Meet author Sandra Merville Hart
Sandra Merville Hart, award-winning and Amazon bestselling author of inspirational historical romances, loves to discover little-known yet fascinating facts from American history to include in her stories. Her desire is to transport her readers back in time. She is also a blogger, speaker, and conference teacher. Connect with Sandra on her blog, https://sandramervillehart.com/.
Tell us about your newest book.
A Southern belle fights to reclaim her home, but will her spying destroy the Union officer she never meant to love?
Savannah Adair has endured the unimaginable, hiding in a cave while her beloved Vicksburg was under siege. With the city now occupied by Union soldiers, Savannah cannot stand by and do nothing. So when one of the gaunt, half-starved Confederate prisoners asks her to spy for the South, she can’t refuse the chance to take back her home.
First Lieutenant Travis Lawson takes pride in the Union army’s hard-fought victory, but he quickly realizes that the challenges of rebuilding and reconciliation are just beginning . . . and not everyone is appreciative of changes he’s making. Namely, the fiery and alluring Savannah Adair. Despite their differing loyalties and the societal divide between them, Travis cannot deny the growing feelings he has for her. When he is tasked with finding Southern spies in Vicksburg and he captures a female spy, Travis is forced to consider that the woman he’s beginning to love may be the enemy.
What inspired you to write your story?
The Confederate army lost both its army and the city at the Civil War Battle of Vicksburg. They surrendered on July 4, 1863. I learned that Vicksburg citizens didn’t celebrate Independence Day for about one hundred years.
What made that experience so terrible that the city couldn’t celebrate the independence of the United States for a century?
I had to discover what those citizens endured. It took three books to write their story. From 1861-1863, through mainly fictional—and a few historical—characters, Books 4 – 6 transport readers to a small Southern city on a bluff beside the Mississippi River, one that the Union was as determined to conquer as the Confederacy was to protect it.
What genre do you focus on.
I write Historical Romance because of my love for history. My favorite novels are those that transport me back in time. I want to experience their way of life, their challenges, and the “current” events of that period. That’s what I try to do for my readers. I research for my stories until I feel as if I’m there…only then can I transport my readers to that time period.
Why do you write?
Stories have pursued my imagination relentlessly my whole life. Now that I’m writing them down, there’s a calm that settles over me when the story is finally completed and on paper. The peace that I feel upon reaching those wonderful words “THE END” lets me know that I’ve found my place in this world. I write because I can’t stop. I won’t stop until the stories stop coming. With all the books swirling in my imagination, that won’t be any time soon!
Who is your main character, and how did you choose that name?
Savannah Adair is the heroine in Tides of Healing. We first meet her in Streams of Courage, Book 4. She endures tragedy in advance of being able to tell her story in Book 6. She’s feisty, courageous, and strong. She’s also one of the most beautiful women in Vicksburg but that doesn’t matter to her. I wanted to give this brave Southern belle a name that immediately hearkens to the South.
What is your work schedule like when you’re writing a book?
I write full-time. When writing a book, I average about 10-12 hours a day, depending on the deadline. Two days a week, there are other obligations that limit my writing time. I try to make up for this lost time on the weekends. As the deadline looms closer, my work day expands until I finish it.
What’s the best part of your author’s life?
Making friends with authors, editors, agents, and other writing professionals has been the greatest blessing to me. I have friends all over the country and in other countries that I’ve met at conferences, workshops, booksignings, festivals, and writers’ meetings. What an amazing gift!
Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
My Second Chances Series was also published by Wild Heart Books. A Not So Convenient Marriage, Book 1, is one of the first books I ever wrote. It was rejected early on but the story wouldn’t let me go. I woke up in the middle of the night thinking about the characters. I went to sleep thinking about them. I woke up thinking about changes to a scene in the book. I continued to modify it in between other writing projects. It was the story that wouldn’t let me go. The story didn’t stop hounding me until it was published. I love this whole series. Another of my recent books is A Spring at The Greenbrier, a novella in Wild Heart’s Romance at the Gilded Age Resorts Series. I love this sweet, nostalgic story set in 1914! I have other books as well that I hope you will read.
What are you working on now?
I am beginning a new historical romance series. It’s set in Tennessee. I’ve started writing the first book but am trying to find one more historical fact. Research for a new series can take months. Selecting a location is key, something that was more challenging than usual. I’ve honed in on the location and can’t wait to write it.
Website: https://sandramervillehart.com/
Link to book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DGMLVJWK
Social media links:
https://www.facebook.com/sandra.m.hart.7
https://www.pinterest.com/sandramhart7/_saved/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8445068.Sandra_Merville_Hart
https://www.amazon.com/Sandra-Merville-Hart/e/B00OBSJ3PU/
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/sandra-merville-hart
https://twitter.com/Sandra_M_Hart
I Don’t Want a Stepmother!
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Emma’s challenges of being a stepmother wasn’t easy. Here’s an excerpt from her story.
Michael sucked in a steadying breath as he held his soon-to-be bride close, the gentle librarian who charmed everyone frequenting the Park’s library. Her shy nature made her approachable and inviting for those seeking assistance among the bookshelves. Behind her reading spectacles, her gaze held a depth of knowledge and empathy. She was slow to speak and always ready to provide a listening ear to those in need. How someone hadn’t won her heart before now was a mystery and a gift.
Somehow, in God’s great mercy, he had won her heart! He wanted to jump up from that bench and shout it to the world. Instead, he sat next to her, quietly thanking the good Lord for her.
Dressed in modest yet tasteful attire, Emma’s soft-spoken mannerisms were complemented by her warm and understanding mahogany eyes. Despite her gentle disposition, she also harbored a curious strength. When faced with challenges, Emma exhibited resilience and determination, just what she’d need to be a lightkeeper’s wife and a stepmother.
Best of all, her love for literature and the pursuit of knowledge made her all the more interesting. That’d be welcome on those long winter nights. He’d come to love her for all of it.
But a weight settled on Michael’s shoulders as he pondered how this gentle and shy librarian would handle the challenges that awaited her on tiny Rock Island. She’d voiced her apprehensions, valid ones he shared, about the responsibilities of being a lightkeeper’s wife. But she hadn’t mentioned her role as a stepmother to his twelve-year-old daughter, Ada. That worried him the most.
Though he should discuss the matter with her, he hesitated, the weight of the unspoken words pressing on him. He had wanted to savor this perfect moment, to bask in the joy of their love before broaching the topic.
He shifted to face Emma who stared at the lighthouse across the water. The sparkle in her eyes mirrored the radiance of the sun, and for a moment, Michael found himself captivated by the beauty of the scene and the woman beside him.
Her thin, narrow face, tiny turned up nose, and full pink lips reminded him so much of Ada. So did her thick auburn hair. Why, they could pass for mother and daughter.
But how would Emma feel about that? How would Ada?
Could Emma be happy with life on the tiny island, the duties of being a lightkeeper’s wife, and her role as stepmother to his twelve-year-old daughter? Though they’d talked about Ada several times, Emma had yet to meet her. His daughter lived over one-hundred-fifty miles away while in school in Rochester, living with her grandparents. And now she’d be home for the summer.
About Emma’s Engagement:
Emma Row embarks on a journey that will test her resilience and love. She marries Michael Diepolder, the Rock Island Lightkeeper and widower, a man who seeks a companion for both himself and his eleven-year-old daughter, Ada. But as she steps into the role of lightkeeper’s wife with a heart full of hope, little does she know that the idyllic setting conceals challenges that will shake the foundation of her happiness. Isolation creeps in, compounded by Ada’s determination to keep her father all to herself. As a storm looms, Emma must grapple with the difficulties of being a stepmother and lightkeeper’s wife. Will she find her place, or will the tumultuous waves of doubt and isolation tear them apart?
For Michael, Emma is not just a wife but the hope for his future. But the lighthouse life and being a stepmother proves harder for Emma than he ever imagined, and Ada’s animosity only intensifies it. When the lighthouse inspector questions Emma’s place due to her Canadian heritage and Ada become deathly ill, the very foundation of their family is shaken. Can their family find solace and unity on this tiny island? Amid the swirling tempest of challenges, Emma, Michael, and Ada must discover the strength within themselves and each other to weather the storm. Emma’s Engagement is a poignant tale of love, resilience, and the enduring bonds that can form in the most unexpected places. This fictional story is based on the actual lives of Michael and Emma Diepolder.
Mark A. Wentling, a descendant of the Rock Island lightkeepers, says, “Although I never met my ancestors Michael and Ada Diepolder, I truly felt transported into their time by Susan’s story. I thoroughly enjoyed imagining their world and the moments they might have shared through Mathis’s storytelling.”
Meet author Alyssa Schwarz
An award-winning author of “Fields of Glass,” Alyssa Schwarz is a Colorado native who attended the Colorado School of Mines, got her masters in Geological Engineering, and promptly became a watercolor artist and author (as one does). She loves writing heartfelt romances with happy endings, a bit of mystery, faith, humor, and second chances. When she’s not writing, you can find her cooking, quilting, painting, or doing any number of crafty activities. Visit her website: https://www.authoralyssaschwarz.com/
Tell us about your newest book.
A Midsummer Romance is part of a multi-author series set in the fictional town of Wild Rose Ridge, Washington. A series for each season, the Autumn series includes Fall festival shenanigans, rodeo cowboys, kissing booths (those Meddling Mothers never give up!), a movie set on Main Street, and a search for an endangered hawk that could preserve Wild Rose Ridge’s small-town charm for years to come.
My book, Wild at Heart, centers around two friends Kimmie (wildlife photographer) and Matt (ex Navy pilot) as they work together to document an elusive hawk which could designate the town as a protective habitat from future developers all while navigating some well-meaning but unwanted help by a few meddling mothers. Two-thousand feet above the ground is the perfect place to reconnect, until the lines of friendship begin to blur. With time running out, and still no closer to finding their target, they must decide what they’re willing to do for a chance at happiness, or if the wild is the only place left for them to run.
What inspired you to write your story?
After writing the summer book about Kimmie’s older brother Caleb, I knew Kimmie needed her own story. My mom and I were watching the TV show Northern Exposure at the time (which was actually filmed not far from the town that inspired Wild Rose Ridge!). I really loved the chemistry between the lead characters along with the wacky small-town quirks and thought it would be fun to capture some of that on the page. I’d say the main themes of this story are about discovering oneself and starting over, which is reflective of the season I’ve been walking through recently and trusting that God’s plans are bigger than my imagination.
What genre do you focus on.
I love writing contemporary romances! They are so much fun to write and read which is incredibly important for our mental and emotional health. There is so much drama and stress in real life, I want readers to be able to escape for just a little while into these stories and believe that yes, there is something to hope for and believe in and yes, God is still in control.
Why do you write?
I write because this is the season God has called me into and because it is where I see Him move in the most incredible ways in my life. Rachel Hauck once said that God calls us to the place where we will draw nearest to Him. That’s what writing is for me. It’s a place where I get to create stories alongside the greatest Storyteller all the while witnessing how those very stories are His way of ministering to my soul as well.
Who is your main character, and how did you choose that name?
The main characters in this story are Kimmie Weaver, a traveling wildlife photographer, and Matt Goodwin, an ex-Navy pilot who is now starting his own charter flight business back in his hometown of Wild Rose Ridge. Kimmie (Kimberly) is an adventurer at heart and fights the conventional expectations of women (professional housewife is the last thing on her mind), so I wanted her name to reflect that independent spirit. Matt, on the other hand, is a straight-laced, by-the-book pilot who thought the military would be his entire life until a medical discharge changed all that. They each bring out the best in each other which also stretching them to step outside their comfort zones.
What is your work schedule like when you’re writing a book?
I try to keep to a schedule and separate writing time from other business items, but I often end up bounding between projects on any given day.
What is the hardest part of being an author?
As an indie author, I often feel the struggle of having to wear so many hats: author, marketer, publisher, editor, graphic designer… It can be a lot, but I try and give myself time and space to focus on each one when need be. I recently signed a contract with Sunrise Publishing, and while I don’t miss having to worry about anything other than writing those books, it has been an adjustment keeping to a stricter writing format. Each type of publishing poses their own struggles and hurdles, but they are each so rewarding.
What’s the best part of your author’s life?
I love that I get to do something creative. My background is in geological engineering, which oddly enough involves a fair bit of storytelling in itself, but it’s so much more fun getting to dream up stories all day.
What’s one thing your readers should know about you?
I only like stories with happy endings, which means I will always ensure my characters get theirs in the end.
How have you changed or grown as a writer?
I now know how to write a synopsis! Lol. Actually, I have a long way to go on that one, but writing for Sunrise is teaching me so many new important skills as a writer like time management and collaborating with an editor during the writing process. Writing is a humbling endeavor, one that reminds me every day to lean into God and His strength.
What is your favorite pastime?
Reading, quilting, watching Hallmark movies, and time with friends.
Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
Yes! I released a book in the Wild Rose Summer series this past June, and the Prescott Series is complete and all available in KU on Amazon. I’m excited to share that the final book in that series, Fields of Glass, won a Christlit book award this fall!
What are you working on now?
I am currently working on a book for Sunrise Publishing while writing the next Wild Rose Ridge adventure! (Among many other projects in the works)
Website: https://www.authoralyssaschwarz.com/
Link to book: https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Heart-Autumn-Rose-Ridge-ebook/dp/B0DD94DKX9
Social media links:
– Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoralyssaschwarz
– Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alyssaschwarzauthor/
– Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21846420.Alyssa_Schwarz
The Old Maid Marries!
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Finally, the third and final story in the Love at a Lighthouse series is out. Here’s an excerpt from Emma’s Engagement that you might enjoy.
At the ripe old age of thirty-seven, she could hardly believe that this day had finally come—the day she had dreamed of since she was a little girl. As she took her first steps down the aisle, her eyes fixed on the altar where Michael stood waiting for her, a sense of peace washed over her.Top of Form
The soft strains of the organ filled the air, and the congregation stood to watch her. Ada, in her pretty pink dress, was already halfway down the aisle, dramatically scattering wildflowers that matched those on the altar.
Emma’s heart raced as she caught Michael’s eager gaze. He offered her a reassuring smile, his eyes filled with love and devotion. Her smile blossomed so wide it almost hurt.
When she reached his side, they exchanged a tender glance and their hands found each other’s in a silent promise. Michael leaned in and whispered, “Good morning, my love.”
“Good morning, Michael.” Emma smiled at her soon-to-be husband, but out of the corner of her eye, she caught Ada’s, who shot her a narrow-eyed scowl.
Pastor Wiseman, their elderly friend who had matched them up, began the ceremony, his voice echoing through the hallowed halls. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness and celebrate the union of Emma Row and Michael Diepolder in holy matrimony.”
She listened attentively, for she wanted to remember every moment of this day. Amid the solemnity of the moment, a sense of joy and expectancy filled her heart.
“Marriage is a sacred covenant, a union not to be entered into lightly, but with reverence and respect. Emma and Michael, as you stand here today, may your love continue to grow and flourish, may you support and cherish one another through all the joys and challenges that life may bring, and may God lead the way.”
Pastor Wiseman continued the ceremony speaking of love, commitment, and the sacred bond of marriage. Surrounded by their loved ones, they recited their vows, their words carrying a lifetime of promises. With each “I do,” Emma’s anxiety about Ada melted away, replaced by a sense of joy and celebration.
Finally, with a triumphant flourish, the pastor pronounced them husband and wife. The church erupted into applause as they enjoyed their first kiss as a married couple, sealing their union with a tender embrace.
About Emma’s Engagement:
Emma Row embarks on a journey that will test her resilience and love. She marries Michael Diepolder, the Rock Island Lightkeeper and widower, a man who seeks a companion for both himself and his eleven-year-old daughter, Ada. But as she steps into the role of lightkeeper’s wife with a heart full of hope, little does she know that the idyllic setting conceals challenges that will shake the foundation of her happiness. Isolation creeps in, compounded by Ada’s determination to keep her father all to herself. As a storm looms, Emma must grapple with the difficulties of being a stepmother and lightkeeper’s wife. Will she find her place, or will the tumultuous waves of doubt and isolation tear them apart?
For Michael, Emma is not just a wife but the hope for his future. But the lighthouse life and being a stepmother proves harder for Emma than he ever imagined, and Ada’s animosity only intensifies it. When the lighthouse inspector questions Emma’s place due to her Canadian heritage and Ada become deathly ill, the very foundation of their family is shaken. Can their family find solace and unity on this tiny island? Amid the swirling tempest of challenges, Emma, Michael, and Ada must discover the strength within themselves and each other to weather the storm. Emma’s Engagement is a poignant tale of love, resilience, and the enduring bonds that can form in the most unexpected places. This fictional story is based on the actual lives of Michael and Emma Diepolder.
Mark A. Wentling, a descendant of the Rock Island lightkeepers, says, “Although I never met my ancestors Michael and Ada Diepolder, I truly felt transported into their time by Susan’s story. I thoroughly enjoyed imagining their world and the moments they might have shared through Mathis’s storytelling.”
My Rock Island Lighthouse story, Emma’s Engagement, is here!
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Finally, the third and final story in the Love at a Lighthouse series is here! It’s called Emma’s Engagement and here’s what it’s about:
Emma Row embarks on a journey that will test her resilience and love. She marries Michael Diepolder, the Rock Island Lightkeeper and widower, a man who seeks a companion for both himself and his eleven-year-old daughter, Ada. But as she steps into the role of lightkeeper’s wife with a heart full of hope, little does she know that the idyllic setting conceals challenges that will shake the foundation of her happiness. Isolation creeps in, compounded by Ada’s determination to keep her father all to herself. As a storm looms, Emma must grapple with the difficulties of being a stepmother and lightkeeper’s wife. Will she find her place, or will the tumultuous waves of doubt and isolation tear them apart?
For Michael, Emma is not just a wife but the hope for his future. But the lighthouse life and being a stepmother proves harder for Emma than he ever imagined, and Ada’s animosity only intensifies it. When the lighthouse inspector questions Emma’s place due to her Canadian heritage and Ada become deathly ill, the very foundation of their family is shaken. Can their family find solace and unity on this tiny island? Amid the swirling tempest of challenges, Emma, Michael, and Ada must discover the strength within themselves and each other to weather the storm. Emma’s Engagement is a poignant tale of love, resilience, and the enduring bonds that can form in the most unexpected places. This fictional story is based on the actual lives of Michael and Emma Diepolder.
Here’s an excerpt: The Night Sky
When they reached the parapet, Emma poured them each a glass of tea and handed them a cookie. The night sky unfolded before them, a vast canvas of twinkling stars. The cool breeze tousled their hair, and Ada’s eyes sparkled with excitement. She studied the sky and pointed. “Look, Emma. Over there is Orion, the mighty hunter. See those three bright stars in a row? They make up his belt. And if you follow the belt down, you’ll see his sword hanging from it.”
Emma’s eyes widened, captivated by Ada’s enthusiastic explanations. “That’s incredible, Ada. I’ve heard of Orion, but I never knew how to identify him in the sky. You truly are an expert.”
Ada beamed with pride. “Papa taught me all I know. He’s the brilliant one. But thank you. Orion is my favorite constellation. Cassiopeia is my second. See that group of stars over there? It looks like a big ‘M’ or ‘W’ depending on how it’s positioned.”
Emma stared at the sky for several moments and frowned. Michael helped her see it by coming behind her and pointed within her field of vision. Finally, she exclaimed, “I see it! I see it, Ada! Show me more.”
Ada grinned wide. “Your turn, Papa. I want to eat my cookie.”
Michael chuckled. “You can have mine, too. You need to put some meat on those bones, my girl.”
She rolled her eyes and took a bite, while Emma waited expectantly, her eyes trained on the stars. What a glorious night, having both of his girls with him on this clear, still summer’s eve!
He searched for the next constellation he could introduce her to. “Look there, just above the horizon. That is Ursa Major, the Great Bear.”
Emma nodded. “I only knew one until now. There…those seven stars are the Big Dipper.”
Ada clanged her glass on Emma’s, almost making her spill it. “Good for you. That’s a start. And now you know lots more. Won’t your friend be pleased?”
“She will indeed.”
The hour slipped away as they immersed themselves in the celestial spectacle above them. They marveled at the beauty of the stars, connecting the dots to form mythical creatures and heroes of ancient tales. Laughter and whispers filled the air, blending with the distant sound of crashing waves.
Suddenly, a streak of light shot across the sky, leaving a trail of shimmering stardust in its wake. The three of them gasped in unison, their eyes fixed on the falling star.
Emma cheered. “Quick, make a wish!”
Meet author Lynne Tagawa
Lynne Tagawa is an educator, author, and editor living in South Texas. Best of all, she’s a mom of four and a grandma to six. She loves writing historical fiction with a theological emphasis. A Fallen Sparrow: A Novel of the American Revolution, is a 2023 Selah Awards finalist. She sometimes falls down rabbit holes in her research, and her husband enables her by ignoring the dust.
What inspired you to write your story?
The Root of the Matter was inspired by John Winthrop, the first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. I’d read bits of his journal and was amazed at the depth of his heart. Not a cold man or harsh magistrate. But I didn’t know how to communicate this long-ago era until I had an epiphany: a character who goes back in time.
What genre do you focus on.
I love history and love historical fiction because it brings history to life. My passion is to be accurate but at the same time relatable and entertaining!
Why do you write?
For me, it’s an empty-nester thing. My kids are grown, and I don’t know how to sew. And all my plants die.
Who is your main character, and how did you choose that name?
Geneva Fielding is an archivist in the Department of Applied History at Harvard of the (near) future. Geneva is a reference to Geneva, Switzerland, a hub of the Protestant Reformation. It is also the name of the Bible translation the Pilgrims and Puritans read.
What is your work schedule like when you’re writing a book?
I try to write a little every day, but it doesn’t always happen. Sometimes, it just happens in my head. It marinates before I set it down.
What is the hardest part of being an author?
The discipline. To keep writing. I love it, but still.
What’s the best part of your author’s life?
Coming to the end of the story—putting the final polish on it—there’s a lot of satisfaction there.
How have you changed or grown as a writer?
I’ve learned the craft of writing over time, of course. But I’ve also learned from my research. I’ve had to study the history and the theology woven into my stories. So, when my readers say they learn a lot from my books, well, I have to say, so have I!
Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
I’ve written a series set during the 18th century, and it’s NOT time travel. Just straight history—from the Great Awakening to the American Revolution. The first in the series is The Shenandoah Road: A Novel of the Great Awakening.
What are you working on now?
The sequel, of course! Geneva Fielding goes back in time to investigate Anne Hutchinson and the craziness of those couple of years. I plan for the American Puritans series to be a trilogy—at least!
Website: www.lynnetagawa.com
Link to book: https://amzn.to/3KsK6uA
Social media links: X: @LynneTagawa
Facebook: Lynne Basham Tagawa