Review

Her Lonely Heart by Cynthia Hickey

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The Pony Express Romance Collection

Widow Sadie Mathewson raises her two children at a Pony Express Station that had been her husband’s dream. She fears for the safety of her twelve-year-old son who longs to become a rider. There has also been danger to riders from the Native Americans in the area. Sadie has a good relationship with local Kickapoo and hopes for the best.

Dr. Luke Stetson chases after his young brother after receiving a note that he’d joined the Pony Express. He finds his injured brother at Sadie’s station. Though the courageous mother captures his interest, his father has drilled into him not to marry beneath him.

I love reading historical romances where I feel as if I’ve gone back in time. The romance and adventure of the Pony Express in this story escalates to show the danger of those lonely Pony Express stations—and the courage of the young riders.

I enjoyed this story and others in this collection.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Christianbook.com

The House on Foster Hill by Jaime Jo Wright

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1906—Ivy Thorpe is chilled by the discovery of a dead woman near the home at Foster Hill. Her father, the medical examiner on the case, reports that the woman recently had a baby. The sheriff and Joel Cunningham–the detective Ivy hasn’t seen since her brother died–can’t find the infant. The baby can’t survive long so Ivy decides to search, placing herself in danger.

Current day—Kaine Prescott can’t convince the police that her husband’s death was no accident. Nor can she can convince them that someone is now stalking her. Longing to escape the danger, she buys a historic home, sight unseen, on Foster Hill and moves to Wisconsin to fix it up.

But the house is far more dilapidated than the realtor’s photos showed … and sinister. When the stalker finds her again, she’s terrified. Can she really trust her new neighbor, Grant Jesse?

Riveting!

Both women face danger that involves the house at Foster Hill. Their stories are woven together in a way that escalates with every turn of the page. Suspenseful, dramatic, heart-wrenching. I wasn’t able to put it down!

Spellbound by this well-written story.

Looking forward to reading other books by this author!

-Sandra Merville Hart

Christianbook.com

I’ll Pass for Your Comrade by Anita Silvey

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Women Soldiers in the Civil War

This nonfiction resource book talks about the many women who wanted to be soldiers or became soldiers.

A group of over twenty Virginia women wanted to organize a volunteer regiment. They wrote to the Confederate Secretary of War and he rejected their offer.

Black women in Northern cities offered to be “nurses, seamstresses, and warriors if need be.” Local officials refused.

But some women did muster into the army. Fanny Wilson and Nellie Graves wanted to be near their boyfriends.

Malinda Pritchard Blalock served both the Union and the Confederacy as a soldier.

Women cut their hair short and dressed in soldier’s uniforms, often escaping detection simply because no one expected it.

Great book for Civil War research and history lovers.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Amazon

An Unlikely Hero by Mary Davis

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The Pony Express Romance Collection

BethAnn fears for the safety of her and her younger sister, Molly, when they ride into a Pony Express Station. She loses sight of her sister while peering on the trail behind them. Had they been followed?

Fox rushes in to save Molly from pounding hooves, earning BethAnn’s gratitude and attention.

Fox knows the stagecoach passengers will only stay at the station overnight. He longs to stay and meet Molly’s beautiful sister but duty calls. The pony express rider dashes away on his next ride with a heavy heart.

This story grabbed my attention immediately and didn’t let go. The likeable characters had me pulling for them. I kept reaching for the book to find out what happened next.

Loved it! Well-written story.

Looking forward to reading other books by this author!

-Sandra Merville Hart

Christianbook.com

Within the Candle’s Glow by Karen Campbell Prough

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Ella Dessa’s Story Series, Book 2

My interest was captured on the first page.

Ella Dessa is near seventeen now and it was time Jim McKnapp realized it. She’s loved him from the age of twelve but will he—or any man—ever love her enough to see beyond her scars?

Samuel McKnapp is Ella Dessa’s best friend but longs to be more. He’s seen the way she looks at his older brother, Jim.

Jim loves Ella Dessa. He’s aware that Samuel loves her, too. The two of them are closer in age and the best of friends. Should he walk away?

But Ella Dessa has also caught the eye of a third man—this one not so innocent.

Set in 1840, this story captivated me from beginning to end. I kept reaching for the novel even when I had other things to do. The way the characters talk and think feels authentic to the time and place. I loved it.

Recommend!

-Sandra Merville Hart

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

 

 

Home for Christmas by Ruth Reid

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An Amish Christmas Love: Four Novellas

Ellie Whetstone inherits her aunt’s home in an Amish community and plans to sell it. Her life is filled with traveling to dog shows for her poodle, Lulu. She can’t live in the rustic home with no furnace or electricity even though the widower next door captures her attention.

Ezra Mast, the widower next door to Ellie, has his hands full raising his daughter, Allison, and trying to figure out what’s causing her seizures. Ellie’s dog has formed a bond with his daughter that draws him to its owner. Yet he can’t fall for an Englischer.

I enjoyed this story. The characters’ struggles are believable. My heart was touched by the bond between Allison and Lulu.

Looking forward to reading the other novellas in this collection.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Christianbook.com

Women of the War by Frank Moore

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Their Heroism and Self-sacrifice

True Stories of brave women in the Civil War

This nonfiction resource book shows the many different ways that women served in the Civil War effort.

There are examples of women as soldiers, such Anna Etheridge and Kady Brownell.

Women worked in the Sanitary and Christian Commissions, serving the soldiers.

The women of Philadelphia volunteered at The Cooper’s Shop Saloon, preparing food for Union soldiers passing through the city. There was also a hospital where they received medical care.

Women also traveled to Gettysburg to help with thousands of wounded.

Originally published in 1866, the book includes many examples of women going above and beyond to help soldiers.

Great book for Civil War research and history lovers.

I read this book to learn more about women who served in the Civil War as soldiers as part of my research for my upcoming November release, A Musket in My Hands.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Amazon

Hometown Hero’s Redemption by Jill Kemerer

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Drew Gannon, firefighter, has taken on the guardianship of Wyatt, his best friend’s son. Wyatt’s father is in prison and his mother is dead. Drew feels like he’s in over his head. He needs a babysitter to stay with Wyatt while he’s working.

Lauren Pierce’s former job as a social worker makes her a perfect fit—except he and his friends have an unfortunate history with her from high school.

Lauren is battling her past as well. Is she the best choice for Wyatt after all her failures? Can she be perfect for anyone?

This is a touching romance where two people battle past failures and heartache to give a little boy an anchor to hold during his own storms.

I enjoyed this Love Inspired romance. The characters are believable and likable. This is the first time I’ve read this author and I will read more by her.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Christianbook.com

Embattled Hearts by Pegg Thomas

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The Pony Express Romance Collection

Alannah Fagan and her brother, Conn, are running for their lives. Still grieving the recent death of her mother, Alanna can’t take another beating from her stepfather.

Stewart McCann works at a relay station on the Pony Express route, a lonely job in the middle of nowhere. When he discovers Alanna and Conn hiding, he knows from the bruises on her face and the fear in her eyes that helping them comes with a cost.

The story pulled me in from the first paragraph. I had to keep coming back to the book to find out what happened next. I felt like I was there on the lonesome Pony Express station with the characters. The story moves quickly as danger escalates. Well-written story!

Looking forward to reading other books by this author!

-Sandra Merville Hart

Christianbook.com

Women in the Civil War by Mary Elizabeth Massey

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This nonfiction resource book is about the effects of the Civil War on women of the North and South.

Massey studied diaries and letters from over a hundred people who lived during the war. She begins by exploring education and employment opportunities available to women thirty years before the war.

During the war, some women stayed in or near army camps. Officers’ wives and families sometimes stayed in camps. Laundresses, cooks, and prostitutes were also there, as well as soldiers, nurses, and spies.

Massey gives examples of a few of the women who disguised themselves as soldiers on both sides.

Great book for Civil War research and history lovers.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Amazon