Review

The Army of Tennessee by Stanley F. Horn

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A Military History

This nonfiction resource book traces the history of the Confederate Army of Tennessee from the beginning of the Civil War in 1861 to its ending in 1865.

When Tennessee voted to secede from the Union on June 1, 1861, volunteer military organizations were already in training. Drums and fifes played in the streets. Bands played Dixie and Bonnie Blue Flag.

This excellent book, published in 1941, provided many fascinating details not easily found in later publications.

For instance, I loved learning more about Sherman’s takeover of Atlanta. When he expelled the citizens from the city, the Army of Tennessee assisted the exiles as much as possible.

Excellent book for Civil War research and history lovers.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Fort Donelson’s Legacy by Benjamin Franklin Cooling

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War and Society in Kentucky and Tennessee, 1862-1863

This nonfiction resource book begins with the Confederate surrenders of Fort Henry and Fort Donelson in February, 1862. A few days later, the Confederates moved from Nashville to Murfreesboro.

Citizens in the middle section of Tennessee learned of this with sinking hearts. They knew tough times lay ahead. They could not have foreseen just how difficult those bad times would become.

After the Battle of Shiloh (April 6-7, 1862) Union General Grant stopped ordering his troops to protect private property regardless of owner loyalty.

This book shows what Tennessee citizens endured in 1862-1863, and how their circumstances grew progressively worse.

Excellent book for Civil War research and history lovers.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Amazon

Eyewitnesses at the Battle of Franklin

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Compiled and Edited by David R. Logsdon

What a great way to really dig into the history of a Civil War battle!

This historical resource book is skillfully arranged in chronological order for events before, during, and after the Battle of Franklin, Tennessee.

Quotes from officers and soldiers, both Union and Confederate, show what was happening at either side at the same time, giving valuable insight to many perspectives.

Quotes from townspeople and Franklin visitors present during the battle are also included, providing emotional details and popular opinions of the time.

Love this book! Reading it increased my understanding of what soldiers and townsfolk endured as part of my research for A Musket in My Hands, my Civil War romance that includes this battle.

Recommend this book for those interested in Civil War history, American history, and Tennessee history.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Amazon

Short Stories in Ohio Collection

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From the Lake to the River: The Buckeye Christian Fiction Authors 2018 Anthology

Ohio Authors writing Stories and Novellas set in Ohio

Published by Mt. Zion Ridge Press

 

Short stories don’t often receive reviews because reviewers shouldn’t give the story away. Here are snippets about short stories in this collection. No spoilers. All so different—recommend!

Fred’s Gift by Bettie Boswell

Heartwarming story about loss and gain, set in Ohio’s heartland at Christmastime.

 

Evie’s Letter by Cindy Thomson

The War between the States is past. Putting aside their differences is difficult for folks in Cardington even though General Ulysses S. Grant is now President Grant. Excellent!

 

Debt to Pay by JPC Allen

Two brothers find someone in the woods—and suddenly their lives are in danger, too. Suspenseful—a page-turner!

 

Christmas Angels by Carole Brown

A young Cincinnati wife and mother misses her husband, off at war, but why hasn’t he sent her money for two months? Heartwarming!

-Sandra Merville Hart

Amazon

Woodlands by Robin Jones Gunn

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Book 7 in The Glenbrooke Series

This is the first book I’ve read in this series and I’m already hooked. I love the small town feel where “everyone knows everyone.”

Leah has resigned herself that no man will ever want to marry her. The guys in high school dated and married her classmates. She’s not like her older sisters, who married and moved away from Glenbrooke. Leah stayed to take care of her aging parents, despite the continuing negative comments from her dad who wished she’d been his only son instead of his last daughter.

Her parents had passed, but Leah is still taking care of everyone. Then she meets Seth.

Seth’s family has ties to the town. His uncle is a descendant of the town’s first resident. Seth is interested in the beautiful Leah from the start, though she holds him at an arm’s length. But Seth has reasons of his own for coming to Glenbrooke …

The characters captured my heart right away, though some of their choices frustrated me. I kept returning to the story to discover what happened next. A page turner!

And the townsfolk captivated me, too. I will look for other books in this series and by this author.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Christianbook.com

Troy and the Great Flood of 1913

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Images of America Series

Hard rains began on Easter Sunday. The city of Troy, Ohio, received almost 10 inches of rain in five days, flooding the Great Miami River out of its banks.

This nonfiction resource book shows details of the rising water, risky water rescues, and how the townspeople pulled together to care for the suffering in shelters and makeshift hospitals.

The Miami County sheriff, Louis Paul, directed boat rescues. So many people were in danger flood that men were released from Troy City Jail to join rescue efforts.

Excellent book for history lovers.

Reading this book and visiting the city’s museums so inspired me that I wrote a novella, Surprised by Love, about the 1913 flood in Troy. My novella is part of an anthology, From the Lake to the River. Stories in this anthology collection are set in Ohio locations and written by Ohio writers.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Cold Read by Sharyn Kopf

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Part of From the Lake to the River: The Buckeye Christian Fiction Authors 2018 Anthology

Published by Mt. Zion Ridge Press

Stephie Graham begins to regret her decision to direct a play at the community theater when everything unravels. An unfortunate accident takes the female lead out of the play too close to opening night to find a replacement.

Stephie will have to play the role—but that may not be such a bad thing. After all, she will spend more time with Andy Tremont, the male lead who has captivated her since they met.

The small city theater even has its own resident ghost, a singer from the 1930s with a tragic story.

With a fresh, easy-to-read style, Kopf has woven a fun and enjoyable contemporary romance. It was also an insightful glimpse into the difficulties and joys of community theaters.

I will look for more by this author.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Amazon

 

How is God Working in Your Life Today by Freddie Woods Wilson

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My Mind, My Heart is for Optional

This journal is unique in that every page begins with the question “How is God working in your Life Today?”

A daily inspirational scripture verse is included on every page. The author leaves space to journal the highlights of what is happening in your life, allowing you to ponder God’s guidance, leading, and protection in the situations you face.

An excellent question to think about at the end of each day, this journal reminds us to watch for God’s answers to our prayers.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Courtesy Turn by Rebecca Williams Waters

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Part of From the Lake to the River: The Buckeye Christian Fiction Authors 2018 Anthology

Published by Mt. Zion Ridge Press

This contemporary romance is a definite page-turner!

I really enjoyed the humor and honesty of a widow who wants to meet a special man and begin dating again.

Lori’s son, Ethan, tends to be bossy—as if she is the child and he is the parent. She’s ready for that to change.

She used to enjoy square dancing. Should she return to it? She’d made some great friends there.

While there, a cowboy catches her eye …

Lovable characters—including Lori’s cat—make this an enjoyable read. I’ve read other books by this author and will look for more.

Recommend this novella and the other stories in this collection!

-Sandra Merville Hart

Amazon

 

Soldier’s Heart by Tamera Lynn Kraft

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Part of From the Lake to the River: The Buckeye Christian Fiction Authors 2018 Anthology

Published by Mt. Zion Ridge Press

Noah returns home after his three years of serving in the Seventh Ohio to a hero’s welcome … only he doesn’t feel like a hero. The war’s still going on in the summer of 1864 and he only wants to see his bride, Molly.

Though thrilled to have Noah home from the war, Molly senses his wound still troubles him. That isn’t the worst part. He sees Southern soldiers outside their Ohio farm. Soldiers who aren’t there.

He suffers from soldier’s heart.

Both main characters in this novella tugged at my heart, as it was impossible not to feel for both of them. Well-written and researched, the story kept me turning pages. I read it from beginning to end. Recommend!

I’ve read books by this author before and will look for more.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Releases on September 1st! Preorder on Amazon!