Sweet Inspirationals

Top Ten Favorite

Historical Heartsong Presents

 

I began reading Heartsong Presents well over a decade ago, and it breaks my heart that they’ve been discontinued. I enjoy the sweet simplicity of these stories. They’re free of profanity, graphic violence and sexual overtones, which is why I love them.

These books deal with a wide variety of social issues and, at the same time, incorporate an uplifting Christian message. Reading about different time periods, various locations, and a wide variety of occupations really holds my interest.

I can’t say enough great things about this series. Here are ten favorites, in the historical genre.

 

AS THE RIVER DRIFTS AWAY, by Diane T. Ashley and Aaron McCarver: This book demonstrated that no matter how mismatched a couple can be, God can work miracles and heal the deepest of wounds. Heartwarming, inspiring and set during the Civil War, I loved it.  

THE COLUMNS OF COTTONWOOD, by Sandra Robbins: This book dealt with the Reconstruction Period following the Civil War. Savannah Carmichael wanted nothing more than to hang on to her family’s plantation. She had to work hard and learn to compromise, which made me root for her all the more.      

ELIZA, by Mildred Colvin: The heroine Eliza is determined to keep what’s left of her family together. I really admired her for that. She did a lot of growing as a character and I rooted for her along the way, until she got her happily ever after.

THE GLASSBLOWER, by Laurie Alice Eakes: So often I learn things about myself by relating with the hero and/or heroine. In this book I related to a secondary character, the father of the heroine, Meg. Meg’s father loved her very much, but his overbearing ways made life difficult for her. Seeing the mistakes this character made has inspired me to be more patient with my kids. Also, reading about the occupation of glassblowing was interesting.       

HEART’S HERITAGE, by Ramona K. Cecil: A pregnant woman in peril is one sure way to get me turning the pages of a book. Annie Martin was one tough cookie for homesteading, while recently widowed, and pregnant. When Indians kidnapped her, Brock Martin came to the rescue. Suspenseful yet heartwarming, a great story.

THE HONORABLE HEIR, by Laurie Alice Eakes: In this book I learned about a location I hadn’t heard of before, Tuxedo Park, New York. This suspenseful who-dunnit had me turning pages to find out what happened to the Bisterne jewels. I just knew it couldn’t be Catherine, the heroine. It had a surprising yet satisfying ending.  

IN SEARCH OF A MEMORY, by Pamela Griffin: A fantastic book set during the Great Depression. When the heroine Angel, was emotionally mistreated by her family I really felt for her. A happily ever after seemed near impossible with Roland since his family was a bunch of gangsters, but it happened. This book taught me a lot about carnival life in that era, too.   

RAMSHACKLE ROSE, by Cathy Marie Hake: I loved how the character Rose was so different from what most women were in 1897. She embraced her uniqueness and didn’t try to fold herself into a stereo-typical mold. I thought that showed great strength for a character.   

PROMISE OF TIME, by S. Dionne Moore: This one piqued my interest because the heroine, Ellie Lester, worked on the Underground Railroad during the Civil War. Then, the hero, Theodore comes to visit. Sparks flew, but with time love grew, and proved to be stronger than bitterness.

OZARK SWEETHEARTS, by Helen Gray: One of the reason’s I liked this book is because it was set during the Great Depression. It also dealt with bootlegging, two issues that, from what I’ve seen, aren’t often written about. It was different, which made for an enjoyable read.

 

Join me next month when I list another ten of my favorite books.