Review

A Heart Set Free by Janet S. Grunst

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In 1770, with no other way to reach the freedom of the Colonies, Heather Douglas indentures herself as a bondservant for seven years to pay for her passage from Scotland and a tract of land. She’s unprepared for the hunger, disease, and death on the ocean voyage. Ashore, she awaits her turn to see who will buy her indenture.

Matthew Stewart, a widower struggling to run his farm, despairs of bringing his two children back to their home until he sees Heather. He pays her indenture and marries her.

Heather, aware that marrying a fine Christian man is a better fate than could have befallen her, tries to be a good stepmother. Her stepdaughter resents her presence and defies her.

Falling in love with her husband wasn’t in her plans, though her feelings scarcely matter. She will never measure up to Matthew’s first wife.

The title exactly fits the story! My interest was snagged early in the story. The characters were believable and likeable, making this a page turner for me.

I’m already reading the second book in the series, A Heart for Freedom.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas

Follow the Dawn by Rachelle Rea Cobb

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Anna Emory lives at Ainsworth Hall in Northampton, England, with her stern, dictatorial father in 1569. She longs for her older sister, who had fled years ago to escape an arranged marriage. They’d been close and Anna wonders why Margried hadn’t sent for her … or even written, but the worry fades under her father’s ultimatum—Anna must marry. Her breath hitches as it always did in stressful moments. While her father is away arranging the marriage, Anna escapes to her sister’s new home miles away.

 

While Captain Mathieu Tudder had fought the Dutch Revolution in his ship, he entrusted the care of his son to friends. Defeated, he returns to pick up where he left off with his son. Too much time has passed and the boy feels closer to Anna, whom Tudder mistakes for a nursemaid.

Anna enjoys her sister’s company yet worries what will happen when her father finds her. She has always felt a kinship with children—men are another story. Her father never wanted her so she assumes the same is true for all men.

The struggles of each of the characters kept my attention. Anna has lived in a verbally abusive relationship so long that she does not trust men. Tudder fights feelings of failure. Many readers can relate to these emotions.

Though Tudder longs for his son’s company, hours and even days pass without him spending time with his son. I found this strange because they were living in the same large castle.

Interesting secondary characters enhance the story, making it a good read.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas

The Nanny’s Secret Baby by Lee Tobin McClain

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Arianna Schrader has a terrible secret. She takes a job as nanny to be close to the child that she had to give up for adoption to her sister. Now her sister, who had sworn her to secrecy, is dead and her brother-in-law knows nothing about Arianna’s true relationship with his one-year-old son.

Jack DeMoise, a ranch veterinarian, doesn’t know what to make of his sister-in-law. The artist does not fit into his neat, ordered world … but she is good with Sammy. She seems to understand Jack’s autistic son.

When Arianna begins to fall in love with Jack, she knows he deserves to know the truth. Yet her promise to her sister binds her to silence.

But secrets in a relationship are never a good thing.

Jack, whose rocky marriage with her sister left deep wounds, doesn’t know whether to trust his feelings for Arianna.

I found myself pulling for these wounded characters and for a toddler who desperately needs them both. This book was a page turner for me.

A tender story that tugged at my heart. Recommend.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Christianbook.com

Lioness: Mahlah’s Journey by Barbara M. Briton

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Daughters of Zelophehad, Book 1

Mahlah is the oldest of five daughters of Zelophehad. As Israelites from the tribe of Manasseh, they wander through the wilderness when the cloud lifts. God leads through the desert and also through her father’s anger. Much of his anger lashes out at Mahlah. Her mother died five years ago and Mahlah still misses her.

Zelophehad dies with so many other, somehow choosing not to look up at the bronze snake that Moses holds high to save him.

As bad as things were with her father, they are worse now for his daughters. Reuben, the widower she’d once hoped to marry, asks her to care for his young son while he’s at war.

But he’s not the only one who faces danger, for it seems to follow the sisters—especially Mahlah.

This Biblical fiction story set during the time of Moses kept me turning pages. The many adventures and dangers kept this story moving at a fast pace. The main character’s burdens to care for her family and her love for Reuben tugged at my heart.

An enjoyable read!

-Sandra Merville Hart

Christianbook.com

A Love for Lizzie by Tracey J. Lyons

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When Lizzie Miller’s father had a heart attack, her neighbor was there to escort her to the hospital even though, as Amish, they didn’t drive cars. Yet Paul Burkholder wants to be more the just a friend.

Marrying Lizzie isn’t Paul’s only dream. He wants his own furniture business in town. Lizzie avoids strangers because an injury from a terrible accident that claimed her brother’s life left more than an emotional scar.

She hides her scarred face from stares of strangers. She pushes Paul away because she knows no man will ever want to marry her.

They both carry guilt from the long-ago accident. They’ll need each other’s strength to recover.

I enjoyed this Amish romance. It’s the author’s debut romance.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Christianbook.com

Out from the Shadows by Pam Thorson

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31 Devotions for the Weary Caregiver

 This author knows the caregiver’s path well. She writes about it in an honest way that will touch the hearts of other caregivers.

While dealing with the hardships of daily life, her message resonates with hope. I loved the honest outpouring of her heart.

I remember the days when this was my life. My father was the primary caregiver for my mother yet my sister and I were secondary caregivers. We were constantly at their home. I would have considered this book a treasure of support had it been available to me during those difficult days.

This devotional is truly a gift to all the weary caregivers out there.

Excellent book!

-Sandra Merville Hart

 Amazon

Secrets of Confidence by Ramona Richards

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A 60-Day Devotional for the Inner You

What a treasure! This book is filled with 60 days of devotional thoughts designed to build, restore, or renew a woman’s confidence that lies with God.

Drawing from Biblical examples and from the author’s own experiences, this book contains short devotions that begin with a scripture reference.

Topics covered include encouraging others, inner peace, endurance, courage, reliance on God, risk, and facing difficult times.

Each devotion takes less than five minutes to read yet gives food for thought as you begin your day.

I’ve read novels by Ramona Richards and enjoyed them. Recommend!

-Sandra Merville Hart

Amazon

 

 

Surrounded by Art by Thomas R. Schiff

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Panoramic Views of America’s Landmark Museums

Beautifully done book!

If you love history, museums, architecture, or photography, you will love this book. The panoramic views that this photographer has perfected inspire the imagination.

My niece looked at the photographs captured in this book and told me we had to visit these museums.

I looked at the beautiful shots taken at such places as Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Cincinnati Art Museum, Contemporary Arts Center, Chrysler Museum of Art, Des Moines Art Center, Seattle Art Museum, Museum of Modern Art, Museum of Fine Arts, and many others with an appreciation for the beauty captured.

The book includes an interview with Thomas R. Schiff, the photographer.

I would place this book in the category of coffee table book, gift book, and photography book.

A true page-turner!

-Sandra Merville Hart

Amazon

Carolina Reckoning by Lisa Carter

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A page-turner!

Alison Monaghan finally has the proof she never wanted—a photograph that proves her husband has been unfaithful to her. She’s ready to confront him when he returns from his latest trip.

She never sees him alive again.

Instead he is found dead on a lonely road near a historic park where he serves on the board.

Mike Barefoot, the homicide detective assigned to the case, immediately suspects Alison even as his heart goes out to her teenaged son and daughter. It isn’t long before Mike trusts in Alison’s innocence, yet protecting her becomes a challenge.

Driven by a need to discover the truth, Alison takes a job at the historic park near the location of her husband’s death—against Mike’s advice.

Her growing feelings for Mike can’t prevent her from seeking the truth. Danger lurks as Alison digs deeper. Is any place safe?

I found myself pulling for the whole family because the author shows their struggles with cruel acquaintances they’d once considered friends. The budding romance between Mike and Alison also shows how they both struggle with past relationships and circumstances. Can they overcome mounting obstacles before someone else dies?

Recommend! I will look for more novels by this author.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Christianbook.com

 

 

 

The Trouble in Willow Falls by Pat Nichols

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Willow Falls Series Book 2

Willow Falls is a quaint town in North Georgia. Unfortunately, that town is dying.

Emily Hayes, mother of twin baby girls, has difficulty finding time to rewrite her recently rejected novel. Her husband doesn’t know how long he can keep their store open with dwindling numbers of customers.

Rachel Streetman, Emily’s twin, pursues an acting career in nearby Atlanta.

Emily and Rachel both agree to put aside their careers to write and direct a play that just might bring tourists back to Willow Falls.

This story is filled with twists and turns that I didn’t anticipate, bringing constant challenges to the townspeople. Minor characters add depth and dimension in a refreshing way. So much effort is spent to save the dying town that the town itself almost seems like another character.

I am a fan of small towns, especially those that feel their heyday is in the past. Sometimes all it takes is a few people to believe in the possibilities and that is what this book demonstrates. I was pulling for the characters and the town throughout the novel.

I enjoyed this novel by Pat Nichols and am wondering what may happen in Book 3.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Amazon