Review

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

A Manual of Etiquette With Hints on Politeness and Good Breeding

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Sophia Orne Johnson (1826-1899) wrote under the pen name of Daisy Eyebright. Her book, A Manual of Etiquette With Hints on Politeness and Good Breeding, originally published in 1868.

This book is a wonderful look at society in the United States shortly after the Civil War. It covers etiquette for the home with advice for children’s behavior and learning polite manners.

Social visits, behavior in traveling, table etiquette, dinner parties, letter-writing, the art of conversation, evening entertaining, and weddings are some of the topics covered.

Even marriage advice is given and, may I say, times have certainly changed!

I enjoyed reading this book as a lens into society and the way people lived 150 years ago. This is also the time period of my next Civil War series. This book offered many gems and even a few plot ideas for my research.

Lovers of history will enjoy this glimpse into the past.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Amazon

Hope’s Highest Mountain by Misty M. Beller

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Hearts of Montana Series, Book One

Ingrid Chastain shares the urgency of her father, a doctor, to deliver life-saving vaccines to a town in the Montana Territory but she is the sole survivor of a terrible wagon accident.

Dr. Micah Bradley has been living in the remote mountains for years … since his inadequacies cost his wife and daughter their lives. Yet when he stumbles on Ingrid after the accident, he must call on his skills again to set and heal her broken leg.

Before long, Ingrid insists on taking the vaccines to Settler’s Fort without further delay. Lives depend upon the medicine. Micah realizes she’s right. She can’t walk and he can’t leave her in the mountains to die. He’ll have to figure out a way to carry her to town, a journey of weeks by foot.

I fell in love with characters early in the story. There were several surprising turns, challenges, and dangers that kept my interest. This is a well-written story that makes me want to read the next book in the series.

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

-Sandra Merville Hart

Christianbook.com