Sandra Merville Hart

When the Road Comes Around by Katie Powner

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Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

No one believes Tad Bungley will ever amount to much, and his dad tops the list. No, maybe his mother did, because she left when he was eight and never came back. Dan and Anita Wilson believed in him enough to give him a job on their ranch. He didn’t want to mess up.

Anita knows that Dan feels she tends to be overprotective of their twenty-year-old son, Sam. His mind is that of an eight-year-old. Tad accepts him right away, but Anita doesn’t trust that others will treat him as kindly. She prays daily for Sam, Tad, and others.

Then Tad’s former girlfriend drops their infant daughter off at the ranch and leaves. He’s stunned to learn he’s a father. How can he care for sweet Charley, who has a smile that melts his heart?

This cast of believable characters drew me into the story from Chapter One. The sweet baby captures more than one heart. I couldn’t put the book down.

The contemporary story is told from Tad’s and Anita’s point-of-view, along with a few scenes in Sam’s POV. Unexpected events, plot twists, and surprises from secondary characters kept me flipping pages. The author weaves a poignant story that tugged at my heart.

The ending left some important questions unanswered. Otherwise, it’s an excellent contemporary story.

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A Conflicted Betrothal by Denise Weimer

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Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

In 1765, Temperance Scott is only one of the colonists to protest the Stamp Act behind the scenes in Savannah, Georgia. Her near-sightedness results in meeting Ansel Anderson, a King’s Ranger who is now stationed in the city to protect the Governor.

Lieutenant Ansel Anderson learns enough to be suspicious about Temperance’s presence at a tavern where the Sons of Liberty are meeting, but not her name. When he next sees her, she doesn’t remember him—because it’s Tabitha, Temperance’s twin.

Temperance, along with her cousin Frankie, is a Patriot. They are determined to fight against the Stamp Act, as other colonies have done. It’s too bad the handsome Ansel is a King’s man, yet so is her father. Should she continue to stand up for what she believes?

This book is a page turner! The author plops readers into the midst of the turmoil brewing between England and the colonies eleven years before the revolution. There is plenty of American history built into the story. Believable, lovable characters pulled me into the drama from the first page.

I couldn’t put it down!

Recommended for readers of historical romance novels.

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Seeking Simon by Susan Pope Sloan

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Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

Rescued Hearts of the Civil War, Book 4

Daviana Spalding is glad to see the war’s end, yet plenty of soldiers still passed by her rural Georgia home in need of meals, precious food she and her pa could ill afford to share. During the war, some had taken what they wanted at gunpoint. Simon McNeil offered to pay, so Pa agreed. Unfortunately, Simon becomes ill that evening.

At first, Simon regrets that his malaria chose this moment to resurface. The Union soldier isn’t sorry for the opportunity to get to know Daviana. He quickly learns that her pa has reasons for his desire to his daughter married, not the least of which is to protect their Georgia land from seizure by the Freedman’s Bureau. Simon steps up to protect the family by claiming Daviana as his fiancé.

He soon discovers an even greater threat to the beautiful woman whom he’s growing to love…

This book is a page turner! The author weaves a story of unexpected events that propels believable characters we care about into ever-increasing turmoil.

The story takes place in Georgia and Alabama during Reconstruction, giving readers insight into the turmoil of those days in the South. I couldn’t put it down!

Recommended for readers of historical romance novels.

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Emma’s Christmas Surprise by Linore Rose Burkhard

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Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

An Aspen Creek Christmas, Book 1

Aspen Creek, Pennsylvania

Emma Dawson has been dating Gabe Huskman for the past year. He’s a pastor at their church. He had proposed to his previous girlfriend on Christmas Eve, only to be rejected. Despite their nearly platonic relationship, Emma intends to accept his proposal, which he’s hinted will happen on Christmas Eve.

Gabe’s brother, Ethan, comes for an extended Christmas visit. Emma is instantly drawn to his spirit of fun and his kindness. Ethan is very different from his brother. Emma can’t believe she’s falling in love with Ethan…

I couldn’t put the book down. The author weaves a story of two mismatched people in a dating relationship when the right person comes along. Relatable characters experience guilt as well as hope for something different.

This novella can be read in an afternoon. I look forward to reading the next book in the series!

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Revolutionary War: Washington Battles Supply Shortage at Valley Forge

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The winter of 1777-78 at Valley Forge was rainy and moderate rather than snowy and cold, yet General George Washington’s colonial soldiers still suffered.

They were hungry. Provision shortages prompted Washington to write to the President of Congress, Henry Laurens, three days after their arrival at Valley Forge. His letter, dated December 22, 1777, reported alarming deficiencies in food supplies that, unless solved, must dissolve the army.

Incompetence in the Commissary and Quartermaster Department were partly to blame, though the practice of Purchase Commissaries working on percentages encouraged dishonesty.

William Buchanan served as Commissary General that winter. Washington asked Buchanan to rise to the challenge in a December 28th letter. He asked that at least a 30-day supply be stored near camp. Buchanan’s response wasn’t effective.

Nearby farmers, knowing the army’s great need, charged high prices. Local government passed legislation to fix prices to control this problem.

To supplement the food supply, Washington sent soldiers out to forage.

Members of the Continental Congress visited Valley Forge in mid-January. Washington reported the serious shortage.

In early February, Washington appealed to state governments for aid, who responded by sending droves of cattle to Valley Forge in March. One drove was captured by British soldiers.

The March 2nd appointment of Major General Nathanael Greene to Quartermaster General greatly improved the whole supply system along with the help of a new Commissary General, Colonel Jeremiah Wadsworth.

Greene and Wadsworth worked well together. Their previous commissary experience was a refreshing change and helped turn a bad situation around at Valley Forge.

-Sandra Merville Hart

 

Sources

“Provision Shortages at Valley Forge,” UShistory.org, 2018/03/20 http://www.ushistory.org/valleyforge/history/provisions.html.

 

“Ten Facts about Washington and the Revolutionary War,” George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 2018/03/11 http://www.mountvernon.org/george-washington/the-revolutionary-war/ten-facts-about-the-revolutionary-war/.

The Case of the Innocent Husband by Deborah Sprinkle

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Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

A Mac & Sam Mystery, Book 1

Mackenzie Love and Samantha Masters have opened their own Private Investigation firm in Washington, Missouri. Sam’s brother Jake works for the city’s police force. Mac fights her growing feelings for Jake, unaware that he’s also interested in her.

Mac and Sam aren’t popular around town after clearing an innocent man of killing his wife, but the murderer has not been caught. They decide they must solve the case, despite warnings to leave it alone.

Once the story began, the action never stopped. Plot twists, unexpected turns, and escalating danger kept me riveted to the story. Of course, I continually tried to solve the case.

The author has woven a story that I couldn’t put down. I’ve read other cozy mysteries and suspense books by Sprinkle—I can’t turn the pages fast enough!

I will definitely read more books by this author!

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Miss Wetherham’s Wedding by Linore Rose Burkard

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Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

Clean and Sweet Regency Romance, Brides of Mayfair, Book 3

1806, Mayfair, London

Lettie Wetherham, widow, had lost her dear Steven three years before when he traveled to Africa to search for a new vein of diamonds in their mine. Lettie struggles to pay her mounting debts by playing matchmaker for London’s society couples.

Confirmed bachelor Nicholas Dellacort’s girl has tired of waiting for him to propose. She’s now engaged to an earl who seems to bore her. Lettie should be able to help Nick get her back.

Nick pays Lettie to snatch the earl’s attention from his beautiful fiancée. What can go wrong?

It’s been quite a while since I read a regency romance novel. This author transported me back to that world with this story.

Endearing characters quickly drew me into their story. Several twists that I didn’t see coming kept me turning pages. This was an enjoyable read.

I look forward to reading another book by this author.

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A Surprise Harvest Bride by Wendy Klopfenstein

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Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

1901, Wyoming

Hope O’Neal travels west to take her friend’s place as a mail-order bride for Patrick Eastland. Emigrating to the United States from Ireland had led to drudgery. She prays that marrying a stranger will finally be the answer to her dreams of a happy life.

Patrick Eastland’s friend had advertised for a nanny for Patrick’s two nephews, but Hope isn’t to blame for his friend’s mistake. He marries her with the promise to annul the marriage after harvesting all the fruit from his apple orchard. That has to be his focus, or he will lose the house and land he inherited from his grandfather.

This short, satisfying story can be read in about two hours. There are hurdles on the path to paying off the hero’s mortgage. The heroine’s attitude won me over early in the story and had me pulling for her and the hero.

I look forward to reading another book by this author.

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Where Love is Planted by Dawn Kinzer

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Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

A Meriside Romance, Book 1

Beth Miller, horticultural therapist, takes on a lion’s share of the work at her family’s garden center after the deaths of her father and brother two years before. She hasn’t completed her internship for certification and has put her life on hold for her family. Her oasis is renting an apartment from Agatha, who almost feels like a grandmother to her.  

Tyler Sharp, Agatha’s nephew, moves in with his great aunt while searching for a home. His job as the new social worker at the local women’s correctional facility is temporary because he and his friend plan to minister to juveniles and children of incarcerated parents in Colorado. He can’t afford to fall in love with Beth, who lives in Washington.

The story captivated my attention from the beginning with a lovable hero and heroine. The author includes several secondary characters in difficult situations that I found myself championing. We know from the beginning that the hero doesn’t plan to stay in Washington, keeping my attention as the story unfolded with unexpected turns.

I look forward to reading the next book in the series!

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Cowboy’s Bookshop Bride by Clara Pines

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Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

Trinity Falls Sweet Romance, Book 4

Trinity Falls, Pennsylvania

Sarah Robinson leaves behind her successful job to purchase a bookstore in Trinity Falls, a place she’s dreamed of returning to since her family left when she was a child. Of the many places her family lived during her childhood, Trinity Falls was the only town that felt like home. She’s thrilled to return, even after finding the bookshop hasn’t been kept up.

Brody Webb feels sorry for the city girl who bought his uncle’s shop. How long would it be before she gave up on the small-town bookstore and returned to the big city? Brody’s own wife had divorced him and left him, his farm, and their children to pursue a brilliant career. Brody can’t allow himself to fall for Sarah, no matter how much his avid-reading daughter loves her.

Sarah’s growing friendship with Brody and his children blossoms into more, but there’s no sign that the confirmed bachelor returns her feelings.

This book was a page-turner for me! The children definitely made the story more poignant for me. Neither the hero nor the heroine has a high opinion of their own appeal to the opposite sex, which adds to the story’s tension.

This well-written book is a feel-good story.

I will look for more books by this author. Recommended for readers of contemporary romances.

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