Review

From the Pen of a She-Rebel

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Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

From the Pen of a She-Rebel: The Civil War Diary of Emilie Riley McKinley

This is the Diary of Emilie Riley McKinley, who lived a few miles outside of Vicksburg. It spans 10 months—from May 1863 to March 1864, covering the Siege of Vicksburg, the surrender, of part of occupation of Vicksburg.

Emilie lived on a plantation. Groups of Union soldiers came to the home and took away livestock, pistols, and rifles. They continued to come, and took the family’s meat and produce away in the family’s wagons without payment, despite the owner’s protests.

Sometimes different groups of soldiers came several times a day. This happened before the Battle of Vicksburg, during the Siege of Vicksburg, and continued after the surrender.

Soldiers and others, armed with weapons, searched homes for valuables and dug up hidden treasures like silver. These were taken.

As I read the book, I was shocked at what one family and their neighbors endured. The account held my attention.

I purchased this book to discover the history for the siege.

Recommended for readers of American Civil War history and American history.

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Philip Henson, The Southern Union Spy

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Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

Philip Henson, The Southern Union Spy: The Hitherto Unwritten Record of a Hero of The War of the Rebellion (1887), by George Sibley Johns

Philip Henson, a Mississippian, worked as a manager in a dry goods store in Rienzi, Mississippi, before the war started. When the Civil War began, the Confederacy wanted all able-bodied men in service. Because Henson supported the Union, he took a job as overseer to avoid mustering into the Confederate army.

Before General Grant left Corinth, Mississippi, he issued an order that everyone should take the oath of allegiance. Many Southern sympathizers took it for protection—Philip took it because he believed it.

Henson became a spy for both sides. He was a double spy.

He served as a Union spy from July 28, 1862 to May 20, 1864, when he was arrested by Confederate soldiers.

I purchased this book to discover the history surrounding the Siege of Vicksburg. I was researching the background for my Spies of the Civil War Series, Streams of Courage, Book 4, and River of Peril, Book 5.

Recommended for readers of American Civil War history and American history.

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Book of Old-Time Trades and Tools

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Review by Sandra Merville Hart

This book is a republication of the book originally published in 1866 by George Routledge and Sons, London. The original title was The Boy’s Book of Trades and the Tools Used in Them.

This nonfiction book is a treasure for historical writers!

The author gives an overview of different trades in some cases and detail in others. The anonymous author shows how there is overlapping of skills between certain professions, which is interesting.

There are sketches of men at work, showing what one might have expected to find at a worksite in 1866. Sketches of tools used in a specific trade show what the skilled worker used but doesn’t always inform the reader how they were used. It’s still helpful to see the tool and its name.

Skilled labors like brickmaking, masonry, plastering, whitewashing, and plumbing are a few of the trades highlighted.

I purchased this book for research purposes. I used it as a reference in my Spies of the Civil War Series. Books 4 – 6 are set in Vicksburg during the Civil War. One of the characters in Streams of Courage, Book 4, is a saddler. Sketches of tools used were especially helpful in understanding what saddlers did all day.

Recommended for historical authors and those interested in history.

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Vicksburg, A People at War by Peter F. Walker

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Review by Sandra Merville Hart

A People at War 1860-1865

This nonfiction book reports on events that took place during the Civil War in the Vicksburg, Mississippi.

The author gives plenty of interesting details about the way of life in Vicksburg before the war. Important townspeople are mentioned by name. Quotes from letters and diaries show attitudes, thoughts, and opinions of those enduring the hardships.

Newspapers are quoted with everything from advertisements for food and home supplies to battle details and news from Richmond, the Confederate capital.

An interesting read that held my attention!

I purchased this book for research purposes. My Spies of the Civil War Series has three books set in Vicksburg during the Civil War—Streams of Courage, Book 4, along with the upcoming River of Peril, Book 5, and Tides of Healing, Book 6. Highlighted passages testify to how it enriched my understanding of what Vicksburg citizens faced during the war.

Fascinating details make this an easy read for those interested in Mississippi’s history and Civil War history.

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Freedom’s Pride by Pegg Thomas

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Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

Path to Freedom, Book 2

When they were both indentured servants, Mark Allen had made a promise to Gwen Morgan to help her find her sister, Faye. Now that he’s free, he begins his search for either sister. He finds the feisty Faye, but she wants no part of reconnecting with Gwen. Yet Mark Allen doesn’t take his promise lightly. He’s in love with Gwen and hopes to marry her…but he must find her first.

Faye actually hadn’t ended up as an indentured servant. Instead, she’d become the ward of a Quaker family. She wants only to find a rich husband so that she’ll not have to work. Gwen’s existence is a secret from her Quaker family and she’s determined to keep it that way.

My attention was captured from the beginning. Likeable, realistic characters are all on their own emotional journey as well as a physical one. The heroine frustrated me at times and had me siding with the hero. The orphan boy who immediately joins Mark Allen stole my heart.  

I enjoyed this poignant story that held many surprising twists. This is the second book in the series and I recommend reading them in order.  

This book was a page-turner for me!

Recommended for readers of inspirational historical romances!

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

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Elinor by Shannon McNear

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Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

Daughters of the Lost Colony 1587

Elinor Dare sailed from England with her husband and her father to the New World in 1587. She and Ananias are expecting their first child that Elinor is happy will be born in the Colony of Virginia.

Things go wrong from the beginning, as they land in an area her father considers unsafe. His fears are quickly proven when one of their men is killed by natives while out alone.

Both Elinor and her father had previously visited the area. Unfortunately, other groups had also crossed the Atlantic, some of them violent. Some tribes don’t trust the newcomers.

I’ve long been captivated by the early settlers of the Lost Colony of Roanoke. This book is a novel about Elinore Dare. This work of fiction is well-researched and feels authentic.

The characters and situations are realistic to the time. My interest was truly caught about a third of the way into the story, when it became a page-turner for me.

Recommended for readers who enjoy American history, especially the early history of Virginia.

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A Not So Persistent Suitor Turns 1!

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by Sandra Merville Hart

It’s hard to believe that A Not So Persistent Suitor, Book 2 in my Second Chances Series, celebrates its first birthday today—Valentine’s Day! A Not So Peaceful Journey, Book 3, released last June, followed by a busy year of writing!

I had wanted to write a story set in Cincinnati, Ohio, in the 1880s for several years. It seems to me that it was on my heart to write when writing was still but a dream.

Writing this story allowed me to take my readers on a journey back to historic Cincinnati. See the sights of the beautiful city through the characters’ eyes in 1883-84.

Here’s a bit about the book:

He’s fighting for his career…She’s bent on achieving her own goals…Will their love survive a second chance at happily ever after?

Cora Welch dreams of a future teaching kindergarten, which is in its infancy, and marriage to Ben Findlay, her beau and her twin brother’s best friend. But she returns to college from summer break to learn of Ben’s unwise choices in pursuit of his career—choices that destroy her trust in the man she thought she knew and loved.

Ben is working hard toward his dream to become the best reporter in the city. He’s no stranger to fighting for a goal against all odds, ever since he was orphaned at age thirteen. Even though Cora has captured his heart, he makes the mistake of escorting the boss’s daughter to a fancy banquet to further his career—with far-reaching repercussions. Now he’s hurt Cora and botched his career goals.

Winning Cora’s trust again proves harder than Ben expects, especially as they both face struggles of their own. When events spiral out of their control, catapulting them into hardship and even danger, only God can restore their dreams—though the outcome may look far different than either of them planned.

Creative Sleepovers For Kids! by Julie Lavender

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Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

Fun Activities, Themes, and Ideas for Overnight Parties

For boys or girls

What a great book!

The author begins with suggestions for preparations before the party. Choosing a theme topped the list. You’ll use it to select the invitations, decorations, and party activities—which are included in the book!

Lavender has suggestions for over 30 themes, such as All Aboard, Big Top Circus Party, Dinosaurs Delight, I Spy, Land Ho, Snakes and Snails and Alligator Critter Party, and Partying Painters Art Party.

Parents, the author has packed this book full of ideas for your child’s sleepover party.

Grandparents, this book has some ideas for you to choose from when hosting your grandchildren for a night or a weekend.

Recommended for parents and grandparents!

Amazon

Shadows of Swanford Abbey by Julie Klassen

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Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

Rebecca Lane, a lady’s maid, returns to Swanford after a year’s absence in response to a letter from her brother’s housekeeper. She discovers the situation is dire indeed. John has finished writing a book somehow in between bouts of drinking and he implores Rebecca to deliver it to the very author whole stole his first novel with a request he recommend it to his publisher. She agrees reluctantly.

Sir Frederick is pleased that Rebecca, his childhood friend, is a guest at Swanford Abbey, the same hotel where he and his brother are staying. The widower feels that he’s too old for her, though he wishes it weren’t true.

Rebecca fears the haunted abbey, especially after she spots a ghostly nun, but there is more afoot at the historic abbey turned hotel than meets the eye.

Well-written! Believable characters dealing with difficult circumstances held my attention from the beginning.

This book is a page turner! Not only is there a romance that seems ill-fated from the start, there is also a mystery that readers will try to solve.

Recommended for readers who enjoy historical romances and suspense novels.

Christianbook.com

Jonathan James and the Whatif Monster

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Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

Book written by Michelle Nelson-Schmidt

I love to share about cute picture books with a message when I find them.

This is a rhyming book, which appeals to young children.

The “Whatif” monster keeps the boy in the story too afraid to try anything new.

Like climbing a tree or playing with a new friend or playing baseball or eating a new dish. Then the boy realizes that each of those situations could as easily turn out well.

This story could help children who are afraid to try new things. Parents may first want to read the picture book—and any book their child wants to read for the message it conveys.

I liked the book and recommend it for children from 3 – 7.  

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