Review

The Bounty Hunter’s Redemption by Janet Dean

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Gnaw Bone’s resident seamstress, Carly Richards, isn’t exactly a grieving widow when her husband, Max, is killed by a bounty hunter. His verbal abuse and lately, physical abuse, prevented that. She’s finally prepared to run her seamstress shop to support her young son without fearing her husband’s return from his prolonged absences.

Then Nate Sergeant, the bounty hunter who killed Max, comes to Gnaw Bone. He claims that Max lost the deed to the seamstress shop in a poker game with Nate’s brother-in-law. Then Max killed him to get it back but couldn’t find the hidden deed.

That left Nate’s sister, Anna, as the rightful owner and Nate aimed to see she took over the shop.

Even if it meant taking Carly’s only means of supporting her son.

I enjoyed the twists and turns of this historical novel where an unlikely romance blossoms against all odds.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Castles in the Clouds by Myra Johnson

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Learning about the troubles of communities in the Dust Bowl of the 1930s snagged my interest. The author clearly demonstrates that the drought and Depression not only affected farmers but whole towns. Times were rough for almost everyone in Arkansas.

Larkspur Linwood ends up in a variety of settings in this novel. She is in college studying to become a teacher when the story begins. An opportunity to teach in Kenya thrills her, yet she is drawn there more by handsome Professor Keene who offers her the job than the position itself.

When that quickly turns sour, another teaching opportunity back in Arkansas captivates her. This time Lark is determined to keep her mind on the business at hand and not on another professor, Anson Schafer, who heads up the foundation. Anson is nothing like Professor Keene though it takes Lark a long time to figure that out.

The novel follows the lives of Larkspur and her two sisters, Rose and Bryony, and is Book Two in the Flowers of Eden series.

-Review by Sandra Merville Hart

 

Embrace an Angry Wind by Wiley Sword

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518qitw-8cl-_sx327_bo1204203200_This nonfiction resource book is about a key year in the American Civil War—1864. The subtitle “The Confederacy’s Last Hurrah: Spring Hill, Franklin, and Nashville” shows where the author concentrates but the story begins earlier in the year.

Sword weaves a true story in a way that captivates readers. Readers learn about what generals are feeling from both sides of the conflict. They also learn what privates think about what’s happening, as gleaned from private letters and diaries.

Sleet, snow, wind, and temperature all could play a part in battles—and certainly mattered to soldiers on the march. Road conditions and swollen rivers that stalled important crossings are details that transport readers back to turbulent times.

Great book for Civil War research and history lovers.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Amazon

When the Smoke Cleared at Gettysburg by George Sheldon

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51abhd0rdlSo many of us are fascinated by the Battle of Gettysburg. The author shows the history from the average citizen’s viewpoint. Townspeople experienced the battle in a unique way. Unless they chose to leave when Confederate soldiers were first sighted—as many men did—those living in Gettysburg could not escape many harsh realities of war.

Sheldon includes details of when Confederate troops came to Gettysburg on June 26th—a few days before the battle.

The author quotes newspapers from Gettysburg and other local cities. Reactions from townspeople add depth and understanding for lovers of history. Three days of battle terrorized the townspeople; the aftermath continued the nightmare.

Great book for anyone interested in the Battle of Gettysburg, Civil War research, and history lovers.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Amazon

Dead Calm, Bone Dry by Eddie Jones

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* * *   N  E  W   R  E  L  E  A  S  E ! ! !   * * *

 

This pirate novel is jam-packed with adventure!

Ricky, a teenager caught between two very different times, begins in jail with a fellow named William Shakespeare. Both face a none-too-fair trial that day and possible hanging.

From there, he goes from one dangerous adventure to the next. He wants to save his friend—the pretty governor’s daughter—and the orphans who depend on him, but things go from bad to worse.

Just when readers start to think they know what’s coming next, another twist happens. Through it all, Ricky learns a deeper spiritual truth, integral to the story.

The author snagged my attention early and held on.

This novel is geared to teen boys and middle grade boys, but adults will enjoy the story as well. Strap yourself in for an adventure filled with surprises at every turn!

-Sandra Merville Hart

Amazon

LPCBooks   Use coupon code SandraMHart for a 20% discount on Lighthouse Publishing books!

 

The Bonfires of Beltane by Mark E. Fisher

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9781938499524This historical romance reads more like historical fantasy!

I really enjoyed this novel that allows readers to travel the same roads in ancient, Celtic Ireland, as the foreigner, St. Patrick. What an amazing man.

Taran, who had been trained as a druid, turns his back on them and their tradition of sacrificing children to their sun god. He is banished from the island even as his father lays dying. He cannot marry Laurna before he goes. She promises to await his return.

A dream leads Taran to Patrick, who teaches him about the one true God. After Patrick baptizes him, Taran faces many dangers with Patrick as they spread the Gospel across the kingdoms of Ireland.

This well-researched and informative novel is very well done. The dangers faced by Patrick and the early Christians may surprise you.

Great story!

-Sandra Merville Hart

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

Co. “Aytch” First Tennessee Regiment by Sam R. Watkins

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Subtitles: Maury Grays, First Tennessee Regiment

A Side Show of the Big Show

Sam Watkins was a private in Company H (Company “Aytch”) of the First Tennessee Regiment. On May 11, 1861, this Confederate soldier left Nashville with his regiment and was still in the army when General Joe Johnston surrendered on April 26, 1865.

What sights he saw.

Sam didn’t write a history of the war. Instead he records anecdotes and experiences of life as a Confederate soldier. He speaks honestly of the horrors he experienced in battles, as part of General Braxton Bragg’s army, and in witnessing his comrades’ deaths.

He often remarks that “abler pens than mine” could do the story better justice. Sam, you did well. Readers like me felt your pain across the years. I felt the terror you must have endured when General Bragg ordered a reserve line to stand behind the fighting line and shoot anyone who ran away.

I felt your pride when a young woman invited “a tattered soldier” to supper and accepted your arm in escort.

I felt your gut-wrenching sadness to see your army decimated.

You showed that a general can resign with honor but when privates resign it is considered desertion.

Sam intended to include additional notes in a second printing of the book, but seems to have been unable to raise enough to fund the publishing costs. His great-granddaughter, Ruth Hill Fulton McAllister, included his notes in this edition. I love the poem included in the appendix—“A Land Without Ruins” written by Father Abram Joseph Ryan, the poet laureate of the Confederacy. Here’s a quote from the last stanza:

“For out of the gloom future brightness is born,

        As after the night looms the sunrise of morn;

        And the graves of the dead, with the grass overgrown,

        May yet form the footstool of Liberty’s throne,

        And each single wreck in the war-path of Might,

        Shall yet be a rock in the temple of Right!”

An insightful look into the everyday life and thoughts of a Confederate soldier. Great book for lovers of the Civil War and American History.

-Sandra Merville Hart

 

The Battle of Franklin by James R. Knight

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The Civil War Battle of Franklin, Tennessee, was several hours of intense fighting, some of the most tragic of the whole  war.

Knight’s full title, The Battle of Franklin: When the Devil Had Full Possession of the Earth, sums up the horror of that fateful day and evening of November 30, 1864.

The author shares eye-witness descriptions and accounts of the battle and the days leading up to it. Readers may feel, as I did, that they are experiencing the terrible fighting through the accounts. Well-written book for lovers of the Civil War and American History.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Amazon

Breathing on Her Own by Rebecca Waters

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When Molly’s adult daughter, Laney, is involved in a terrible car accident, the tragedy affects the whole family. Though Laney survives, a passenger in the car that she was driving doesn’t make it.

The loss of Laney’s friend isn’t the only thing on the family’s plate. They soon discover that Laney is paralyzed. Her husband and two young children have to learn how to adjust.

Great story about trusting and not trusting God in the midst of difficulties. Readers will find lovable, believable characters that they want to spend time with.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas Use coupon code SandraMHart for a 20% discount on all Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolina’s books!

Racin’ Flat Out for Christ by Lee Warren

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racin-flat-out-for-christ_-a-nascar-sports-devotional

This devotional book is packed with examples from the world of NASCAR racing of drivers who follow Christ.

Readers will be inspired by a variety of stories including one of anonymous private donations to a young driver winning his first race and giving the glory to God.

Great book for NASCAR fans!

-Sandra Merville Hart

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