Review

Spark of the Revolution by Megan Soja

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Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

Harbor of Spies, Book 1

1773, Boston

Patience Abbott leaves England with her brother at their father’s urging after their mother’s death. The siblings board a ship to Boston to reunite with their father, whose job as a sailor had kept him from his wife and children for months and even years at a time. Patience learns the shocking news that her father has remarried. She and Will now have a stepmother and stepsister. Patience wonders if it’s possible to be close to her father again.

Blacksmith Josiah Wagner watches as the Eleanor pulls into the harbor with a cargo of tea. He has no family, yet his active, peaceful membership in the Sons of Liberty for the past four years has given him a greater purpose. He and the other patriots aren’t happy to see another boatload of tea, but meeting Patience searching for someone at the docks is a pleasant surprise. Her lost look reminds him of his arrival in Boston at the age of eleven, an orphan. He shows her the kindness no one showed him, something that impacts both of them.

Her brother soon decides to support the patriots’ cause while Patience struggles to understand all that is happening. Her loyalist father runs a shop that sells tea shipped from England. She believes Josiah sides with her brother. The man her father wants her to marry, Edward Cunningham, shares his views. Who is right?

Both the hero and heroine have suffered significant losses, which give them a deep yearning for family and belonging. I was drawn into their struggles and the gentle romance unfolding, and the story grew to become a page-turner for me.

The author does an excellent job of showing the escalating tensions that divided families and neighbors even before the American Revolutionary War. Readers learn a bit of history as a natural part of the story.

Recommended for readers who enjoy novels set in colonial times and for those who enjoy inspirational historical romances.

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Colors of the Ocean by Cheryl Fitzgerald

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Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

At thirteen, Roxi McKay never wanted to sail around the world with her grandparents. This is her mother’s choice to send her daughter away for two years so she can concentrate on her acting career. Roxi will call her mother at the end of the first year to tell her if she’s ready to come home. Will Mom want her? Roxi has overheard people talking about her rotten attitude—she can’t seem to help herself.

Mama Carol prays this trip will draw her closer to her granddaughter—and draw Roxi closer to God. Sailing around the world is her and her husband’s dream to share with Roxi, but Roxi’s snarly attitude makes close quarters difficult. They all make friends among boaters on the same adventure.

This young adult novel is filled with sticky family relationships, beautiful scenery, island settings, and dangers inherent to sailing the ocean. Unexpected twists and the appeal of beautiful settings kept me turning pages. The story is told from the viewpoint of Roxi and Mama Carol.

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The Revolutionary War and George Washington’s Army in American History by Tom McGowen

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Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

An interest in our country’s 250th Anniversary has led me to read several books on the topic this year. I check out a variety of books to aid my understanding.

This nonfiction book is written for teens, yet it is also good for adults. The author chronicles the battles that began in April of 1775, and lead on to victory in Virginia.

The author’s explanations of customs and descriptions of battle locations deepen the reader’s understanding.

A timeline of events is especially helpful. Maps and a glossary are included.

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More than a Fleeting Romance by Sandra Lou Taylor

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Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

A Hadley Hope Story

By 1852, Eleanor Foogleman’s family had lived in Indiana for months. Because her mother is bedridden while waiting for her baby’s birth, Eleanor has helped her father build the cabin as well as the household chores. There have been several miscarriages, making Pa angrier by the year. Only Eleanor and her five-year-old sister have survived. When Pa takes Eleanor to town for the first time, he warns her not to catch any man’s eye. Of course not. Pa’s not giving up her free labor for nothing.

The shy girl captures the attention of James Hadley, the town’s blacksmith, but it’s clear that her pa doesn’t approve.

Unbelievable tragedy awaits Eleanor.

The main character has difficulty trusting men because of her father. That is demonstrated very well in this novella. Tragedy, unexpected events, and sympathy for the main character kept me turning pages. Understandable themes are mentioned, yet are not fully developed, themes that would have deepened the story.  

The book can be read in about two hours.

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Listen to Your Heart by Ane Mulligan

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Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

Spotlight Series, Book 2

Autumn Brown is thrilled to join the small staff at the SS Spotlight Theatre. She’s even happier to be hired without anyone knowing of her connection to her famous grandmother. Unlike the well-known actress whom she hasn’t seen in years, Autumn prefers spreadsheets over the bright lights. Her job as production manager is her dream.

She loves the team and longs to be part of the theater’s family, especially since her estranged grandmother is her only surviving relative. Then her grandmother pays an unexpected visit…

The lovable cast of characters, along with unexpected twists, made this book a page-turner. The love and friendship between the owners made the barn theater an appealing place to spend time. The story is told from the viewpoint of Autumn and one of the owners.

As a reader, I was quickly drawn into the world of the theater. The author’s understanding of the various jobs involved in putting on a production shines through in this book. A glossary of terms at the beginning was very helpful in understanding the lingo.

An enjoyable read! I want to spend more time with these characters and go back to read the first book in the series. Hopefully, there will be a Book 3!

Recommended for readers of contemporary women’s fiction.

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Sudden Return by Andrew Roth

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Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

Mike Harper left his family, his girlfriend, and his small town the night after high school graduation and hasn’t been back. He’d always expected to hit it big somewhere. That hasn’t happened.

Two men run away from an apartment in Mike’s building after shots are fired. Mike rushes in to find Detective Ben Carlyle administering first aid to Hector, a guy known to sell drugs at all hours from his apartment. Mike steals $100,000 while the officer is busy. Mrs. Kline, his only friend in Kansas City, feels that the money is a test from God. She doesn’t know much about the Lord or His ways. Mike doesn’t remember much from attending church during childhood. Mrs. Kline encourages him to head home, heal his broken relationships, and only do good with the money. It mustn’t be used for himself. Mike heeds her warning and leaves that night.  

High school teacher, Erin Miller, loves her job, her daughter Daisy, and Mike’s family, yet struggles to make ends meet. She still loves Mike, who didn’t know about her pregnancy before he left town. No calls. No visits. Nothing for ten years. How will he react to learning he has a daughter now that he’s home?

The police chief isn’t too concerned about the missing money. Detective Carlyle finds Mike’s hasty exit from town suspicious. He decides to pay a visit to Mike’s hometown.

Three characters—including Mike, the main character—are on a faith journey. Several secondary characters have a strong faith that they discuss with those searching for God’s leading as a natural part of the story.

Believable characters face real challenges throughout the story. The author weaves a spiritual journey along with the drama, especially for the hero, who makes some bad decisions. Plenty of surprises kept me flipping pages. Well-written.

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Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

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Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

Winner of the John Newbery Medal

In 1943, ten-year-old Annamarie Johansen lives with her family in Copenhagen, Denmark. Her country surrendered to the Germans early in World War II, because their army was small. There have been soldiers on nearly every street corner for years. Annamarie has almost grown used to them. Then, during the celebration for the Jewish New Year, her friend Ellen learns that the soldiers are coming to “relocate” them. No one knows where they’ll go.

Annamarie’s family hides Ellen, pretending to be her sister. Peter, who had planned to marry Annamarie’s sister, hides her parents. The soldiers search for Ellen’s family in the middle of the night at Annamarie’s apartment. They are curious, but they leave.

The next day, Annamarie’s mother takes the girls to her brother’s home.

This children’s book snagged my attention from the beginning. Readers discover what the Nazis did in Denmark during the war. The bravery shown by the characters tugged at my heart. The author weaves a believable story that kept me turning pages.

Well-written and poignant, this story illustrates the danger faced by everyone who helped the Jews escape from the Germans.  

Recommended for children aged 10-13.

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Pretending to be the Mountain Man’s Wife by Misty M. Beller

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Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

Brothers of Sapphire Ranch, Book 6

Jess McPharland is desperate to escape from her cruel father before he discovers her secret. She’s not sure what his miners dig to find in the mountain’s cave system that is her home—and that’s a good thing. Jess fears the cruel men employed by Mick McPharland. Her father plans to marry her off to a man just like himself. She has one opportunity to escape.

Gil Coulter has been searching for weeks for his brother, Sampson, and for the load of sapphires stolen from them. Jess will only take him to his brother if he agrees to a pretend marriage. Gil’s protective instincts take over. He changes his surname and pretends to have married Jess two months before. Jess hadn’t exaggerated her father’s dangerous nature. The pretense leads them both into increasing peril.

Gil is falling in love with his pretend wife. Then he learns that Jess is pregnant.

I had read an earlier book in this series. It would have been like visiting with old friends to read this book—aside from the escalating danger that kept me flipping pages.

Lovable characters tugged at my heart while formidable enemies made me wonder if any of them would make it out alive. Mick’s right-hand man has been known to kill miners for asking a question.

The author weaves a story filled with a maze of twists and turns. The ending left some important questions unanswered that lead to the next book in the series.

Recommended for lovers of historical romance fiction.

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When the Road Comes Around by Katie Powner

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Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

No one believes Tad Bungley will ever amount to much, and his dad tops the list. No, maybe his mother did, because she left when he was eight and never came back. Dan and Anita Wilson believed in him enough to give him a job on their ranch. He didn’t want to mess up.

Anita knows that Dan feels she tends to be overprotective of their twenty-year-old son, Sam. His mind is that of an eight-year-old. Tad accepts him right away, but Anita doesn’t trust that others will treat him as kindly. She prays daily for Sam, Tad, and others.

Then Tad’s former girlfriend drops their infant daughter off at the ranch and leaves. He’s stunned to learn he’s a father. How can he care for sweet Charley, who has a smile that melts his heart?

This cast of believable characters drew me into the story from Chapter One. The sweet baby captures more than one heart. I couldn’t put the book down.

The contemporary story is told from Tad’s and Anita’s point-of-view, along with a few scenes in Sam’s POV. Unexpected events, plot twists, and surprises from secondary characters kept me flipping pages. The author weaves a poignant story that tugged at my heart.

The ending left some important questions unanswered. Otherwise, it’s an excellent contemporary story.

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A Conflicted Betrothal by Denise Weimer

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Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

In 1765, Temperance Scott is only one of the colonists to protest the Stamp Act behind the scenes in Savannah, Georgia. Her near-sightedness results in meeting Ansel Anderson, a King’s Ranger who is now stationed in the city to protect the Governor.

Lieutenant Ansel Anderson learns enough to be suspicious about Temperance’s presence at a tavern where the Sons of Liberty are meeting, but not her name. When he next sees her, she doesn’t remember him—because it’s Tabitha, Temperance’s twin.

Temperance, along with her cousin Frankie, is a Patriot. They are determined to fight against the Stamp Act, as other colonies have done. It’s too bad the handsome Ansel is a King’s man, yet so is her father. Should she continue to stand up for what she believes?

This book is a page turner! The author plops readers into the midst of the turmoil brewing between England and the colonies eleven years before the revolution. There is plenty of American history built into the story. Believable, lovable characters pulled me into the drama from the first page.

I couldn’t put it down!

Recommended for readers of historical romance novels.

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