Sandra Merville Hart's Blog, page 4

Sundae Bars–A Fun Addition to Summer Celebrations

by Sandra Merville Hart

I bought ingredients for a sundae bar for a recent family birthday at my daughter’s suggestion. What a great idea this turned out to be!

Two choices of ice cream started the fun. (Most people chose both chocolate and cookies and cream. ) Then the ingredients were placed in ramekins and arranged on the table. My daughter enlisted her first-grader’s help as excitement built for the took only minutes to prepare. What a joy it was to watch the magic happen.

Below is the list of ingredients I used for our sundae bar. Choose your favorite ice creams and change the toppings for your family’s preferences.  

Ingredients

Whipped cream

Chopped walnuts

½ gallon Chocolate ice cream

½ gallon Cookies and Cream ice cream

Variety of sprinkles

Caramel syrup

Hot fudge syrup

Vanilla blueberry granola

Chocolate chips

Mini M&Ms

Mini marshmallows

Mini Peanut Butter Cups

Bananas

Strawberries

These were arranged in the center of the table and everyone made their own sundae. Honestly, that’s half the fun!

What fun! Everyone’s creative side came into play. The more ingredients, of course, the bigger the dessert, and let’s just say that few were able to finish. I didn’t mind at all.

Delicious! As if it could be anything else with all those ingredients. My sundae was heavy on the walnuts, granola, bananas, and strawberries. So refreshing! Yet it wasn’t nearly as fun as watching everyone choose their own toppings.

What a great summertime celebration for both children and adults! I will do this again.

Enjoy!

Announcing the Release of Love Stitched in Blue and Gray

by Sandra Merville Hart

Exciting news!

This month, my publisher, Wild Heart Books, surprised me with the news that my book, Avenue of Betrayal, is part of a newly-released a five novel-length Kindle collection called Love Stitched in Blue and Gray!Books by talented authors Tamera Alexander, Misty M. Beller, Susan Pope Sloan, Sherry Shindelar are also in the collection.

The eBook was released on May 27th.

Here’s a bit more about each novel in the collection:

5 Full-Length Civil War Romance Novels Where Love Bridges Every Divide!

From Texas ranches to Washington’s political circles, and from Georgia cotton mills to Comanche territory, experience the transformative power of love during America’s most turbulent era in these five captivating Christian historical romances.

The Rancher Takes a Cook by Misty M. Beller

When their South Carolina home burns to the ground, Anna Stewart’s only choice is to move with her younger brother to the wilds of a Texas ranch. Their prospects are beginning to look better, until the rancher’s son, Jacob O’Brien, shows up with his alarmingly blue eyes to put a kink in Anna’s well-controlled plans.

Colors of Truth by Tamera Alexander

Irish immigrant Catriona O’Toole arrives in Franklin, Tennessee in 1866, searching for her twin brother Ryan, a conscripted Confederate soldier. With only her spitfire little sister and Ryan’s last cash gift in tow, she catches the attention of Wade Cunningham—a former Federal soldier now secretly investigating counterfeit rings for the U.S. Secret Service. When the money in Catriona’s possession proves counterfeit, Wade must choose between his duty and his growing feelings for the woman he’s supposed to prosecute.

Rescuing Rose by Susan Pope Sloan

When the Union Army marches into Roswell, Georgia, and burns down the cotton mill where Rose Carrigan worked, not only is her livelihood destroyed but she’s also taken prisoner and shipped northward with the other workers. Only the unlikely kindness of one of her guards makes the trip bearable.

Union Captain Noah Griffin hates the part of his job that requires him to destroy the lives of innocent civilians, but at least he’s able to protect these women he’s been ordered to transport to Louisville, Kentucky.

But when two fugitives arrive and complicate matters between Rose and Noah, only faith can help them find love in the midst of so much tragedy.

Avenue of Betrayal by Sandra Merville Hart

As the Civil War looms over Washington City, Annie Swanson discovers her beloved brother has joined the Confederate cause, betraying their mother’s abolitionist beliefs. When Sergeant-Major John Finn—who fell for Annie at her brother’s wedding—is tasked with spying on her banker father’s loyalty to the Union, their budding romance becomes entangled in a web of family secrets and divided loyalties that could destroy them both.

Texas Forsaken by Sherry Shindelar

Seven years ago, Maggie Logan (Eyes-Like-Sky) lost everything she knew when a raid on a wagon train tore her from her family. As the memories of her past faded to nothing more than vague shadows, Maggie adapted—marrying a Comanche warrior, having a baby, and rebuilding her life. But in one terrible battle, the U.S. Cavalry destroys that life, and she is taken captive again, this time by those who call themselves her people. Forced into a world she wants nothing to do with, Eyes-Like-Sky’s only hope of protecting her child may be an engagement to the man who killed her husband.

Five compelling stories of faith, courage, and love that prove God’s power to heal even the deepest wounds of war.

I’m thrilled that Avenue of Betrayal, Book 1 in my Spies of the Civil War Series, is part of this eBook collection with four other talented authors.

I hope you enjoy all the stories!

Amazon  

The Symbolism of the Color of Flowers

by Sandra Merville Hart

I learned as a child that the color of flowers was significant when it came to giving a bouquet. My mother knew what some colors meant—my grandmother knew more. It mattered more to her.

When it comes to gifts, the color of the bouquet was more important a century or two ago in the United States. The significance of the type of flower and its color dates back to ancient Greece and Egypt.

Colors can help create a mood and stimulate or calm our spirits. My parents painted their bedroom red to darken the room when I was a little girl. He worked nights and hoped that the dark room would enable him to sleep during the day. I believe it did help him to sleep. Unfortunately, that room was dark and depressing for the whole family. No one liked it. My mom repainted it to a pale peach, and it brightened not only that room but the entire home.

On the other hand, red is a beautiful choice for flowers. In the nineteenth century, a woman receiving a red bouquet recognized the silent declaration of love. It also could mean passion, strength, respect, and courage. The same young lady might have been disappointed at a gift of yellow flowers because they signified friendship, joy, and health.

A gift of purple flowers signified admiration, success, and tradition while green flowers suggest new life, rebirth, youthfulness, good fortune, and good health.

Blue flowers, representing relaxation, intimacy, and openness, always capture my attention because other colors are more common. A patch of blue morning glories was visible from my grandmother’s window, making them my favorite as a little girl.

A gift of pink flowers would have pleased most recipients because they symbolized happiness, grace, gentleness, and innocence for centuries.

Orange flowers add a splash of color to any room. They stand for warmth, enthusiasm, and joy.

White flowers signify honesty and purity.

In the Victorian era, young ladies would have known the meaning of the different floral colors. As an author of inspirational historical romances, I love discovering tidbits like these for my novels!

Sources:

Boeckmann, Catherine. “What Does Each Flower Symbolize?” Almanac, 2025/04/21 https://www.almanac.com/flower-meanings-language-flowers.

Ellis, Mary Ellen. “Flower Color Symbolism: What do Flower Colors Mean?” Gardening Know How, 2025/04/22 https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/flower-color-symbolism.htm.

“Rose Color Meanings,” Fifty Colors, 2025/04/22 https://fiftyflowers.com/blogs/flowers/rose-color-meanings.

Hawkins, Linda J. The Unspoken Language of Fans & Flowers, Heart to Heart Publishing, 2007.

Death Under the Ice by Deborah Sprinkle

Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

Trouble in Pleasant Valley, Book 4

Homeland Security Analyst Claire Green comes to her brother Alan’s Pleasant Valley home, but he’s missing. She asks for help from Alan’s neighbors, Police Captain Nate Zuberi and his wife, Madison. They invite her to supper along with Private Investigator Rafe O’Connell, her former boyfriend.

He’s the only man Claire has ever loved, but she must focus on finding her brother. Clues that Alan had been involved in illegal activities frighten her. Can they find him in time to save his life?

This well-written and fast-paced story grabbed my attention and held on. Suspenseful. Action-packed. Real, believable characters. I tried to solve the mystery along with the detectives. I didn’t guess correctly.

A page turner! Highly recommended for those who love action-packed cozy mysteries.

I’ll look for more books by this author!

Amazon

ACFW New Releases May 2025

May 2025 New ReleasesMore in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website

Biblical Romance:

Mantle by Dana McNeely — Faith. Redemption. The cost of leadership. Will the next generation rise to the challenge and uphold the legacy of Elijah, or will they falter under the weight of the mantle? (Biblical Romance from Mountain Brook Ink)

Children’s Middle-grade/Chapter book:

Dixie Randolph and the Mystery of Willow Creek by MaryAnn Diorio — A twelve-year-old girl learns of a plot to kill her father and risks her life to save his.(Children’s Middle-grade/Chapter book from TopNotch Press)

Contemporary Romance:

Meet Me on Lilac Lane by Andrea Christenson — He was her late husband’s best friend, but for him she’d always been the one. (Contemporary Romance from Sunrise Publishing)

Anxious For Love by Gina Conroy — She’s anxious about love. He’s built a career on it— what could possibly go wrong? Fans of witty banter, reluctant allies, and slow-burn tension with a splash of reality TV romance will swoon over this feel-good romcom with heart, humor, and a happily ever after. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

Mountain Homecoming by Susanne Dietze — After months away, architect Wyatt Teague returns home only to find himself named a guardian to his late friends’ orphaned twins…alongside his ex-fiancée, Natalie Dalton. But caring for them together proves to be a challenge: Wyatt’s job is in the city, and Natalie can’t leave her family’s apple orchard. As they vow to make this new partnership work, old feelings between them quickly resurface. But when Natalie finds out the true reason behind Wyatt’s abandonment, can she trust him with the babies…and her heart? (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Hearts Aweigh by Shannon Sue Dunlap — Cheeky septuagenarian matchmakers, the “Shippers” are on a mission to secure a dreamy Mr. Right for Abby O’Brien, a sunny, optimistic childcare worker for Monarch Cruises. She loves her job looking after the children of vacationing parents, but harbors one unfulfilled desire: to be a wife and a mother. With his shy five-year-old daughter in tow, divorced elitist lawyer Spencer Randolph Masterson has anything but romance in mind. His goal on the MS Buckingham is to persuade his mother, Daisy, to leave her ridiculous cruise ship lifestyle and return to New Orleans. But Daisy isn’t interested in life on land. Besides, she and her matchmaking posse have a marriage to arrange. (Contemporary Romance from Kregel Publications)

Sometimes You Stay by Liz Johnson For digital content creator Cretia Martin, home is wherever her carry-on suitcase lands. She’s never been interested in settling in one spot—after all, houses are just places that collect junk and tie you down. But when she literally bumps into local dog breeder Finn Chaffey on Prince Edward Island and all of the tools of her trade end up in the harbor, she can’t exactly leave until she gets things sorted out. Finn is horrified by the part he played in the accident and offers to help, arranging for Cretia to stay with a friend at the beautiful Red Door Inn. The longer Cretia is forced to remain in one place, the more she discovers what she’s been missing with life on the road—and the more she wants to see Finn and his business succeed. But helping him means staying put, the one thing she always swore she wouldn’t do, and risking the only thing she’s never put on the line—her heart. (Contemporary Romance from Revell – a division of Baker Publishing Group)

A Valentine for a Vet by Carolyn Miller Veterinarian Jessie James loves her dog, loves her work, loves her family. She’s got a lot on her plate, which means there’s no time for a certain dishy teammate of her pro hockey-player brother, despite what others may think. Tom Chavez knows he’s in the friend zone, but isn’t one to give up too easily, especially when he’s concerned that this hardworking vet might be working herself into an early grave. When tragedy strikes the vet practice, he’s going to do all he can to show her he’s more than just a shoulder to cry on, and that he cares about more than her skills with his dog.
(Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

No Place Like Home by Betsy St. Amant — Magnolia Bay’s development director, Cade Landry, would do anything for his town—and his family. So when the mayor—who also happens to be his father—decides to retire, he talks Cade into running for his seat. But Cade is already up to his dimpled cheeks in the town’s post-hurricane revitalization fundraiser—Magnolia Days, featuring a flashy Cajun Circus. If Cade can’t put the bay back on the map as a tourist town, he’ll let the whole community down…and worse yet, his father. Rosalyn Dupree is a famous aerialist with a secret—actually, quite a few of them. Much to Cade’s relief, she agrees to return to Magnolia Bay for the first time in years as a headliner for the Cajun Circus. But neither her charming former school rival Cade nor her parents know she’s broke, in debt, and nursing a back injury…among other things. Despite her best efforts at resisting, sparks fly between Cade and Rosalyn as they work together on the circus fundraiser. But when everyone’s secrets are revealed and worlds collide, will Rosalyn find forgiveness and restoration in a town being rebuilt? Or will there never be anywhere to truly call home? (Contemporary Romance from Sunrise Publishing)

Recipe for Love by Penny Zeller — Rumors started flying when all of the businesses on Main Street in Cloverdale Falls sold last month. Bakery owner Maisie Carpenter finds herself appointed to uncover the mysterious new owner’s identity, and in the process hopefully allay some of the residents’ fears. What happens when she solves the mystery and discovers the man in charge of purchasing the businesses is the very man she has recently fallen in love with? (Contemporary Romance from Maplebrook Publishing)

Contemporary/Women’s Fiction:

Worthless Treasures by Mary L Hamilton — Professional organizer Diamond Lange helps clients declutter their homes and let go of what no longer serves them. But when her mother, Eva, suddenly passes away, Diamond is left with a house overflowing with junk and a promise she regrets making. Although Diamond considers everything in her mother’s house trash, Eva left behind a very specific list of five seemingly worthless objects. Eva requested these items be passed on to others who will cherish them as much as she did. In fulfilling a promise to her late mother, Diamond learns that worth isn’t always measured in dollars and cents; sometimes it’s measured in the heart. (Contemporary Women’s Fiction, Independently Published)

General Contemporary:

The Way Home by Heidi Chiavaroli — Two lost souls, one lighthouse journey . . . and an unforgettable search for the way home. The Way Home is the second book in the Lights of Acadia series by two-time Carol award-winning author Heidi Chiavaroli. If you like romantic Women’s Fiction, you’ll love this thoughtful novel steeped in family secrets, second chances, and boundless compassion. (General Contemporary, Independently Published)

BirdSong: Stories of Promise and Hope by Sara Davison, Deb Elkink, Stacy Monson, Chautona Havig, Cathe Swanson, Milla Holt and Eleanor Bertin– From unexpected journeys into the future and the past to a life-changing weekend, a spontaneous road trip, family trauma, the birth of a bookstore, and a potentially disastrous wedding, the men and women in these stories must deal with everything life is throwing at them. Which is a lot. The turmoil and craziness challenge each of them to believe the promise of God’s timing—that every winter, no matter how dark and cold, will be followed by a season of birdsong. (General Contemporary, Independently Published)

General Contemporary/Split-Time:

Gideon’s Book by Maureen Miller — This powerful time-split contemporary novel explores race, faith, love, and self-discovery, and touches on themes of adoption and abortion as well as the beauty of marital love. (General Contemporary (split-time) from Redemption Press)

General Historical:

Salome by Jenifer Jennings — Salome, the youngest of Jesus’siblings, learns to find her voice under Jesus’ guidance, but her bold defiance against the Pharisees leads her into the hands of Roman persecution. Explore the passion, conflict, and sacrifice of the early church in Salome, Book 7 of the Servant Siblings series. (General Historical, Independently Published)

Historical Mystery:

Show Me Skulduggery by Ellen E Withers — Death comes knocking once again in Show Me Skulduggery, the captivating third book in the award-winning Show Me Mysteries series. These mysteries involve two eras, early 1900s, and contemporary times, featuring a famous Saddlebred horse stable in Mexico, Missouri. Intrigue, deception, underhanded behavior, and murder will keep you turning pages. (Historical Mystery from Scrivenings Press)

Historical Romance:

A Slight Change of Plans by Denise M. Colby — She believes she doesn’t matter. His scars have made him an unlovable outcast. As Jenny settles into the welcoming, but small, town of Washton, she can’t help but come across Ren, especially since his daily constitutional takes him along the same path. It doesn’t take long for them to form a connection that breaks down the walls erected by years of hurt. But when strange occurrences unsettle the townspeople, it seems their chance at happiness might be at risk. Will Jenny and Ren discover that they’re enough—for God, and each other? (Historical Romance from Scrivenings Press)

Perfect by Kimberly Keagan — When the perfect life unravels, can love turn the page to a new beginning? In the glittering era of the Gilded Age, the heirs of Philadelphia’s Denwall Department Stores navigate family expectations, relentless ambition, and unexpected love. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)

Sporting For Love by Candice Sue Patterson — When a Boston socialite on the run gets entangled with a Maine outdoorsman, things get wild. When their weekend outing in the woods with the Appalachian Mountain Club goes terribly wrong, Ford and Juniper must decide if the lives they’ve been seeking are what they truly want or if they’re willing to risk a little adventure. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)

An Unexpected Grace by Kimberley Woodhouse and Tracie Peterson — After a decade away, Parker Bennett returns home with a traveling troupe to perform a play based on Uncle Tom’s Cabin at the Kalispell Opera House. Parker has relished his life on the road, but being home awakens long-buried emotions when he encounters his first love, Johanna St. John. Widowed for three years, Johanna devotes all her time to a demanding toddler, an injured father, and a successful millinery business. After the loss of her husband, she desires to move on, but reconnecting with her past love leaves her unsure of what lies ahead. Both committed to God’s distinct calling on their lives, Johanna and Parker struggle to see how their futures can unite, and when strange things start happening around town, their second chance at a life together seems more unlikely than ever. (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker] Publishing)

A Troubling Suggestion by Betty Woods — Clarisse Matthews still grieves the tragic loss of her fiancé and doubts she’ll ever love anyone again. Particularly if she has to divulge the secret abolitionist ideas she keeps hidden deep inside that only her beloved knew. After the lady Luke Williams loved spurned him and married another man, he will never risk giving his heart to another woman. But when Luke’s cousin is deceived by a rogue, who only Luke and Clarisse know the whole truth about, they form a reluctant alliance to protect his cousin. Their feigned attraction grows into genuine love. But will the differences between them become a wall too tall to climb or can they find a way around? (Historical Romance from Scrivenings Press)

Military Suspense:

No Time to Die by Taylor S Newport — Australian mercenary Tyler Reid, known as “The Ghost of OZ,” has a talent for evading detection, a skill that has caught the eye of multiple government agencies. When a shadowy group targets a CIA asset and her revolutionary drug ND1, the Deputy Director calls in Tyler. Eager for action, Tyler takes the job. For covert foreign operative Alexandra Romanova, freedom is a distant dream. Her deadly skills are at her boss’s disposal, but she’ll use them only to escape. Her final chance hinges on retrieving ND1, but the elusive Ghost of Oz complicates things. Tyler Reid isn’t an easy mark, and the better she gets to know him, the more she questions the mission she’s tasked with. Soon she faces a dire choice: kill a man she is convinced is good, or pay with her own life. In this high-stakes fight, time is running out, and the margin for error is zero. (Military Suspense from Whitewater River Publishing)

Romantic Suspense:

Rescued Heart: A Last Chance County Novel by Megan Besing — Actress Bianca “Bia” Pearl has finally landed the headlining role that could help leave her scandalous past behind—a role that may even earn back her parents’ respect. All she has to do is stick to the script, both on and off camera. Bianca is determined to prove to the press that she’s not who they say she is…an overrated gold digger.
Firefighter and former foster child Eddie Rice has always drawn the short straw in life. Now, he’s determined to help kids in need have a better future than he did. And when Eddie is selected to represent the fire station at Last Chance County’s masquerade ball, he realizes it’s the perfect opportunity to secure the mayor’s signature on a grant for a much-needed rec center. But when a case of mistaken identity and a bribe lead to Eddie and Bia being trapped together in a fire, the pair must team up to escape—and protect their futures in the process. (Romantic Suspense from Sunrise Publishing)

Midnight Offensive by Elle E Kay — ER nurse Sadie Kline can’t shake the feeling that something is off about the man who comes into her ER late one night. But she brushes it off—until a blind date with her brother’s best friend, Craig Malone, leads to something far more complicated than old feelings and second chances. Craig, now a Homeland Security agent, is tracking a stolen biological weapon when Sadie’s unsettling experience places her on his radar. She may hold the key to identifying a dangerous suspect, and when her family is targeted, protecting her becomes more than just part of the job. As danger escalates and secrets unravel, Craig and Sadie must work together to stop a biological attack. But in a world of shifting loyalties and silent threats, trusting each other might be the most dangerous move of all. (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published)

Missing in Texas by Virginia Vaughan — The moment FBI agent Christy Williams arrives in Mercy, Texas, determined to solve her friend’s disappearance twelve years ago, she becomes a killer’s number one target. Ignoring the threats on her life, she partners with Deputy Mike Tyner, the cousin of one of the chief suspects…and the last person to see her friend alive. As they work to investigate this cold case together, it becomes clear someone will stop at nothing to keep the past hidden. With time running out, can Mike keep Christy alive long enough to find justice for her friend…before a murderer strikes again? (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Suspense:

Inheritance by J.A. Webb — Father Curtis has forsaken his vows. He has left the Order and joined the Seekers, a hidden rebellion dedicated to uncovering the truth long buried by the global church. But walking away from the Order does not mean escaping its reach. When word spreads that a copy of the True Text — the original thirty-nine books of the Creator — has surfaced on the far side of the world, Curtis, Professor Reuel, and Phillip embark on a desperate mission. If they can retrieve the artifact, it could change everything. If they fail, the truth will be lost forever. The war for truth has begun. And the Order will not suffer heretics to live. (Suspense, Independently Published)

 

Plus check out these recent additions to Fiction Finder published within the past month:

Just a Piece of Stone by Mary Ann Hake — A Jewish boy receives a special stone passed on through the generations, clear back to Bible times, and learns its history via family stories. (Children’s Middle-grade/Chapter Books)

Frazzled Moms vs Wild by Stephanie Paige King — Two moms, one campsite, zero survival skills. Nothing’s more frazzling than a family camping trip, except bringing along the neighbors and their trio of toddlers. (General Contemporary)

Forever Changed by Diana Leagh Matthews — What would you do if you had to raise someone else’s family and step into their lives? Can Caleb and Danielle let go of their painful pasts, forgive, and move forward into an uncertain future? (Contemporary/Women’s Fiction)

Mouse in Your Pocket by Janetta Fudge Messmer — How can Jessica handle inheriting a junkyard, her common sense going out the window, and Jimmy Barnes? She doesn’t, without the Lord. (Contemporary Romance)

Frayed Promises by Lynn U. Watson — If you enjoy stories of faith in the face of society’s pressures and trusting God in times of struggle, you’ll love this closed-door romance that will keep you guessing until the end. (Historical Romance)

Road Trip Redemption by Becca Wierwille — Jada talks her two older sisters into a trip to Pennsylvania to reunite Kimmy with her furry friend. But as new questions about their canine companion unravel Jada’s plans, she wonders how she’ll face Kimmy after all these years. The road ahead may be more complicated than Jada imagined. (Children’s Middle-grade/Chapter Books)

Grave Decisions by Debra DuPree Williams

Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

A Charlotte Graves Mystery, Book 2

Charlotte Graves now lives in the beautiful Rose Haven mansion with her grandmother. Her grandmother’s offer to give her the whole estate shocks her. Things are going so well with her renewed relationship with Roan Steele and her job as a genealogist. Before she can even consider it, people from her past challenge the home’s ownership.

Now she’s fighting for her family home. Intruders and murder quickly escalate the danger. And then someone close to Charlotte is accused of murder, further entangling her into the mayhem.

This talented author’s latest cozy mystery is another page-turner! Her strong Southern voice shines in Grave Decisions, the second book in the series. This well-written novel draws readers into the mystery from the beginning, one that includes William Shakespeare.  

Lovable, realistic characters invited me into a small Alabama town in the 1960s. Williams weaves such an authentic feel that the characters seem to step off the page.

Highly recommended for those who enjoy cozy mysteries!   

Amazon

Pimento Cheese Recipe

by Sandra Merville Hart

A friend got me hooked on pimento cheese spread while attending a writing retreat. I bought a couple of different brands upon returning home, but neither was as delicious as the brands available in the Carolinas.

My mother had bought sliced pimento cheese for sandwiches when I was a child, but I haven’t seen that in delis for years.

I read several recipes for the spread and then tweaked them.

Ingredients

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

1 4-ounce jar diced pimento, drained

¼ teaspoon garlic powder

¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

¼ teaspoon onion powder

½ cup mayonnaise

2 cups sharp shredded Cheddar cheese

Using a strainer, drain the pimentos into a bowl. This can take about 10 minutes.

Smooth the cream cheese into a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle on the garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and onion powder.

Allow the flavors to set together for a couple of minutes and then mix in the mayonnaise. Stir in the pimentos.

Add the shredded cheese. Mix together.

Keep refrigerated.

This pimento cheese tastes good on a variety of crackers or as a sandwich. It is good for about two months—at least, that’s as long as it has been in my fridge before being devoured.

I make this often. When my sister visits, she usually asks if I have any pimento cheese in the fridge. She loves it too!

The Meaning of the Color of Roses

by Sandra Merville Hart

When I was a little girl, my mother told me that receiving a bouquet of roses had different meanings, depending on the color. Back then, I preferred yellow roses. Had someone given me a yellow rose at ten, it would have symbolized friendship.

That discussion sparked my interest all those years ago. Here is a list compiled from a couple of sources:

Rose, amethyst—I will love you forever

Rose, blue—Mystery, uniqueness

Rose, coral—Admiration, desire, longevity

Rose, cream—Perfection

Rose, golden—Jealousy

Rose, green—Growth, abundance

Rose, ivory—Grace, charm

Rose, lavender—Love at first sight, rarity, wonder, enchantment

Rose, orange—Energy, desire, enthusiasm, fascination

Rose, peach—Sincerity, modesty, gratitude

Rose, pink—Grace, beauty, youth, innocent love, elegance, sweetness

Rose, red—Love, passion

Rose, rose—Pride, shyness

Rose, white—Innocence, young love, birth, beauty and respect, silence, keep my secret

Rose, yellow—Joy, friendship, I love another, jealousy

Rose, white/pink—Unity, commitment

Additionally, giving a single rose symbolizes simplicity and perpetual love. A rose bud symbolizes hope and innocence.

In the Victorian era, young ladies would have known the meaning of the different rose colors. I’m an author of inspirational historical romances. I love discovering tidbits like these for my novels!

Sources:

Boeckmann, Catherine. “What Does Each Flower Symbolize?” Almanac, 2025/04/21 https://www.almanac.com/flower-meanings-language-flowers.

“Rose Color Meanings,” Fifty Colors, 2025/04/22 https://fiftyflowers.com/blogs/flowers/rose-color-meanings.

Hawkins, Linda J. The Unspoken Language of Fans & Flowers, Heart to Heart Publishing, 2007.

Whispers of Fortune by Mary Connealy

Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

Golden State Treasure, Book 1

Dr. Brody MacKenzie arrives at the Two Harts Ranch in California, determined to find his younger brothers and, if necessary, rescue them. Instead, he is relieved to find them in school and learning trades. No matter what their teacher, Ellie Hart, says, Brody is in a hurry to take them back East where he has a job waiting. His brothers are more interested in searching for their family’s hidden treasure.

Ellie immediately hires Brody as the ranch’s doctor, hoping to keep the man who has snagged her attention in California. Instead, she finds herself caught up in helping the brothers to follow a treasure map.

Unfortunately, they are not the only ones interested in the treasure.

Connealy has woven a multi-layered historical romance that kept me turning pages. Long-time readers of this author will recognize characters from another series within these pages.

My interest was snagged early, and I read the book quickly. I’ve read other books by this author, and they’ve always ended with a significant cliff-hanger. This one did the same. Readers are left with questions about upcoming events.

I liked the book, and can’t wait to read the next one.

Christianbook.com

The Secret Language of Fans

by Sandra Merville Hart

Hand fans have been used for about 4,000 years, beginning with the Egyptians. They were used in ancient Greece to shoo flies and to fan the flames while cooking by the 4th century BC. In ancient China, fans were made of silk, bamboo, wood, paper, or feathers.

Folding fans were heavily imported from China to European countries beginning in the 1600s. Some fifteenth-century fans that still survive contain cut-out designs in a lacy pattern. After a while, the fans were painted with leaves, flowers, and scenes commemorating special occasions. The sticks were made of bone, ivory, horn, mother of pearl, tortoise shell, or wood.

It seems that a language was associated with the fans, though it’s unclear how much it was used. When it began, the communication was done with individual letters. This evolved into making gestures in a secret flirtatious language first published by Fanella, a Spanish man. Then Fran Bartholomew wrote them in German.

In 1827, Jean-Pierre Duvelleroy opened a fan-making house in Paris. His fans sparked a wider use of fans at balls. Jean-Pierre gave his London Duvelleroy house to Jules Duvelleroy, his son. Jules published an English version of “The Language of the Fan”.

Here are a few of the codes:

Carrying the fan in the right hand in front of the face: Follow me

Draw the fan across the face: I love you

Place the fan on the left ear: I wish to get rid of you

Touch the fan’s tip with finger: I wish to speak to you

Let the fan rest on right cheek: Yes

Let the fan rest on left cheek: No

Fan slowly: I am married

Fan quickly: I am engaged

Open wide: Wait for me

With little finger extended: Goodbye

Of course, the young man must understand the meaning or the young woman’s efforts are in vain.

Some sources question how much this coded language was used. The best source would be novels written during that time.

Sources:

“Duvelleroy,” Wikipedia, 2025/04/21 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duvelleroy.

“Hand Fan,” Wikipedia, 2025/04/19 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hand_fan.

Hawkins, Linda J. The Unspoken Language of Fans & Flowers, Heart to Heart Publishing, 2007.

Luckel, Madeleine. “Why It’s Time to Revisit the Handheld Fan—And Its Secret Language,” Vogue, 2025/04/19 https://www.vogue.com/article/secret-language-of-the-fan-eighteenth-century-fans-de-young-museum.

Sayers, Rachel. “Let the Fan Do the Talking: Flirting in the Victorian Era,” The National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA, 2025/04/19 https://ntsusa.org/fan-victorian-flirting/.

Starp, Alexandra. “The Secret Language of Fans,” Sotheby’s, 2025/04/10 https://www.sothebys.com/en/articles/the-secret-language-of-fans.