Sandra Merville Hart

Anna’s Crossing by Suzanne Woods Fisher

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This novel is the first book in the Amish Beginnings Series.

The story is set in 1737. A small group of Amish embark on the ship, Charming Nancy, on their way to the colonies where a member awaits their arrival.

Anna doesn’t want to go to the New World where William Penn has made land available to her church members. She wants freedom to worship God just as her members do, but she’d rather stay with her grandparents.

Bairn, the ship’s carpenter, isn’t pleased when his captain agrees to transport so many passengers. Half the number of passengers would be crowded below deck, but the little boy, Felix, refuses to stay below. Anna comes after him. She’s beautiful but is also one of the ‘Peculiars.’ Bairn fights his growing feelings for her.

There are many layers to this story. Bairn is a man with a past. Readers are given glimpses of it throughout the novel.

There isn’t a lot of dialogue in this novel. The main characters are believable. One is a character readers will love to hate.

There are many surprises in the action-packed drama. I had a hard time putting it down.

Anna’s strong faith in God is her anchor when things go terribly wrong.

Full of twists and turns, this novel is a definite page-turner!

Recommend! Will look for more by this author.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Christianbook.com

 

 

Cream Soup Recipe

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This recipe for Cream Soup was found in an 1877 cookbook under “Food for the Sick.”

A few common ingredients made this an easy recipe for cooks and nurses to give to patients. It was probably given to wounded soldiers during Civil War.

The main ingredient is toasted bread, which was heartier 150 years ago than white bread readily available on grocery store shelves. I made a loaf of white bread in my bread machine and baked it in the oven. This gave me bread slices with denser consistency.

I toasted sliced bread “very brown” under the oven broiler. It felt more authentic than sliding them into a toaster.

Pour two cups of boiled water into a medium-sized serving bowl. Add ½ cup of heavy cream and ¼ teaspoon of salt and stir.

Break two slices of toast into pie. Pour the cream broth over the pieces in a serving bowl.

Eat immediately.

I tasted this soup. It surprised me how much I like it—possibly because I really like the homemade bread.

For this reason, I feel that any of the hearty breads you love would work well in this soup. Feel free to experiment with your favorite breads. If you buy the bread, this soup can be ready to eat in about 10 minutes.

I’ve often eaten toast when sick as well as serving it to my daughter. Cream and nourishing bread—I understand why this was given to convalescing patients.

I’d love to hear from you if you try this dish. Enjoy!

-Sandra Merville Hart

Sources

Compiled from Original Recipes. Buckeye Cookery and Practical Housekeeping, Applewood Books, 1877.

 

 

Civil War Confederate President Jefferson Davis

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Confederate President Jefferson Davis and his family lived in the home of Dr. John Brockenbrough in Richmond, Virginia. This home served as the executive mansion from August, 1861, to April 2, 1865.

Davis had suffered from many personal losses before he stepped into the foyer of the impressive Federal style mansion in Richmond.

He fell in love with Zachary Taylor’s daughter, Sarah, while the future President Taylor was still a Colonel. Recognizing the difficulties of frontier army life, Taylor refused to allow Sarah to become a military wife.

His reasons swayed Davis to resign from his post. The couple married on June 17, 1835. Two months later, the newlyweds traveled to his sister’s home in Louisiana. Sadly, they both fell ill with malaria. Sarah died. Davis’s family feared that malaria would also take Jefferson’s life, but he slowly recovered.

He lived on his Mississippi cotton plantation for about eight years before meeting Varina Howell, a guest at his brother’s home. He proposed and married the eighteen-year-old in 1845.

Samuel Emory, their oldest son, was born in 1852 and died a month shy of his second birthday. Margaret Howell was born in 1855—Davis’s only child who married. Jefferson Davis, Jr., was born in 1857. A third son, Joseph,  was two when the Davis family moved to Richmond.

Varina was pregnant with William Howell in August of 1861.

When Davis crossed the threshold into his new home, he didn’t know that his son, Joseph, would fall to his death at age five in 1864. Or that Varina Anne “Winnie” would be born two months after Joseph’s death. Winnie, born during the war, became known as the Daughter of the Confederacy.

In addition to his personal sorrows, Davis suffered from old battle wounds, recurring bouts of malaria, a chronic eye infection, and trigeminal neuralgia, a painful nerve disorder.

Davis was selected as President for a six-year term, a job he didn’t want. With his training at West Point and his army experience, he preferred a military command. As President, he had little patience for folks who disagreed with him.

No, Davis could not know all the difficulties that awaited him as he stepped into the mansion in Richmond. His courage might have failed had he been able to see into the future.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Sources

“Biography: Jefferson Davis,” Civil War Trust, 2017/10/29

https://www.civilwar.org/learn/biographies/jefferson-davis.

“Jefferson Davis,” Wikipedia, 2017/10/29 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jefferson_Davis.

“The White House and Museum of the Confederacy,” American Civil War Museum, 2017/10/29 https://acwm.org/about-us/our-story/museum-white-house-confederacy.

“White House of the Confederacy,” NPS.gov, 2017/10/29 https://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/richmond/WhiteHouse_of_theConfederacy.html.

 

The Caretaker’s Son by Yvonne Lehman

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I enjoyed this novel!

Annabelle Yarwood has been in multiple beauty pageants and now teaches young girls what she’s learned, especially how to find their beauty in God’s eyes. Her fiancé, Wes, works long hours building his career in a law firm.

Annabelle is intrigued by the return of Symon Sinclair, the caretaker’s son, to her Aunt B’s home. She remembers him from her childhood. Symon’s an author and she enjoys his company while Wes is working.

Symon longs to reconnect with Aunt B, the woman who had been like a mother to him after his own mom abandoned him.

Aunt B seems to understand pain and suffering all too well.

The contemporary romance is multi-layered. There are many twists that kept me turning pages. I enjoy stories that have depth, and under Lehman’s expertise, this one does.

Realistic characters each have their own goals, making this an interesting read. This story drew me in immediately.

Recommend!

-Sandra Merville Hart

Amazon

 

 

 

 

Cherry Tarts Worthy of a Love Story

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Today’s post is written by fellow author, Sandra Ardoin. I enjoyed reading her Christmas historical romance where the heroine is a baker. Sandra shares a recipe from the time period of her book. Welcome, Sandra!

 Unlike my heroine in The Yuletide Angel, I’m not much of a cook. Oh, I can do it. It simply isn’t something I enjoy. However, I don’t hesitate to collect recipes. Go figure.

When I discovered Violet Madison possessed the joy of baking, it left me with a question. What recipes would she prepare in 1890? So, I went to one of my favorite resources for 19th–century research: Google Books. Did you know the site holds over two centuries-worth of tested and tried recipes (or receipts) printed in old magazines and cookbooks? I found the following in a digitalized version of Warner’s Safe Cook Book: Compiled Especially for Warner’s Safe Yeast Company, 1887.

Here is the recipe Violet might have used, as stated on page 301 of the company’s cookbook (punctuation is mine):

CHERRY TART NO. 2

“Line patty pans or pie plates with puff paste. Stew the desired quantity of cherries with a liberal amount of sugar and a little water. Add a tablespoonful of flour for a pint of the stewed cherries. Fill the shells and bake in a quick oven. When the crust is done remove from the oven. Dust with powdered sugar when serving. Dried cherries make excellent tarts. They require to be soaked for several hours before being heated and must then cook very slowly and for only a short time.”

The term patty-pans threw me. If it did you, too, don’t fret. It’s another term for a miniature tart pan, the kind you’d find in stores today. As for the “puff paste” or pastry, if you’re dieting, you might want to rethink this one, since it contains a heart-stopping amount of butter.

Shy, little Violet certainly knew the way to a man’s heart: sweets. But her cherry tart was only one of the reasons Hugh Barnes fell in love with The Yuletide Angel.

-Sandra Ardoin

BIO:

Sandra Ardoin writes inspirational historical romance. Her Christmas novella, The Yuletide Angel, and the Grace Award-winning novel, A Reluctant Melody are available on Amazon. Visit her at www.sandraardoin.com and on the Seriously Write blog. Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Goodreads, and Pinterest. Sign up for her newsletter.

Available on Amazon

BLURB:

It’s Christmastime 1890 and someone ventures out at night to leave packages at the homes of the needy. Dubbed the Yuletide Angel, no one knows the identity of this mysterious benefactor. No one, except Hugh Barnes, who finds himself drawn to the outwardly shy but inwardly bold Violet Madison.

But a phantom figure lurks in the shadows, prepared to clip the wings of the young woman who risks her safety to help others.

Civil War President Lincoln’s Summer Home

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George Riggs, a wealthy banker, sold his 256-acre summer retreat known as “Corn Rigs” in 1851 to the U.S. government. The Gothic Revival country cottage was used as a Soldiers’ Home.

Retired soldiers moved to a larger building. President Buchanan, after receiving an invitation from the Old Soldiers’ Home, used the location three miles from the White House as a summer home.

President Lincoln and his family lived in a cottage on the property from June to November from 1862-64. The family enjoyed the peaceful beauty away from the populated capital.

Lincoln didn’t shirk his presidential duties. Cavalry troops with drawn swords accompanied his daily rides to and from the White House. This commute took him past hospitals. Past camps for former slaves. Past cemeteries. No, Lincoln could not forget his duty.

Lincoln’s family was evacuated back to the White House from the Old Soldiers’ Home in July of 1864 when Confederate General Jubal Early attacked Fort Stevens. The battle was about a mile from the Old Soldiers’ Home. President Lincoln went out to observe the battle on July 12th, a risky decision. He is the only sitting president to come under hostile fire.

Even his daily commute to his summer residence placed him in danger when a sniper tried to shoot him.

President Hayes and President Arthur also stayed at the cottage while in office.

The Soldiers’ Home is now the Washington Unit of the Armed Forces Retirement Home. President Lincoln’s Cottage is open for tours, but buy tickets in advance to reserve a spot.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Sources

“President Lincoln’s Cottage at the Soldiers’ Home,” NPS.gov, 2017/07/04  https://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/presidents/lincoln_cottage.html.

“The Soldiers’ Home,” President Lincoln’s Cottage, 2017/07/04 http://www.lincolncottage.org/the-soldiers-home/.

 

Dance Over Me by Candee Fick

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I enjoyed this contemporary romance!

Danielle Lefontaine, actress/dancer, longs for a part in a Broadway musical. Hard work finally pays off when a local theater offers her a contract. Now she can concentrate on her career and finding her brother. Separated as children, she hasn’t seen him in years and is desperate to find him. After that, she may be able to focus on the band leader, Alex Sheridan, who has snagged her interest.

Alex is skittish about starting a relationship with another actress. His last dating relationship ended when his girlfriend left him for a bigger stage. Dani is talented. Will she also leave him?

A jealous star makes Dani’s life miserable. And how does her adoptive mom feel about her search for her brother?

This story drew me in immediately. I kept reaching for the novel to find out what happened next even when I needed to be doing other things. The characters are realistic and believable.

Recommend!

-Sandra Merville Hart

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

Widow Jones’ Apple Pie

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Today’s post is written by fellow author Amber Schamel. This recipe is from her book, Dawn of Liberty. Welcome, Amber!

Sam says: I’ve convinced Mrs. Jones to share with us the recipe for her special apple pie. She prepared this for John Hancock and myself when we fled from the battle of Lexington as told in A Shot at Freedom in the Dawn of Liberty Short Story Collection.

 “What a feast. You have outdone yourself, Madam,” Hancock said with a smile.

“For dessert, I’ve one of my special apple pies in the oven, just for you, John.”

At those words, Hancock’s face split into a huge grin. “Well then, shall we commence?”

 Widow Jones’ Apple Pie

 YIELD: 8 Servings

Ingredients:

2 Pie Crusts

1/2 c. Brown Sugar

3 T. Wheat Flour

1/4 t. Salt

1 1/2 t. Cinnamon Spice

1/2 t. Clove Spice

5 c. Thinly Sliced Apples (Your variety of choice)

6 T. Butter

1 T. Lemon Juice (optional)

Instructions:

Begin by mixing sugar, flour, salt and spices together in a bowl. Next, poke holes in the bottom pie crust with a fork to prevent bubbling. Place apples inside the bottom crust. Sprinkle sugar mix over apples.

Cut the butter into pats and distribute them on top. Sprinkle lemon juice evenly over the pie.

Finish preparation by cutting the second pie crust into strips and weaving it over the top.

Bake at 450 for 5 minutes, then reduce heat to 350 and bake for 30-35 minutes.

Serve warm.

-Amber Schamel

Dawn of Liberty Blurb

Liberty comes with a price. Can a fledgling nation bear the cost?

British forces advance upon a struggling colonial army. The time of decision has come. Declare independence, or give up the fight. The weight of a nation rests on Samuel Adams’ shoulders as he joins the delegates of the Second Continental Congress. Can he raise the cause of Liberty above the fear of the King’s wrath in the hearts of his countrymen?

Three riveting short stories follow Samuel Adams as he struggles through the events surrounding the Declaration of Independence and evokes the Dawn of Liberty.

Amazon

Amber’s Bio:

Amber Schamel writes riveting stories that bring HIStory to life. She has a passion for travel, history, books and her Savior. This combination results in what her readers call “historical fiction at its finest”.  Her title, Dawn of Liberty, was awarded the 2017 CSPA Book of the Year award in Historical Fiction. She lives in Colorado and spends half her time volunteering in the Ozarks. Amber is a proud member of the American Christian Fiction Writers Association. Visit her online at www.AmberSchamel.com/ and download a FREE story by subscribing to her Newsletter!

Connect with Amber on Facebook,  Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads. 

Civil War Kansas Soldiers’ Home

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Both individuals and organizations became concerned over the needs of disabled and elderly Civil War veterans in the years following the war. One in Connecticut, Fitch’s Home for Soldiers and Their Orphans, opened in 1864—before the war ended.

A soldiers’ home in Georgetown, Kentucky, was the first Confederate home that opened. A few states operated separate homes for Union and Confederate soldiers. No federal funds were given to Confederate veterans.

At least one facility, Kansas Soldiers’ Home in Fort Dodge, welcomed both Union and Confederate soldiers.

Fort Dodge, built in 1865, was about 5 miles from Dodge City. It was a fort before becoming the Kansas State Soldiers’ Home that opened in 1890. The home used many of the old buildings.

Times were rocky in those early years for veterans. Quarreling and drunkenness got some folks dismissed. The home had to collect and remove croquet sets when some residents used mallets during quarrels.

July 4, 1890 proved to be a special celebration at the home. Dodge City citizens visited the event recognizing both Union and Confederate veterans.

Soldiers who had fought in the Mexican War and Indian battles lived in the home and, later, black veterans were also welcomed.

Visitors are invited to tour several buildings at Fort Dodge Soldiers Home.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Sources

“Fort Dodge,” Kansastravel.org, 2017/07/07 http://www.kansastravel.org/fortdodge.htm.

“Kansas Soldiers’ Home,” Wikipedia, 2017/07/04 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kansas_Soldiers%27_Home.

“Old Soldiers’ Home,” Wikipedia, 2017/07/04 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_soldiers%27_home.

 

America’s Star-Spangled Story by Jane Hampton Cook

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Celebrating 200 years of Our National Anthem

This short non-fiction book traces the history of our national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner, the poem written by Francis Scott Key.

Many may not know that this poem was based on a battle at Fort McHenry during the War of 1812.

Washington and the White House had already been burned by the time of this historic battle. Americans feared that worse was coming yet prepared to fight.

Cook added quotes, scriptures, and photos to her book that enhance the story.  The author also takes one line from the familiar song and explains the events that inspired the words.

This book could easily be used in schools to help explain the background to the song and the War of 1812.

-Sandra Merville Hart

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