Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

Saving the Spinsters, Book 1

Eleanor Clairbridge has no choice but to take a job as governess to support her widowed mother and herself. She puts any hope of a husband and family and travels to accept a position at the Duke of Albemarle’s estate.

Edmund Colhampton, the Duke of Albemarle, has shielded his heart from loving anyone new since the death of his family. His sweet niece Rosie is all that’s left of his family. He certainly doesn’t expect to fall in love with Rosie’s governess.

The characters in this story tugged at my heart. The growing love between the hero and the heroine has many obstacles. I especially loved the little girl, who had lost her parents while still an infant. Eleanor’s mother’s strength of character was inspiring.

I enjoyed this story by this author and look forward to reading the next book in the series.

I received a copy of the book from the author or publisher and was not required to leave a positive review. The thoughts and opinions are my own.

Amazon

Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

Part of: Christian Historical Romance Novellas

With her husky brothers scaring off any man coming near, Meg McCracken despairs of finding a husband. But now she has a new fear. Trouble is brewing in the Colonies. Her father and brothers plan to fight on the side of the Patriots but plenty of folks in Philadelphia are loyal to the Great Britain—Loyalists. 

Alexander Ogilvie isn’t looking to remain a blacksmith like his pa and brothers. His plans to forge a trail Westward are misunderstood as cowardice by his family…and by Meg.

The characters in this story tugged at my heart. Their love story kept me turning pages to glimpse those turbulent days leading up to the American Revolution. I felt the fear and tension as if I were there.

I’ve read several books by this author and will look for more. Recommend!

Amazon

Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

Healing Hearts, Book 2

When Dianna Pilson is rescued from the insane asylum from which her husband Theodore had committed her after the death of her baby, she changes her name to Susan Sullivan. She travels to Kansas with her mother’s butler, a man who risks his life and takes on the role of her father to save her from Theodore, who had annulled their marriage after committing her so that he could control her fortune.

Monty Summerfield’s ranch and mine in the small Kansas town are only part of his wealth. Susan captures his attention immediately when she acts the part of a poor man’s daughter but behaves as one born to wealth. She intrigues him but Susan is not about to trust another man.

Never would she trust another man … no matter how kindly he treated her. Experience had taught her it didn’t last.

The action of this novel takes place over about two years. It tells a horrifying story of abuse. The heroine’s difficulty rings true and will resonate with many readers.

Likeable characters tug at the heart in this emotional story filled with plenty of twists and turns. Huff has written a spell-binding tale where the hero and heroine encounter many difficulties that threaten their relationship.

This compelling novel was a page turner from beginning to end for me!  

Definitely recommend!

Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

Love at a Lighthouse, Book 3

The story begins with Emma Row receiving a marriage proposal from Michael Diepolder, a lighthouse keeper.

At 37, Emma loves her job as a librarian yet has dreamed of marriage to her beau. She is thrilled to accept.

Michael, a widower, cautions Emma that his daughter Ada will soon arrive. She lives with her grandmother so that she can attend school. Ada spends her summers with her father on the small island. He fears she will not accept her new stepmother. He persuades Emma to marry him the day after she arrives so they can learn to be a family together.

His fears are grounded. The eleven-year-old isn’t happy to share her father’s attention.

With Michael spending every night tending the light and sleeping during the morning, Emma handles the brunt of Ada’s disobedience. Emma begins to wonder if she made a mistake in marrying Michael.

I was quickly drawn into the story by believable characters I cared about.

I had read Julia’s Joy, Book 2 in the series. It delighted me to see the family connections from scenes in that book included in this story. It deepened insights into characters from both stories.  

This gentle, well-written story about the trials of learning to become a family is highly recommended for those who love to immerse themselves in another time with a great book!  

I was given a copy of the book by the author. A positive review was not required.

Amazon

Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

Romance at the Gilded Age Resorts, Book 9

Savannah Ensworth has been given every material thing her heart desired her whole life. The wealth she’ll inherit isn’t the only reason so many men want to marry her. She’s unwilling to give control of her life and her fortune to a husband. The freedom to choose her future is what she most desires but she’ll try to enjoy the Christmas holidays with her parents at their annual stay at Jekyll Island.

Her boredom dissipates when she hears Joseph Bennett’s sermon. He’s at the resort for the Christmas season. She’s attracted to him even as the honesty in his sermons unsettles her.

Yet society has placed too many barriers between them for their friendship to blossom into marriage.

I love reading books set at Christmas as the season approaches. Believable characters and a mystery that surrounds the heroine’s past made this a page turner for me. Twists and turns kept me guessing. The characters had hurdles that seemed insurmountable.

I’m enjoying the settings in this series. Be prepared to be transported back in time to the Gilded Age resorts.

Amazon