About the Book

Book: Streams of Courage

Author: Sandra Merville Hart

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: March 26, 2024

In a world turned upside down by war and betrayal…will his role as a spy bring them closer…or tear their future apart?

The war that Julia Dodd prayed to avoid is now reality, and with it, her world has been turned on its head. Her fellow citizens, who stood with her in their support of the union, have crossed firmly to the side of the south. And her mother, lost in her grief over the loss of her husband and children, can think of nothing but protecting Julia’s brother’s inheritance. She insists that her daughter seek a wealthier husband than Ashburn Mitchell.

Ash knows what his fellow citizens think of him when he refuses to fight for the Confederacy. Shouldering the accusation of being a coward and refusing to hide behind his limp, Ash remains in Vicksburg to support his family as a saddler while his two best friends join the fight. Struggling to increase his business so he can marry the woman he loves, Ash becomes a spy in support of the Union. He can’t fight for the South but won’t raise a musket against them.

As tragedy instigates Ash to risk greater danger to speed the end of the war, Julia can only pray it won’t cost them everything. She’s already lost her father and two siblings. Must she lose the man she loves too?

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About the Author

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.

More from Sandra

In Streams of Courage, Book 4 in my Spies of the Civil War Series, Julia, our heroine, has suffered several significant losses in her life, including her father and two siblings. Her mother’s insistence that Julia stop courting Ash, a saddler, and find instead a rich suitor makes no sense. Surely her father had provided for her.

Then she discovers that her parents have only provided for her younger brother, whom her mother had always adored. Julia will be penniless when her mother dies. The knowledge crushes her.

Ash is already supporting his mother and siblings. As Mama points out, adding a wife and children will stretch his income to the limits. Mama will not give her blessing should Ash propose. Julia, who had been raised in comfort, must find some means of support.

As I considered how Julia could make money in a war-time economy, it was clear her mother, as the daughter of a wealthy plantation owner, would never condone her working in a shop. What can she do?

Tatting lace.

Her lace patterns have received compliments in the past. With fewer ships bringing goods into the city, lace is in short supply. Granted, the demand for lace has diminished because even dress fabric isn’t as available as before the war.

I enjoyed researching this skill that was once so prevalent among young ladies in society. I watched videos on making lace with a special needle called a tatting needle.

The most basic stitch is the double-stitch. There is a special way to hold the needle and thread so that the first stitch grabs thread from under the thumb and the second stitch grabs it from over the thumb. There is a rhythm to the stitching in the hands of a skilled lacemaker.

I watched videos that demonstrated making rings with picot trim. There is a variety of stitching. The variations create beautiful patterns. The lace is then rolled for storage.

Fascinating. It’s mesmerizing to watch the different patterns emerge.

Tatting is a small yet interesting aspect in the adventurous story. Ash has become a Union spy. For her and her family’s safety, he keeps his dangerous activities a secret from Julia.

Part of my research for this novel and the next two novels included a trip to Vicksburg, Mississippi. I toured the museums and walked the streets of the historic city. Though I wasn’t certain of my story at the time of my visit, I was inspired by the history.

Avenue of Betrayal, Book 1, is set in the Union capital of Washington City (Washington DC) in 1861, where a surprising number of Confederate sympathizers and spies lived. Boulevard of Confusion and Byway to Danger are set in Richmond, the Confederate capital in 1862. Actual historical spies touch the lives of our fictional family.

Through both real and fictional characters, this series highlights activities spies were involved in and some of the motives behind their decisions.

I invite you to read the whole “Spies of the Civil War” series!

Interview with Sandra

Share something your readers wouldn’t know about you.

My love of reading began with my first visit to the school library when in third grade. Awestruck, I stared at bookcases lines with books, most of them too tall for me to reach. I didn’t know which book to read first.

The librarian suggested I read biographies about little boys and girls who accomplished big things when they grew up. A biography was the first book I checked out from the library.

I began to wonder where books came from and asked the librarian.

“Authors write them,” she said with a twinkle in her eye.

It was a new term for me. “What are authors?”

The librarian smiled. “Authors are people whose job it is to write books.”

My heart nearly exploded with excitement. “When I grow up, I want to write books.”

That desire never left me, even when life got in the way of my dream. 😊  

What has been your favorite part of the publishing journey? 

Writing the stories that won’t let me go and seeing them in print is immensely satisfying. Some stories played out in my head for years before I began pursuing writing as a career. One in particular, A Not So Convenient Marriage, kept me awake at night for about a dozen years. I wrote the first draft of that book about a dozen years ago but it wasn’t published. It’s strange to say but the characters didn’t leave my imagination until the book was published. Seeing my books in print brings me joy and deep satisfaction.

Equally as important is the friends I’ve made because of my writing career. Connecting with readers and other authors makes the journey so much more fun!

What were the highlight or key challenges you faced when writing this book?

Research is a big part of the preparation for all my historical novels, but especially my Civil War novels. I immerse myself in the time period, the events, and what was happening with a particular city or regiment. Then, after I know my story and begin writing, I constantly research new aspects of history that come to light as the story unfolds.

Streams of Courage was especially challenging as I added key information passed on by spies. I was constantly checking my research notes, rereading sections of nonfiction resources, and searching for new information to add vibrancy and authenticity to the story.

Where can readers find out more about you and your books?

I love to connect with readers!

I’d love for readers to connect with me on my blog, Historical Nibbles, where I share historical recipes and food-related posts, American history posts, and book reviews. I also share recipes from my books and historical background for my stories. It’s a lot of fun—and a fair amount of work—to maintain this blog. I invite readers to check it out.

Please join my Facebook Group, Readers of Author Sandra Merville Hart! https://www.facebook.com/groups/660915885257576. This is where I host release parties—with prizes!—and share about my books. Hope you can join us!

You can find me on my blog, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Goodreads, Amazon Author Page, and BookBub.

Any current or upcoming projects you’d like to tell us about?

I’m so happy you asked!

Just a month after Streams of Courage releases, I’m thrilled that A Spring at The Greenbrier, Book 7 in Romance at the Gilded Age Resorts Series, will be published on April 30, 2024!

It was such fun to join this series with other talented Wild Heart Books authors! A Spring at The Greenbrier is set in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, where the historic, breathtakingly beautiful resort is located. It was such a joy to explore the grounds and history of The Greenbrier. Marilla, our heroine, works in the resort’s new Bath Wing in 1914.

Additionally, River of Peril, Book 5 in my Spies of the Civil War Series, will release in October! This book will continue with some of the characters you’ve grown to love in Book 4. Of course, the book’s main setting is Vicksburg. The story starts with Felicity learning that Luke has been wounded in December of 1862. He’s in a Vicksburg hospital where she volunteers—with amnesia. He doesn’t remember her and it breaks her heart.

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, April 17

Alena Mentink, April 18

Connie’s History Classroom, April 18

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 19

Bizwings Book Blog, April 20

Holly’s Book Corner, April 21

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 21

Texas Book-aholic, April 22

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 23

Betti Mace, April 24

Pause for Tales, April 24

Cover Lover Book Review, April 25

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 26

Books You Can Feel Good About, April 27

Lights in a Dark World, April 27

For Him and My Family, April 28

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, April 29 (Author Interview)

The Lofty Pages, April 29

Blossoms and Blessings, April 30

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Sandra is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/2afa6/streams-of-courage-celebration-tour-giveaway