Short Stories in Ohio Collection

From the Lake to the River: The Buckeye Christian Fiction Authors 2018 Anthology

Ohio Authors writing Stories and Novellas set in Ohio

Published by Mt. Zion Ridge Press

 

Short stories don’t often receive reviews because reviewers shouldn’t give the story away. Here are snippets about short stories in this collection. No spoilers. All so different—recommend!

Fred’s Gift by Bettie Boswell

Heartwarming story about loss and gain, set in Ohio’s heartland at Christmastime.

 

Evie’s Letter by Cindy Thomson

The War between the States is past. Putting aside their differences is difficult for folks in Cardington even though General Ulysses S. Grant is now President Grant. Excellent!

 

Debt to Pay by JPC Allen

Two brothers find someone in the woods—and suddenly their lives are in danger, too. Suspenseful—a page-turner!

 

Christmas Angels by Carole Brown

A young Cincinnati wife and mother misses her husband, off at war, but why hasn’t he sent her money for two months? Heartwarming!

-Sandra Merville Hart

Amazon

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Woodlands by Robin Jones Gunn

Book 7 in The Glenbrooke Series

This is the first book I’ve read in this series and I’m already hooked. I love the small town feel where “everyone knows everyone.”

Leah has resigned herself that no man will ever want to marry her. The guys in high school dated and married her classmates. She’s not like her older sisters, who married and moved away from Glenbrooke. Leah stayed to take care of her aging parents, despite the continuing negative comments from her dad who wished she’d been his only son instead of his last daughter.

Her parents had passed, but Leah is still taking care of everyone. Then she meets Seth.

Seth’s family has ties to the town. His uncle is a descendant of the town’s first resident. Seth is interested in the beautiful Leah from the start, though she holds him at an arm’s length. But Seth has reasons of his own for coming to Glenbrooke …

The characters captured my heart right away, though some of their choices frustrated me. I kept returning to the story to discover what happened next. A page turner!

And the townsfolk captivated me, too. I will look for other books in this series and by this author.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Christianbook.com

Troy and the Great Flood of 1913

Images of America Series

Hard rains began on Easter Sunday. The city of Troy, Ohio, received almost 10 inches of rain in five days, flooding the Great Miami River out of its banks.

This nonfiction resource book shows details of the rising water, risky water rescues, and how the townspeople pulled together to care for the suffering in shelters and makeshift hospitals.

The Miami County sheriff, Louis Paul, directed boat rescues. So many people were in danger flood that men were released from Troy City Jail to join rescue efforts.

Excellent book for history lovers.

Reading this book and visiting the city’s museums so inspired me that I wrote a novella, Surprised by Love, about the 1913 flood in Troy. My novella is part of an anthology, From the Lake to the River. Stories in this anthology collection are set in Ohio locations and written by Ohio writers.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Cold Read by Sharyn Kopf

Part of From the Lake to the River: The Buckeye Christian Fiction Authors 2018 Anthology

Published by Mt. Zion Ridge Press

Stephie Graham begins to regret her decision to direct a play at the community theater when everything unravels. An unfortunate accident takes the female lead out of the play too close to opening night to find a replacement.

Stephie will have to play the role—but that may not be such a bad thing. After all, she will spend more time with Andy Tremont, the male lead who has captivated her since they met.

The small city theater even has its own resident ghost, a singer from the 1930s with a tragic story.

With a fresh, easy-to-read style, Kopf has woven a fun and enjoyable contemporary romance. It was also an insightful glimpse into the difficulties and joys of community theaters.

I will look for more by this author.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Amazon

 

How is God Working in Your Life Today by Freddie Woods Wilson

My Mind, My Heart is for Optional

This journal is unique in that every page begins with the question “How is God working in your Life Today?”

A daily inspirational scripture verse is included on every page. The author leaves space to journal the highlights of what is happening in your life, allowing you to ponder God’s guidance, leading, and protection in the situations you face.

An excellent question to think about at the end of each day, this journal reminds us to watch for God’s answers to our prayers.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Courtesy Turn by Rebecca Williams Waters

Part of From the Lake to the River: The Buckeye Christian Fiction Authors 2018 Anthology

Published by Mt. Zion Ridge Press

This contemporary romance is a definite page-turner!

I really enjoyed the humor and honesty of a widow who wants to meet a special man and begin dating again.

Lori’s son, Ethan, tends to be bossy—as if she is the child and he is the parent. She’s ready for that to change.

She used to enjoy square dancing. Should she return to it? She’d made some great friends there.

While there, a cowboy catches her eye …

Lovable characters—including Lori’s cat—make this an enjoyable read. I’ve read other books by this author and will look for more.

Recommend this novella and the other stories in this collection!

-Sandra Merville Hart

Amazon

 

Soldier’s Heart by Tamera Lynn Kraft

Part of From the Lake to the River: The Buckeye Christian Fiction Authors 2018 Anthology

Published by Mt. Zion Ridge Press

Noah returns home after his three years of serving in the Seventh Ohio to a hero’s welcome … only he doesn’t feel like a hero. The war’s still going on in the summer of 1864 and he only wants to see his bride, Molly.

Though thrilled to have Noah home from the war, Molly senses his wound still troubles him. That isn’t the worst part. He sees Southern soldiers outside their Ohio farm. Soldiers who aren’t there.

He suffers from soldier’s heart.

Both main characters in this novella tugged at my heart, as it was impossible not to feel for both of them. Well-written and researched, the story kept me turning pages. I read it from beginning to end. Recommend!

I’ve read books by this author before and will look for more.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Releases on September 1st! Preorder on Amazon!

 

Praying for the Prodigal by Andrea Merrell

The author of this book shares her desolate journey when not only one but two of her children took dark paths, becoming prodigals.

They’d been raised in a Christian home. Attended church all their lives. How could this happen?

The book quotes a statistic: “88 percent of children raised in an evangelical Christian home will leave the church by the age of eighteen.” A staggering number. The author goes on to share that half of them find their way back.

The author’s honesty makes this a compelling read. She shares what happened with her children and then gives advice to parents in the midst of the storm.

Recommend this book for parents who are praying for prodigals.

-Sandra Merville Hart

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

 

Summer Song by Michelle Levigne

 

Part of From the Lake to the River: The Buckeye Christian Fiction Authors 2018 Anthology

Published by Mt. Zion Ridge Press

After three months apart, Dani Paul looks forward to spending the summer with her boyfriend, Kurt Green. She and the rest of her band will help run music boot camps for college students. Nine months of traveling with her band leave her longing to stay in one spot.

A new keyboard player goes with them. Their last keyboard player, Bruno, had quit the group when he realized Dani dated Kurt. Then she finds that Bruno has taken a job at the camp.

This novella is part of a Tabor Heights series by the author. The main characters are believable and likable. Suspenseful and mysterious events kept me turning pages, trying to figure out the culprit. A college student? Bruno? There are a lot of characters so the story kept me on my toes. I enjoyed the story!

I’ve read books by this author before and will look for more.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Releases on September 1st! Preorder on Amazon!

A Patchwork of Promises by Gayle Ottemiller

 

30 Devotions for Quilters

This devotional book is an inspirational read. Each day begins with a scripture reference. Then the author gives an inspiring story, often revealing a glimpse into her past. She ends with a promise from the scripture.

But the last part of each day’s reading is the reason that it’s geared to quilters. “Sew On” gives helpful sewing tips. Sometimes these are specific to quilters and sometimes not, so I believe anyone who sews would relate to this devotional.

Dealing with such topics as the fruit of the Spirit, God’s love, and safe havens, I found this an easy read. Some sewing devotions are also nestled in there.

Each day’s devotion takes only about 5 minutes to read so it is good for busy folks.

The sewing tips included set this apart for me. I really enjoyed the book and will watch for other books by this author.

-Sandra Merville Hart

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