The Substitute Wife by Amanda Barratt – a Review

51clsivd2hlPart of the Convenient Bride Collection

The Substitute Wife by Amanda Barratt

Grace is the plain sister, the unnoticed one who can never hope to match the beauty of her sister, Audrey. Grace works as Audrey entertains her fiancé, Dr. Raymond McNair.

When Audrey leaves a note for the family and Raymond next to her wedding gown not to look for her, the humiliation felt by all leads to Grace walking down the aisle with Raymond.

Grace’s hopes that her new husband will fall in love with her are dashed when the unthinkable happens.

The setting and characters are believable and lovable in this enjoyable historical romance.

-Review by Sandra Merville Hart

Amazon

Carolina by Yvonne Lehman

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Carolina: Mountain Man, Smoky Mountain Sunrise, Call of the Mountain, Whiter Than Snow (Inspirational Romance Collections)

Each of these stories are set in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. They will make the reader experience all the emotions felt by believable characters. I enjoyed every story.

Four touching novellas by an award-winning author!

-Review by Sandra Merville Hart

Amazon

Sagebrush Knights by Erica Vetsch

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Four sisters offer themselves as mail-order brides after losing their father. The Wyoming Territory in 1874 gives them no other means of support. Luckily they all find husbands in Sagebrush.

One sister marries a man with a mischievous daughter. A second sister discovers her would-be husband has died. One sister longs to be special to her husband. Living as a wife of a sheep herder comes as a jolt to another.

Each one finds surprises. An enjoyable historical romance!

-Review by Sandra Merville Hart

Amazon

Beneath a Southern Sky by Deborah Raney

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Daria finally gives up hope of finding her husband alive in a remote area of South America after their baby is born. She mourns her missionary husband and learns to love again.

Her second husband, Cole, helps heal her sorrow. Then her first husband, Nate, is found alive. While rejoicing over finding Nate, Daria wonders which husband she is bound to.

It’s a terrible situation for Daria and her children that is not easily resolved.

This story stayed with me a long time after reading it.

-Review by Sandra Merville Hart

Amazon

Hidden Places by Lynn Austin

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Eliza, a widow, struggles to feed her three children and run the family orchard. It’s 1931 and the bank threatens to foreclose on her mortgage.

Then a stranger, Gabe, knocks on her door. He seems to know how to do everything required and will work for food and shelter. Her children love him and so does Eliza.

But there’s something about Gabe. Is he really who he proclaims to be?

This touching story set during the Great Depression gripped me with its mystery and romance.

-Review by Sandra Merville Hart

Amazon

The Fire in Ember by DiAnn Mills

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A young woman pretends to be a man and hides a past that relentlessly pursues her. Once her disguise is discovered, her refusal to reveal her true identity is her only protection.

John, the man who falls in love with her, does not know what to think. What is she hiding?

This touching romance set in Colorado in 1888 is action-packed. Mills, a skilled author, weaves a poignant story. Expect an adventure!

-Review by Sandra Merville Hart

Amazon

My Heart Remembers by Kim Vogel Sawyer

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After a fire tragically claims their parents’ lives, three orphans are placed on an orphan train for adoption. Maelle, the oldest at eight, hopes to keep her family together but all three are separated.

Maelle won’t give up until she finds her brother and sister.

This story touched me deeply. My heart broke at the struggles faced by each sibling as they become adults and still long to find each other.

With believable, lovable characters, this story remained with me long after I read it.

Highly recommended!

-Review by Sandra Merville Hart

Amazon