Book Review

Rescue Me by Sandy Nadeau

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Ronnie Spencer, a first responder, rescues firefighter Steve McNeal when his foot is pinned by a rock. She has avoided him since breaking up with him shortly after her father’s death.

Steve had been working with her father the day he died. Her dad, as an experienced firefighter, never would have died if Steve had ignored orders and rescued him.

Ronnie blames both God and Steve for not saving her father’s life. She refuses to date anyone who shares her dad’s profession. Who knew when they’d be killed?

Circumstances and tragedies in their city throw the couple together. Steve loves Ronnie. How can he help her overcome her bitterness?

This is a well-written contemporary romance that drew me in immediately.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Rescue Me by Sandy Nadeau

The Cowboy Poet by Susan Page Davis

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Rilla Lane dreams of becoming a published writer as she cares for her ailing mother on her father’s ranch. She writes in the evening after all her chores are finished and has submitted her work to contests.

Her poetry intrigues Bat Wilson, a cowboy on the Lane ranch. He knows Rilla’s father will never allow a cowhand to court his daughter. His feelings for her must remain hidden but he tries his hand at poetry. The other ranch hands discover he is writing and tease him mercilessly.

Rilla falls in love with the hard-working Bat but realizes her father will never approve.

The characters in this story were believable and likable. I enjoyed this historical romance set on a large Texas ranch in 1880.

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

-Sandra Merville Hart

Christianbook.com

For a Song by Susanne Dietze

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Lily Kimball’s uncle accepts a fee that sends her and her sister from Boston to Texas to sing in a saloon. The owner, Jackson Bridge, has invited his aunt to live with him and his daughter and requested she find two songbirds to bring with her.

Lily doesn’t want the job—she wants to make a living as a singer but not in a saloon. Her uncle gives them no choice.

But things aren’t always what they seem.

Jackson doesn’t own a saloon. His aunt tends toward confusion. His daughter wanted two birds as pets. Jackson isn’t impressed by Lily’s willingness to sing in a saloon.

Lily cooks at Jackson’s ranch and cares for his daughter while dreaming of becoming the next Jenny Lind.

But dreams have a way of changing . . .

I enjoyed this historical romance set in a small Texas town in 1858.

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

-Sandra Merville Hart

Christianbook.com

Do You Know What I Know? by Becky Melby

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Two women with the same name share the same OB/Gyn.

Bethany Schmidt is a single mother in a new relationship with her pastor, Jay Davidson. Bethany is falling in love with Jay but needs to decide whether to accept a new job in another city. She also has a secret to share before the dating relationship grows serious. Will Jay understand?

Elizabeth Schmidt can’t believe it. After all these years, she’s pregnant! At forty-one, she and her husband, James, have given up on having children. She arranges for her doctor’s office to call James with the surprising news.

The call goes to the wrong number.

This begins a whirlwind of misunderstandings for both couples that escalate as Christmas approaches.

I enjoyed reading the twists and turns that all began with one wrong number.

-Sandra Merville Hart

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!