that is the people of the Outer Banks. (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)


A Token of Love by Carrie Turansky — In this heartfelt dual-time tale, bestselling author Carrie Turansky weaves a story of two women whose lives intertwine through their shared pursuit of love, truth, and justice (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker Publishing Group])

Middle-grade Chapter books:


Freedom Through the Narrow Gate by Mark David Pullen — Follow Jacob as he leaves the safety of the mouse village for a taste of blackberries and a daring adventure, only to come face to face with the menacing Swamp Rats and their vicious leader, Caine. (Middle-grade/Chapter Books from Morgan James Publishing)


Road Trip Return by Becca Wierwille — A twelve-year-old boy must save his brother from making the biggest mistake of his life—even if that means embarking on an international adventure to the last place in the world he wants to go. (Middle-grade/Chapter Books from Beloved Chronicles LLC)

Romance:


A Journey for Amy by Diane Craver — As the feelings between Amy and Joe grow deeper, can they overcome their dissimilar faiths, or will their differences pull them apart? (Romance from Vinspire Publishing)

Romance – Amish:


A Lancaster Amish Christmas by Anne Blackburne, Amy Clipston, Amy Lillard and Mindy Steele — Four Stories of Romance by Four Authors set in the Heart of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania’s Amish Country. (Amish Romance from Barbour Publishing)

Romantic Suspense:


Lethal Standoff by DiAnn Mills — A female negotiator and a male investigative journalist work place their lives in danger to seek the release of undocumented immigrants hostages from kidnappers who harbor desperate secrets. (Romantic Suspense from Tyndale House)


K-9 Ranch Protection by Darlene L Turner — Police constable Izzy Tremblay knows her father’s death was no accident, so when she finally discovers a lead and is immediately attacked, her suspicions are confirmed. For protection, she takes refuge with her ex-partner, Austin Murray, on his K-9 ranch while she races to uncover the truth. But with danger still lurking, can they stay alive long enough to take down a killer? (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])


No Forgetting Providence by Lee Wimmer — Running from faith led DR on a path of untold success, but also put crosshairs on him, is it providence, or is it something else? (Romantic Suspense from Hightower Publications)

Western:


Heidi’s Faith by Jill Dewhurst — God uses a painting and a young man helping his neighbors to strengthen a young woman’s faith and enable her to overcome debilitating fear following a traumatic event. (Western from Independently Published)

Young Adult:


The Immortal Abyss by Katherine Briggs — Nations rise and fall in the aftermath of war over the Eternity Gate. The corrupted desert throne stands empty, and the Immortal Abyss awakens. Drought ravages the continent, and people long for the rebirth of a starpalm, who will rise from among mortals and end their judgment. (Young Adult from Enclave Publishing [Oasis Family Media])

 

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

Murder Goes Caroling by Malissa Chapin — Ringing in the holidays just hit a sour note. With mayhem threatening to turn festive carols into dirges, can a gifted pianist unmask a nasty scrooge? (Cozy Mystery)

The Italian Musician’s Sanctuary by Danielle Grandinetti — Romance, history and intrigue at Our House on Sycamore Street. (General Historical)

The Marble Hill Crime Blotter by BD Lawrence — Life in a small town isn’t always as serene as one might think. The Marble Hill Crime Blotter is a series of thrilling stories that follow Police Chief Tom Petrosky and State Police Forensics Specialist Patricia Johnson. (Mystery/police procedural)

La Elegida para Harley by Heidi Gray McGill — Esperaban una novia por encargo y obtuvieron más de lo que esperaban. (They were expecting a custom bride and got more than they bargained for.) (General Historical)

Hidden Danger by Gail Pallotta — Left at the altar, Emily Hanover flees to Sky High Campground to put her life back together, but danger strikes in the night. Harassed by a man who seems to disappear into thin air, Emily and Nick, the security guard, discover a sinister plot, never dreaming danger could bring romance. (Romantic Suspense)

Captured in Frame by Laura Thomas — Desperate to begin a new chapter after a heartbreaking betrayal, Canadian photographer Georgia Brooks retreats to her quaint English cottage—only to discover she could be in possession of incriminating evidence framing a criminal ring in the ugly underbelly of the art world (Romantic Suspense)