Review

The Irish Ninth in Bivouac and Battle by Michael H. MacNamara

/ sandramervillehart

Review by Sandra Merville Hart

The Virginia and Maryland Campaigns

Captain Michael H. MacNamara wrote about the Ninth Massachusetts and published it after the Civil War. He (and others) affectionately refer to this regiment as the “Irish Ninth,” who were known for their bravery and courage.

I loved the rich details of everyday life for the regiment. The author took us through the initial training and then on their journey to drill in Washington DC (then more commonly called Washington City) where they joined thousands of Union soldiers.

The city was a sea of white tents covering the fields in and around the capital. The author painted vivid pictures of camp life, building a fort, and battles.

Pride in his comrades is on nearly every page. He reports on their shenanigans that made the tedium of camp life away from home more bearable.

I was thrilled to find this book. Captain MacNamara showed the fields near a wealthy banker’s mansion where the regiment camped in Washington City. In fact, the book was so helpful to me in my research that I used this regiment in my Civil War novel, Avenue of Betrayal. I even included a scene with Captain MacNamara, the historical figure, to thank him for writing this wonderful account.

I loved this well-written book. Recommended for readers who love to learn about the Civil War and American history.

Mr. Lincoln’s Forts by Benjamin Franklin Cooling III & Walton H. Owen II

/ sandramervillehart

by Sandra Merville Hart

A Guide to the Civil War Defenses of Washington

What a great resource about the Civil War forts that once protected Washington DC!

I was researching Avenue of Betrayal, Book 1 of my “Spies of the Civil Series” and having difficulty finding significant details about the forts built during the war when I found this treasure.

The book contains drawings, sketches, old photos, and maps to provide readers, history buffs, and researchers with a deeper understanding.

The authors give an overview of why the forts were needed as well as those responsible for designing and building them.

Details are included for each fort that made up the defenses around Washington DC.

Recommended for Civil War research and for lovers of American history.

Connecting with Christ Edited by Yolonda Tonette Sanders

/ sandramervillehart

52 Weekly Devotionals to Nurture Spiritual Growth

I wanted to let you know about this devotional book but I also contributed devotions to the collection so I’m not writing a review of it.

The book is divided into themes, such as Renewal, Revival, Rest, and Provision. Devotions in those sections deal with those themes.

Each devotion begins with a scripture reference and personal reflections from the author. It ends with a prayer. There is room to for readers to pen their own thoughts as part of their own study.

Readers may recognize some of the devotional authors in this collection such as DiAnn Mills, Yolonda Tonette Sanders, Cindy Thomson, Obieray Rogers, Chelsea C. Elliott, Sandra Merville Hart, and Leslie J. Sherrod.

I’m grateful to be part of such a thought-provoking collection.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Getting the Truth by Joe Koenig

/ sandramervillehart

Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

Discover the Real Message.

Know Truth.

Know Deception.

The author of this book, a retired police officer, has 45 years of investigative experience and he passes on wisdom from those years in this nonfiction book.

This book is packed with advice about how to discern when someone is lying. It teaches investigators to carefully construct their questions to get to the truth as well as how to analyze answers.

The author amazed me with his analysis of actual interviews. The ransom letter for JonBenet to her parents, John and Patsy Ramsey, is also analyzed by the author. It’s fascinating.

I couldn’t put the book down.

I think this is an excellent resource for investigators and for writers of suspense novels. Well-written.

Lincoln’s Spies by Douglas Waller

/ sandramervillehart

Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

Their Secret War to Save a Nation

This book is a great resource about the spying that took place during the Civil War.

I read this book while researching for my novel, Avenue of Betrayal, Book 1 of my “Spies of the Civil War” series. This book gave a nice overview and many specific examples of the spying during the war. Sometimes the information spies provided was credited with helping to win specific battles.

The author divided the book into yearly sections and includes the spies that were active in those specific war years.

Civil War enthusiasts will likely recognize some of the agents discussed in this book: Allan Pinkerton, Belle Boyd, Rose O’Neal Greenhow, Elizabeth Van Lew, and Lafayette Baker. Several of Allan Pinkerton’s detectives, called scouts, are also highlighted.

I also liked how the history of the events, meetings, and battles was interspersed throughout the book, making it an interesting read.   

My copy has lots of highlighted sections as a testament to how helpful I found the book.

Recommended for Civil War research and for lovers of American history.

Beyond the River by Ann Hagedorn

/ sandramervillehart

Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

The Untold Story of the Heroes of the Underground Railroad

This book is a great resource about the Underground Railroad leading up to the Civil War.

I read this book while researching for my novel, Byway to Danger, Book 3 of my “Spies of the Civil War” series. Though my novel is set in Richmond and Hagedorn’s book focuses on the history of the Underground Railroad centered in Ripley, Ohio, I learned a great deal about the courage it took to aid fugitive slaves.

Abolitionist John Rankin, his family, and many of his Ripley neighbors sacrificed repeatedly to lend their aid.

Hagedorn’s vivid scenes transport readers back in time in this nonfiction work, showing the everyday heroes that made in difference in many lives.

Well-written book.

Recommended for Civil War research and for lovers of American history.

https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-River-Untold-Underground-Railroad/dp/0684870665/

The Librarian’s Journey

/ sandramervillehart

by Sandra Merville Hart

This historical novel collection takes readers on a journey with librarians on horseback, who transport books to remote communities. I love reading historical novels where I learn new things about our history while enjoying a good story. I didn’t know that part of President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal provided for a Pack Horse Library Initiative. I love that folks who rarely left home during the Depression had the opportunity to read—or learn to read—a new book every week.

All four stories—Love’s Turning Page by Cynthia Hickey, For Such a Time by Patty Smith Hall, Book Lady of the Bayou by Marilyn Turk, and The Librarian and the Lawman by Kathleen Y’Barbo—touch on the danger faced by these brave young women. Riding horses or mules, they ventured out on mountain paths and bayous to deliver books.

I enjoyed this collection. All four stories are different. I like that they were set in different parts of the country.

Christianbook.com

Connecting with Christ

/ sandramervillehart

by Sandra Merville Hart

52 Weekly Devotionals to Nurture Spiritual Growth

I was thrilled when Yolonda Tonette Sanders asked me to contribute to this devotional book!

The book is divided into themes such as Renewal, Love, Promises, and Rest. My devotions can be found under the Celebration/Freedom and Giving sections.

Sanders wrote some of the devotions and invited other talented authors to join her. DiAnn Mills, Cindy Thomson, Obieray Rogers, Chelsea C. Elliott, and Leslie J. Sherrod, along with others, also wrote for this well-done devotional.

I hope you pick up a copy for quick, inspiring weekly devotions.

Amazon

We Will Rock Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins

/ sandramervillehart

by Sandra Merville Hart

by Sandra Merville Hart

Sometimes Penelope doesn’t quite fit in with her classmates because there aren’t any other T. rex’s at her school.

Oh, she plays with the other kids at recess but they always want Penelope to play all the dinosaur parts in their games. Her favorite thing of all is singing and playing guitar.

Should she sign up for the talent show?

A nice story about embracing your own talents. The book is geared toward beginner readers and children 5 – 7.

An Amish Christmas Bakery

/ sandramervillehart

by Sandra Merville Hart

This contemporary novel collection is set during the holidays. Each novella is set at an Amish bakery. Prepare to want a delicious dessert as you read …

In Cookies and Cheer by Amy Clipston, Alyssa lends her artistic abilities to a creative window display for her employer’s bakery. She knows the best person to create the cookie cutters but Kyle, a boy she remembered from school, might feel it isn’t worth his time. When he agrees, she dares to dream of dating him. Unfortunately, finding enough time to date becomes an unexpected issue.

Katie, a talented baker, takes charge of the family’s bakery while her mother recovers from surgery in Loaves of Love by Beth Wiseman. She learns that running the bakery isn’t as easy as it seems. Henry, whom she’s known since childhood, hangs around more and she wished he would ask to date her, but she’s just started dating someone. This new boyfriend is a bit too affectionate, something she and Henry agree on.

Mattie travels to Birch Creek to help in her new aunt’s bakery. Then she realizes Peter, whom she can barely tolerate, is also here to help her uncle build an addition. Her best friend, after dating him, had plenty of harsh words about Peter. Mattie must figure out the truth in Melting Hearts by Kathleen Fuller.

In Cakes and Kisses by Kelly Irvin, Ambrose is a sweet, kind man with a learning disability that kept him from learning to read. When Martha sees him being mistreated, she steps in to help. Ambrose has cared for her for years, but is certain she will never love him. The death of Martha’s parents has placed the responsibility of her younger siblings and the bakery on her and her sister’s shoulders. Dare she dream of love with so much weighing on her?

Each story is very different, which kept my interest engaged. I liked the characters in each story and found myself pulling for them. I love reading Christmas books around the holidays and enjoyed this collection. Because each story is set in a bakery, I found myself craving delicious baked goods!  

Recommend.

https://www.christianbook.com/an-amish-christmas-bakery/amy-clipston/9780310352808/pd/352808