Book Review

Firestorm at Gettysburg by Jim Slade & John Alexander

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The full title of this book is Firestorm at Gettysburg: Civilian Voices June—November 1863. This nonfiction book contains quotes throughout. The story of the Battle of Gettysburg is told in quotes by the townspeople, giving the account a compelling authenticity.

The townspeople who are quoted most often are briefly introduced at the beginning of the book. The town of Gettysburg and how the war affected the borough are also shown. Then the story quickly starts with all that happens in the month preceding the battle. Then we see what the citizens experienced during the battle and in the aftermath.

I enjoyed learning about Gettysburg, the townspeople, and the battle this way. It brought bring history to life.

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

-Sandra Merville Hart

Amazon

First Book Review for A Rebel in My House!

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The first review is up for my novel that released yesterday–5 stars!

Well Worth Reading
ByTwin Willows Farmon July 15, 2017
Format: Kindle Edition
Set during the battle at Gettysburg, “A Rebel in My House” tells the story of a woman swept up in an event that changed the course of a war. If you’ve never thought about the how the war and the battles impacted civilian lives, this story will open your eyes. Full of rich details of the time period, Sandra Merville Hart also explores the differences between North and South in a realistic, not stereotypical way. Amid those details, she weaves a story of love and trust. Well worth reading.

I’m so grateful for this wonderful review. If you have read the novel, please consider posting a review on Amazon and Goodreads.

If you’d like to purchase the novel, here’s the link on Amazon.

The Illustrated Gettysburg Reader by Rod Gragg

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This nonfiction book tells the story of the Battle of Gettysburg in a way that resonated with me. The author tells the history and then shows a diary entry or account or general’s report that digs deeper into what happened.

Gragg begins with details from May of 1863 and goes on from that time.

I especially enjoyed reading the accounts from folks who experienced the events. These really bring history to life.

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

-Sandra Merville Hart

Gettysburg: A Testing of Courage by Noah Andre Trudeau

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This nonfiction book tells the story of the Battle of Gettysburg. Military events are recorded along with what happened in and near Gettysburg in the days leading up to the famous battle.

So much happened during the three-day battle that the author includes each day in a single chapter, taking events in chronological order—sometimes in hourly increments.

The chapter for the second day’s fighting, for example, is well over one hundred pages. Lots of wonderful details! There are many helpful maps showing troop movements throughout the book.

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

-Sandra Merville Hart

A Texan’s Surprise by Vickie McDonough

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Sadie Hunter, a recent widow, and her two daughters travel to a Texas ranch with Ella Carpenter, who plans a two-month visit with her son, Trey. Sadie’s family has been living with Ella and knows that can’t continue. She must marry. Her heart longs for a love she never knew in her first marriage. Trey kindness to her family soon sparks the love she dreams of, but she fears he sees her presence at his ranch as a nuisance.

Trey doesn’t like surprises. He has detailed plans to prosper his ranch before he’ll think of marrying. Sadie sure is sweet. Pretty, too. And he loves her cooking. But he has years of work ahead before he can start a family.

Ella also a plan. Can this matchmaking mother work a miracle before another lonely rancher proposes to Sadie?

I loved learning a bit about Texas ranches in the midst of this enjoyable historical romance.

This novella is part of The Cowboy’s Bride Collection published by Barbour.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Christianbook.com

The Warrior’s Seal by Ronie Kendig

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Captivating!

This Military thriller is packed with suspense and adventure.

The Prologue starts in the Byzantine Empire in 1230 AD. Knights search for the deadly Mace of Subjugation, a deadly toxin that spreads like a plague. Only a Warrior’s Seal can stop it.

The mace rears its ugly head again in modern times. Villagers are dying. The President of the United States and his wife have been captured. Staff Sergeant “Tox” Russell leads a special team to find them and the deadly toxin before it’s too late.

But Tox needs more information. Tzivia Khalon knows about the mace. There is danger at every turn as she travels to the Mideast to help recover the deadly substance.

This novella, part of The Tox Files Collection published by Bethany House, kept me turning pages.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Christianbook.com

Love’s Sweet Storm by Miralee Ferrell

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Addie Patrick can’t continue to live off charity after the death of her parents. She answers an ad for a mail-order bride. Mr. Tolliver, who wants help with his store, agrees to marry her. Addie heads to Southern Colorado.

A terrible snowstorm strands Addie with rancher, Grant Hollister, on her way to Mr. Tolliver. Besides looking like an angel, Addie impresses Grant with her presence of mind in a crisis. Could she be the one he’s waited for?

His disappointment to find her already betrothed is mirrored in Addie’s heart. She’s already made a commitment. She will stand behind her promise.

The story captured my interest from the first page. I enjoyed this historical romance.

This novella is part of The Cowboy’s Bride Collection published by Barbour.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Christianbook.com

Mattie’s Pledge by Jan Drexler

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This novel took me on a journey into the 1840s.

Mattie Schock’s family is traveling with several other Amish family from Brothers Valley, Pennsylvania, to Indiana. She hasn’t seen Jacob Yoder since they were children and looks forward to getting to know him again.

Jacob never forgot Mattie and their friendship deepens. He soon begins to dream of her as his wife on the new farm he will build in Indiana.

Mattie dreams of settling further west and fears she’d be bored living in one location for the rest of her life. The Englishman who keeps turning up at odd places promises her new adventures in Oregon. He’s exciting and dangerous.

But the danger is more real than Mattie realizes.

I love novels that transport me to another time and place. This story did that for me. I enjoyed this story.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Christianbook.com

 

 

The Gilded Curse by Marilyn Turk

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9781938499111-jpgThe death of Lexie’s brother at Pearl Harbor is the last straw for her mother and she dies shortly after.

A telegram from a childhood friend, Russell Thompson, draws Lexie back to the Jekyll Island and the vacation home she, as the last surviving family member, can no longer afford. The home, Destiny, has fallen into disrepair and must be sold.

Lexie slips back into her friendship with her brother’s friend, Russell, but her property makes her feel uneasy—even fearful. Rumors say that Destiny is haunted, though unlocked doors and smashed furniture inside suggest someone living does the haunting.

Is she in danger?

I enjoyed this historical romance, especially learning about the fear Americans faced after the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

-Sandra Merville Hart

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

Crazy about Cait by Nancy J. Farrier

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Cait Sullivan loves training the horses on her father’s ranch and does not understand his decision to hire someone else Hall to do the with her—especially Jonas Hall, the man who broke her sister’s heart.

Jonas excels at his job. He loves horses as much as Cait.

The cavalry officer isn’t interested in the horses Cait trains, but will come soon to buy all the horses Jonas can train.

Cait realizes the sale of the horses to the cavalry is their only chance to save her family’s ranch.

The lovable, believable characters captured my heart as the story captured my interest. I enjoyed this historical romance.

This novella is part of The Cowboy’s Bride Collection published by Barbour.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Christianbook.com