Sandra Merville Hart's Blog, page 19
October 3, 2023
Yesterday’s Gone by Cindy Woodsmall & Erin Woodsmall
Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart
Marriage between a Bontrager and a Ebersol is cursed, or so nearly all of Eliza Bontrager’s Amish community believes. Yet she loves Jesse Ebersol and accepts his marriage proposal anyway.
On their wedding day, one of her aunts gives her an old quilt with magical powers. It can be used to change one event. She’s advised to use it wisely. Distracted by wedding events, Eliza dismisses the somewhat creepy conversation from her mind. She’ll remember it after a heart-wrenching loss.
This is a strange story involving time travel. Eliza wished to erase her grief by changing a key event. Its ripple effect creates a gripping story that held me spellbound.
It didn’t take long for the story to rivet my attention. Because the quilt was prayed over by many of Eliza’s ancestors as they stitched, it was said to hold power. There was no going back once it was done.
What a riveting story! The pain of so many characters tugged at my heart. Surprising twists throughout the story kept me flipping pages.
This book was a page-turner for me!
Highly recommended for readers of Amish romances!
I was given a copy of the book by the publisher. A positive review was not required. The opinions expressed are my own.
September 26, 2023
The Nurse’s Homecoming by Allie Pleiter
Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart
True North Springs Series, Book 3
Bridget Nicholson is only working as a nurse at Camp True North Springs for a month. She reminds herself that it’s all temporary, especially when she learns her ex-boyfriend, Carson Todd, works there. Her father, who had warned her away from Carson years before, doesn’t like the camp for families who grieve lost loved ones nor does he want Bridget there. She can’t understand his attitude.
Carson had been heartbroken when they broke up the first time. Those old feelings stir to life when they meet again. Bridget, recovering from a recent breakup, only wants to be friends. Can he accept that?
A mission to search for potential bone marrow donors for a little boy at camp keeps Bridget busy as she also struggles to mend her relationship with her father.
But not everything is as it seems.
I was drawn into the story by likeable characters. My sympathy was aroused early for grieving families, yet the story moved slowly for me at first.
Surprising twists catapulted me into the story. Characters acted in believable ways. I read the book in one afternoon.
It’s Book 3 of the series yet the story also works as a standalone.
Recommended for readers of inspirational contemporary romances.
September 20, 2023
September 2023 ACFW New Releases
September 2023 New Releases
More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website
Contemporary Romance:
A Louisiana Christmas to Remember by Morgan Tapley Smith, Betsy St. Amant, Lenora Worth — Three heartwarming, interconnected stories of faith, love, and restoration, brought to you by three Louisiana-native authors. Will a rare snowy Louisiana Christmas bring restoration and hope to the hometown and hearts of three women from the town’s founding family? In A Louisiana Snow by Morgan Tarpley Smith, meet Mattie: A passionate visionary who learns to forgive and finds love in unexpected places… In Restoring Christmas by Betsy St. Amant, meet Jolene: An artist and prodigal daughter who discovers love exists in the very place she once called home…
In A Christmas Reunion by Lenora Worth, meet Adale: A beautiful widow who finally dares to love again… (Contemporary Romance from Barbour Publishing)
Redeeming the Cowboy by Lisa Jordan — Five years ago, bull rider Bear Stone lost everything. His best friend. His fiancée. His career. And Piper Healy, his best friend’s wife, never forgave him for the rodeo accident that killed her husband. Now they’re working together to save his family’s ranch. But can this cowboy choose between his last chance at the rodeo…and the woman he’s falling for? (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired/Harlequin)
Where Love is Planted by Dawn Kinzer — A beautiful horticultural therapist.A handsome social worker in a woman’s prison. Will their loyalty to others cost them their own happiness? Or will something beautiful grow where love is planted? (Contemporary Romance from Morningview Publishing)
Historical Romance:
A Counterfeit Betrothal by Denise Weimer — A frontier scout, a healing widow, and a desperate fight for peace. At the farthest Georgia outpost this side of hostile Creek Territory in 1813, Jared Lockridge serves his country as a scout to redeem his father’s botched heritage. If he can help secure peace against Indians allied to the British, he can bring his betrothed to the home he’s building and open his cabinetry shop. Then he comes across a burning cabin and a traumatized woman just widowed by a fatal shot. (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)
Francine’s Foibles by Linda Shenton Matchett — World War II is finally over, and America is extra grateful as the country approaches this year’s Thanksgiving. But for Francine life hasn’t changed. Despite working at Fort Meade processing the paperwork for the thousands of men who have returned home, she’s still lonely and very single. Is she destined for spinsterhood? Grateful that his parents anglicized the family surname after emigrating to the United States after the Great War, first-generation German-American Ray Fisher has done all he can to hide his heritage. He managed to make it through this second “war to end all wars,” but what American woman would want to marry into a German family? Must he leave the country to find wedded bliss?? (Historical Romance from Shortwave Press)
The Legacy of Longdale Manor by Carrie Turansky — In 2012, art historian Gwen Morris travels to England’s Lake District to appraise the paintings and antiques of an old family friend, hoping to prove herself to her prestigious grandfather. When Gwen stumbles upon a one-hundred-year-old journal and an intricately carved shepherd’s staff similar to one in a photo of her parents, she’s left searching for answers. In 1912, after her father’s death, Charlotte Harper uncovers a painful family secret she can only confess to her journal. As Charlotte grows closer to shepherd Ian Storey and rebuilds her shattered faith, she must decide whether she will ever trust in love again. (Historical Romance from Bethany House)
Wooing Gertrude by Jodie Wolfe — Enoch Valentine has given up finding peace for his past mistakes. He throws everything he has into being the new part-time deputy in Burrton Springs, Kansas while maintaining the foreman position at a local horse ranch. But when trouble stirs on the ranch, he questions whether he’ s the right man for either job. Peace has been elusive for most of Gertrude Miller’s life, especially under the oppressiveness of an overbearing mother. She takes matters into her own hands and sends for a potential husband, while also opening her own dress shop. Gertrude hopes to build a future where she’ ll find peace and happiness. Will either of them ever be able to find peace? (Historical Romance from White Rose Publishing)
Literary/Contemporary:
The Wind Blows in Sleeping Grass by Katie Powner — After years of drifting, fifty-year-old Pete Ryman has settled down with his potbellied pig, Pearl, in the small Montana town of Sleeping Grass–a place he never expected to see again. It’s not the life he dreamed of, but there aren’t many prospects for a high-school dropout like him. Elderly widow Wilma Jacobsen carries a burden of guilt over her part in events that led to Pete leaving Sleeping Grass decades ago. Now that he’s back, she’s been praying for the chance to make things right, but she never expected God’s answer to leave her flat on her face–literally–and up to her ears in meddling. (Literary/Contemporary from Bethany House)
Split Time:
Fall Back and Find Me by Sarah Hanks — Two resilient women separated by over 150 years are linked forever by their challenges, values, and determination. (Split Time from SonFlower Books)
Thriller/Suspense/Romantic:
Facing the Enemy by DiAnn Mills — When the long-awaited reunion between Risa and her brother, Trenton, ends in tragedy, Risa is riddled with guilt, unable to cope with the responsibility she feels over his death. On leave from the FBI, Risa returns to her former career as an English teacher at a local college, only to see her past and present collide when one of her students, Carson Mercury, turns in an assignment that reads like an eyewitness account of her brother’s murder, with details never revealed publicly. Alarmed by Carson’s inside knowledge of Trenton’s death, Risa reaches out to her former partner at the FBI. Special Agent Gage Patterson has been working a string of baby kidnappings, but he agrees to help look into Carson’s background. Risa and Gage soon discover their cases might be connected as a string of high-value thefts have occurred at properties where security systems were installed by Carson’s stepfather and children have gone missing. There’s a far more sinister plot at play than they ever imagined, and innocent lives are in danger. (Thriller/Suspense/Romantic from Tyndale House)
Seeking Justice by Sharee Stover An agent and her K-9 partner risk their lives in the ultimate mission.
With her partner gravely injured in the line of duty, FBI agent Tiandra Daugherty has one shot to complete her mission. She’ll have to convince her partner’s twin brother, Officer Elijah Kenyon, to take his place undercover in a deadly drug ring. Together they must find justice for his brother and dismantle the gang. But the target is now on them, and the mission could prove fatal. (Thriller/Suspense/Romantic from Love Inspired/Harlequin)
Young Adult:
The Text by Julane Fisher — In 2048, 25 years after a pandemic killed one-third of the world’s population, America is flourishing under the department of Safety Threats and Reinforcement (STaR). STaR keeps citizens safe and healthy STaR’s social media app, Allicio, boasts two billion users. The a power outage shuts down STaR’s health monitors and disables millions of mobile phones. Sixteen-year-old Rami Carlton earned a starting spot on the varsity volleyball team. For fun, she races tech-genius Finley Drake to decipher the online identities of their techie friends. The game is harmless. So they thought. Rami receives a chilling text message that she’s being watched. That night, her mother disappears. Despite thousands of city-wide monitors, STaR’s Reinforcement Division cannot locate Rami’s mom. And Rami’s stalker threatens to kill her brother if she talks to Reinforcement Officers. When Finley hacks the nation’s cellular provider, Connect Mobile, he discovers STaR has a secret. STAR isn’t just watching. They’re manipulating Allicio. And Rami is their next target. (Young Adult from Infinite Teen)
Plus check out these recent additions to Fiction Finder published within the past month:
Cold Case Revenge by Jessica R. Patch — A kidnapped child. An unsolved cold case. This K-9 is on the trail. (Thriller/Suspense/Romantic)Daniel’s Oil by Urcelia Teixeira — Keeping a secret is easy. Getting away with it is the hard part. (Thriller/Suspense/Romantic)Escaping Illusions by Therese Heckenkamp — All she wants is a new beginning, but it will come at a chilling cost. (Thriller/Suspense/Romantic)Just Be Here by Susan Page Davis — If Nick gets the promotion he’s dreamed of, will it rip him away from the woman he loves? (Contemporary Romance)Reclaiming the Spy by Lorri Dudley — How can he protect her from himself when she keeps winding up in his arms? (Historical Romance)The Last Laird of Sapelo by T.M. Brown — Based on the tragic story of Randolph Spalding, the youngest son of Georgia’s most well-known antebellum-era coastal planter and influential political figure, Thomas Spalding. (General Historical)September 19, 2023
Sacred Rest by Saundra Dalton-Smith, MD
Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart
Recover your life, renew your energy, restore your sanity
I purchased this book after hearing Dr. Dalton-Smith speak about rest. I realized after listening to her that most of us are living a burned-out life. Everyone needs rest but there are many types of exhaustion.
Discussed in the book are physical rest, mental rest, emotional rest, spiritual rest, social rest, sensory rest, and creative rest. What you must do to achieve each type of rest differs.
It amazed me how much there is to learn about each type. For example, physical rest can’t restore mental rest. The author offers suggestions for readers to begin the process for each one.
What an amazing, helpful book! I just finished it and have already promised to lend it out to two others.
I also suggested it to my Sunday School class as an optional study.
Recommended for exhausted, weary readers searching for rest.
September 12, 2023
The Third Path by Eva Marie Everson
Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart
Finding Intimacy with God on the Path of Questioning
What a wonderful, thought-provoking book!
The author has dug deeply into her faith and the Bible to write this book that naturally draws readers closer to God.
Each chapter digs into a story from the Bible, flawed people who make mistakes just as we all do. There is a Path of Silence, Path of Memory, Path of Questioning, and a Path of Prayer in each chapter that invites readers to pray.
Interesting. Probing. Inspiring. Well done!
I will reread this book when I can take time to absorb it more fully.
Highly recommend!
September 6, 2023
ACFW 2023 Winners Announced!
ACFW announced the winners of multiple contests at the ACFW Gala on August 26, 2023 during the annual conference. Congratulations to all!
Lifetime Achievement
James Scott Bell
2023 Mentor of the Year
Tari Faris
2023 Agent of the Year
Steve Laube (The Steve Laube Agency)
2023 Editor of the Year
Becky Monds (HarperCollins Christian Publishing)
2023 Volunteer of the Year
Rachel Hauck
The 2023 Martha Rogers Member Service Award
Brandilyn Collins
2023 ACFW Genesis Winners (Unpublished Writers)
Contemporary
Leslie DeVooght – The Heartfelt Formula
Historical
Jacinta Meredith – A Picture of the Past
Historical Romance
Erin Mifflin – A Child So Fair
Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Cindy Rieke – In the Name of Treason
Romance
Lisa Kelley – Last Wish for Tomorrow
Romantic Suspense
Elaine Clampitt – High Altitude Abduction
Speculative
Andra Loy – Inverse
Young Adult
Andra Loy – Echo of Secrets
2023 Carol Awards Winners
Contemporary
The Songs That Could Have Been by Amanda Wen
Kregel Publications
Editors – Dori DeVries Harrell and Janyre Tromp
Historical
The Lost Melody by Joanna Davidson Politano
Revell
Editors – Barbara Barnes and Vicki Crumpton
Historical Romance
Written on the Wind by Elizabeth Camden
Bethany House (Baker Publishing Group)
Editors Luke Hinrichs and Jessica Sharpe
Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Fallout by Carrie Stuart Parks
Thomas Nelson Fiction (HarperCollins)
Editors – Amanda Bostic and Erin Healey
Novella
While Mortals Sleep (O Little Town collection) by Janyre Tromp
Kregel Publications
Editor Christina Tarabochia
Romance
Turn to Me by Becky Wade
Bethany House (Baker Publishing Group)
Editors – Sarah Long and Raela Schoenherr
Romantic Suspense
Word of Honor by Hallee Bridgeman
Revell
Editors – Vicki Crumpton and Jessica English
Short Novel
Hunted in the Wilderness by Kellie VanHorn
Love Inspired (Harlequin)
Editor – Dina Davis
Speculative
Dream of Kings by Sharon Hinck
Enclave Publishing (Oasis Family Media)
Editor – Reagen Reed
Young Adult
Wishtress by Nadine Brandes
Thomas Nelson Fiction (HarperCollins)
Editor – Becky Monds
Debut Author
The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip by Sara Brunsvold
Revell
Editor – Rachel McRae
September 5, 2023
Loving the Dog Groomer by Cindy Ervin Huff
Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart
Dog Groomer Bria Willis doesn’t trust men. The former model has plenty of reasons to maintain her distance from Marc Graham but it’s her job to train new owners to care for their dogs. Aaron, her brother and co-owner of their dog grooming business, will be near if Marc crosses a line.
After the death of his estranged wife, Marc’s priority is helping his son Tyler recover from her death. He’d been in the same car accident that killed his mother and his counselor suggested getting a dog to help Tyler. Having Brownie around has helped his son, but the pet didn’t obey Marc. He needed Bria’s help.
Believable characters recovering from lingering wounds from past relationships put up obstacles and even threaten their friendship.
I enjoyed this contemporary romance intertwined with plenty of doggie challenges to make pet lovers swoon! Tyler tugged at my heart as much as Bria and Marc. The story moves quickly.
Plenty of cute doggie moments and challenges to thrill pet lovers!
I was given a copy of the book by the author. A review was not required. The thoughts expressed are my own.
August 29, 2023
How to (Almost) Ruin Your Summer by Taryn Souders
Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart
Camp can make you crazy
Chloe McCorkle doesn’t want to go to summer camp but has no choice. Her parents are going on a cruise and Chloe needs someplace to go. Chloe just wants to make enough money during the summer to buy a new bike to ride to school in the fall. She dreams up a scheme contingent on taking the baking course at camp.
She immediately meets a new friend, Pogo, and is happy to see a couple of school friends at camp. One of them is her secret crush.
Victoria, one of the girls in Chloe’s cabin, is constantly getting her in trouble.
Add to the that a very troublesome goat and you’ve got the makings for a fun novel geared to children 9 – 13.
Definitely recommend this chapter book for children!
August 27, 2023
Try Some Amish Style Pie
Welcome to writer Julie Dearyan, who is here to share a pie recipe with us. Welcome to Historical Nibbles, Julie!
By Julie Dearyan
Pie is the quintessential, special occasion (or any occasion) dessert in rural Ohio. We love every kind of pie. Since we live in Amish country, we are the lucky recipients of Amish baking prowess.
At an Amish style banquet, a triangular shaped piece is parked at each plate topped with real (no skimping here) whipped cream. A variety of luscious fillings peek from beneath their cloudlike blankets. Peanut butter (always a winner), coconut (yum!), blueberry (more of a jelly filling than the ones my mom made growing up), raspberry, strawberry, blackberry, black raspberry, and more. The golden, flaky crust provides the perfect crunch.
Early on, some smart Ohioans showed us a rite of passage when entering an Amish restaurant or banquet. Check out the pieces of pies at each place first. Decide if you like that kind or quickly swap it out before the next diner comes. Neal and I are extremely grateful to those teachers. I always go for coconut or peanut butter. Down below, I share a recipe for Amish style peanut butter cream pie that I think you’ll enjoy. Your guests will love it too.
Amish Peanut Butter Pie
Adapted from https://www.thebakingchocolatess.com/amish-peanut-butter-cream-pie/
1 pie crust 9-inch, baked and cooled or make your own crust. Marty (the best cook I know) tells me there is no shame in buying a Pillsbury pie crust. Since she is the best cook I know, I agree with her.
Peanut Butter Crumbles
· ½ cup powdered sugar
· ¼ cup creamy peanut butter
Peanut Butter Filling
· 1 3.4 ounce box of instant Jell-O vanilla pudding mix
· 1 ½ cups milk
· ½ cup peanut butter
· 1 cup whipped cream
Whipped Topping On Top of Pie
· 2 cups whipped cream Using mixer, whip together on medium-high 1 cup of whipping cream and 3 tablespoons of powdered sugar to get whipped cream texture. 1 cup of whipping cream makes 2 cups when whipped.
Using an electric mixer, in a medium bowl, add powdered sugar and peanut butter. Mix on medium speed until small peanut butter crumbles start to come together. If mixture is too powdery, simply add a few drops of water to the and larger nuggets will form. Add half the peanut butter nuggets to the bottom of the pie shell.
Using a mixer, mix together the dry vanilla instant pudding mix, milk and peanut butter together for 2 minutes. Add in the whipped cream (make sure it’s already whipped) and mix in lightly. Pour pudding into pie crust on top of the peanut butter crumbles.
Top with whipped cream. Add the remaining peanut butter crumbles to the top of the whipped cream. Let the pie cool in the refrigerator for at least 1-2 hours to set up before cutting.
August 22, 2023
In Feast or Famine by Mesu Andrews
Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart
The Egyptian Chronicles, Book 2
This is the story of Joseph just before his release from prison—for a crime he didn’t commit—and up through the famine.
It’s a beautifully written story told in multiple viewpoints. The author’s attention to historical detail and tradition amazed me. I’ve read the Biblical account that is the background for this story many times and the historical and cultural insights brought me a whole new perspective on the Biblical account.
Those familiar sections of Joseph’s story written of in the Bible were the parts that gripped me most in this novel. Characters are well-developed and believably true to the times. The setting is a turbulent period in history that moves quickly. Well done!
Recommended for readers of Biblical fiction!
