Review

A Worthy Groom by Angela K. Couch

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Part of The Backcountry Brides Collection – Eight 18th Century Women Seek Love on Colonial America’s Frontier

 This novella is set at Sapling Grove on the Holston River in 1771.

Lucinda Cowden is finally free of her abusive husband’s fists. She can’t mourn as she stares down at his grave. Yet her relief is short-lived. Her father-in-law forces her to marry in order to get her land.

Marcus Cowden wrestles with the violence that he and his siblings were raised in. Can he break the cycle? His cousin’s widow needs a husband.

A heart-wrenching story that touches on the far-reaching effects of an abusive father.

Recommend.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Christianbook.com

A Heart So Tender by Debra E. Marvin

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Part of The Backcountry Brides Collection – Eight 18th Century Women Seek Love on Colonial America’s Frontier

 This novella is set at Fort Niagara in 1764.

Lieutenant Archibald Waters worries about the large party that Sir William Johnson is bringing to the fort. Hundreds of guests accompany Johnson, who is on a mission to negotiate treaties with all the local Native American tribes. Arch’s job is to keep everyone safe.

The party includes Susannah Kimball, along with her father and brother. But where are the other women?

Arch’s job is given the special task of guarding the Kimball family. Keeping the lovely Susannah safe in a fort filled with lonely men will be challenging.

The setting drew me into an area of the country that I’ve visited. The struggles of Susannah’s brother snagged my interest as well as the romance.

I’m enjoying this whole collection.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Christianbook.com

 

 

Her Redcoat by Pegg Thomas

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Part of The Backcountry Brides Collection – Eight 18th Century Women Seek Love on Colonial America’s Frontier

Set in 1763, this story takes place near Fort Michilimackinac, which was close to the shoreline where Lake Huron and Lake Michigan meet.

Laurette Pettigrew’s father owns the trading post in the settlement outside the fort. He sends her to stay in their cabin to keep her safe from the British soldiers inside the fort. It’s lonely in the wilderness with just her dog.

The crossing on the ship had made Henry Bedlow seasick. Now winter fever kept the British soldier in bed until the army doctor sends him into the dangerous forest outside the fort for daily walks.

There he meets Laurette.

The author drew me right into the story with the beautiful setting, interesting characters, and the sense of danger building in the story.

Recommend!

I’m looking forward to reading more books by this author.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Christianbook.com

Heart of Nantahala by Jennifer Hudson Taylor

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Part of The Backcountry Brides Collection – Eight 18th Century Women Seek Love on Colonial America’s Frontier

 This novella is set in the North Carolina Colony in 1757. The Nantahala is in the backwoods mountains next to the Cherokee.

Joseph Gregory runs a sawmill and wants to expand. With the recent death of Nantahala Lumber Mill’s owner, buying the mill is perfect for him.

While grieving the death of her brother, Mabel Walker feels the best way to honor his memory is to retain ownership the mill he built and run it. If she marries, the prosperous business becomes the property of her new husband. It’s difficult to know who to trust.

Joseph travels to Nantahala to make a generous offer for her business.

I loved the setting of this story. The author’s descriptions made me long to see it. I understood Mabel’s reluctance to sell.

Likeable characters in a beautiful setting captured my interest.

I’m looking forward to reading more books by this author.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Christianbook.com

Shenandoah Hearts by Carrie Fancett Pagels

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Part of The Backcountry Brides Collection – Eight 18th Century Women Seek Love on Colonial America’s Frontier

 This novel captured my interest immediately.

The Prologue opens with Magdalene Sehler working for silversmith Jacob Owens. Magda is a silversmith in 1753. They have a great friendship yet she longs for more. She waits in vain for him to propose as her family plans a move from Philadelphia to Shenandoah Valley.

Jacob loves Magda and longs to marry her. According to her younger brother, Magda does not care for him. He silently watches as she moves to Virginia yet soon lives in a settlement near her.

Native Americans in the area are upset with some of the pioneers.

Magda learns that the wilderness is a dangerous place to live.

The characters in this novella faced both internal and external struggles. As a history lover, the setting kept me turning pages as much as the story.

I’m looking forward to reading more books by this author.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Christianbook.com

Skirting Tradition by Kay Moser

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Book 1 of the Aspiring Hearts Series

This novel captured my interest immediately.

Sixteen-year-old Sarah Novak dreams of becoming a teacher yet that seems impossible. Her pa sends her to town to work because the family and farm needs her pay. He searches for a man for her to marry and figures one of the sons on the adjoining property is a good fit.

A chance meeting with Mrs. Victoria Hodges, an artist and newcomer to Riverford, begins to turn things around for Sarah though not without turmoil for both ladies.

Sarah doesn’t want to admit that Lee Logan, a banker from Fort Worth, has caught her eye because marriage is not in her future. She plans to teach.

I found myself pulling for both Sarah and Victoria through the numerous obstacles that threaten to thwart their goal of winning a scholarship to college.

This first book in the series is not really a romance. The story is told from two perspectives—Sarah and Victoria—and exposes readers to the difficulties that strong women faced in pursuing careers in the late 19th century. Characters deal with heartaches and struggles in an honest way.

I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

Recommend!

-Sandra Merville Hart

Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas   – Use coupon code SandraMHart for a 20% discount on Lighthouse Publishing books!

 

Restored Heart by Jennifer A. Davids

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I enjoyed reading this historical romance!

The main story is set on The Ohio State University in 1884.

Anne Kirby has a broken heart. Her terrible secret has already scared off one man. She realizes that she will never be able to marry.

Peter McCord’s head reels at the news—his grandfather did not leave the family’s thriving business to him. Forced to flee, Peter ends up taking a job on a college campus.

Anne arranges to live with her uncle, a professor at The Ohio State University while she works at the school’s library. Yet her reasons for moving to Columbus have something to do with the secret she keeps locked inside. She can’t afford to fall in love with Peter.

There are several layers to this story. Likable characters and the exact details of Anne’s secret that remain a mystery until late in the story held my interest.

Fans and alumni of The Ohio State University should enjoy this nostalgic historical setting.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Christianbook.com

 

Open Your Hymnal Again by Denise K. Loock

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More Devotions That Harmonize Scripture with Song

What an insightful book!

This book is filled with devotional chapters about hymns. The author digs into the background of the song and then shares honestly with examples from her own life.

These meditations are written about old favorites like “I Am Thine, O Lord,” “A Mighty Fortress is Our God,” and “Just as I Am.” Christmas carols such as “Joy to the World,” “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” and “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” are also included in this book.

There is a Rest and Reflect section at the end of every chapter with a thought-provoking question and scripture reference to deepen personal study.

Great devotional book! I will look for more by this author.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas – Use coupon code SandraMHart for a 20% discount on Lighthouse Publishing books!

Diamond Place by Robin Lee Hatcher

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Hart’s Crossing Series Book 3

Ten-year-old Lyssa Sampson loves baseball. She’s on a team with older girls and boys and longs for the new coach, Mel Jenkins, to make her a starting pitcher. He seems nice and her mom, Terri, is lonely. If they started dating, the coach would take more notice of Lyssa’s pitching.

Terri, a single mother, owns a beauty salon and never seems to have enough hours in the day to accomplish everything. The last thing she has time for is a new relationship.

Mel’s heart never mended after his fiancé’s death. Is it time to begin dating again?

Realistic characters make this an enjoyable read. This is the first book I’ve read by this author and will look for more. Nice story.

-Sandra Merville Hart

 

Explosive Force by Lynette Eason

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Military K-9 Unit Series

This book is a page-turner!

Heidi Jenks, reporter, happens to be at the right place at the right time for a story exclusive—except she sees the bomber run from the building. Worse still, he sees her. From then on, she’s in danger.

First Lieutenant Nick Donovan has a duty to protect Heidi even though he doesn’t like or trust reporters. He’s drawn to her despite their differences as his protective instincts escalate to high gear.

Nick saves Heidi’s life and quickly captivates her heart. She fears the bomber yet refuses to allow him to keep her from her job of reporting the news. Her reporter father has been her role model her whole life—and he lost his life tracking down the truth of a story.

She prays it doesn’t come to that for her.

Realistic yet lovable characters quickly endeared themselves to me. Real danger is around every corner for Heidi, making this romantic suspense novel an adventurous read.

I will look for more books by this author.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Christianbook.com