Patty Smith Hall – författare

A baby to cherish Home from the war, army nurse Thea Miller is determined to adopt her late sister’s baby and begin a new life. But someone else has the same intentions—the town sheriff and Thea's old friend, Mack Worthington. Now in order to keep her niece in the family, Thea must reach an agreement with him.Mack isn't sure Thea—whose actions once hurt him badly—is committed to baby Sarah. And a judge may never approve a single parent adoption for either of them. But what if they got married? It would be a marriage in name only. Yet the more time Mack spends with Thea, the more he begins to believe their pretend family can become the real one they’ve both been longing for.

A brave fight for literacy during the Great DepressionFour women set out on horseback to bring the library to remote communities Part of FDR's New Deal was the Works Progress Administration, which funded the Pack Horse Library Initiative. Ride along with four book-loving women who bravely fight for literacy in remote communities during the Great Depression by carrying library books via horseback. Will their efforts be rewarded by finding love in the process?Love's Turning Page by Cynthia Hickey 1935, Ozark Mountains Grace Billings jumped at the chance to be a traveling librarian, but she didn't anticipate the long days of work, the intense poverty, or the handsome new schoolteacher whose love for the mountain people surpasses even her own.For Such a Timeby Patty Smith Hall 1936, Pine Mountain, Georgia Forced out of her nursing job due to budget cuts, Ruth Sims applies for a position with the Pack Horse Library incentive, only to discover she must go to the one place she swore never to return. The children instantly steal her heart with their thirst for books, and she's happy in her post until she meets their teacher, Will Munroethe man who broke her heart.Book Lady of the Bayou by Marilyn Turk 1936, Mississippi Forced out of her comfort zone, Lily Bee Davis travels by horse or boat taking books to remote areas. When she meets little Evie and her reclusive father at a dilapidated plantation house, she is drawn by their losses and longs to draw them out into life again.The Librarian and the Lawman by Kathleen Y'Barbo 1936, Kentucky Lottie Trent connects with a backwoods bully's wife by secretly carrying messages for her in exchange for books. FBI agent Clayton Turnbow is on the trail of a criminal gang and discovers the packhorse librarian maybe a key member.

Christmas Is a Time for Romance at a 1880s Department Store   Visit Scranton, Pennsylvania, in 1881 where the Woodworth’s Five and Dime has become the center of Christmas commerce—and a great place to fall in love.  A Merry Little Christmas by Susanne Dietze Woolworth’s store clerk Hattie Scott’s heart is touched by a handsome customer, but when she takes on additional secretarial work to earn money for Christmas, she learns her new boss is Englishman Timothy Branson—her favorite customer. . .and a threat to her brother’s job! Can two proud hearts overcome their differences to help her brother. . .and find love?  A Home for Christmas by Patty Smith Hall Essie Banfield doesn’t need money but welcomes the challenges of working a job where she meets a minister and six little boys who inspire Christmas wishes. But will Pastor Max Warner trust that she is more than just a socialite with charitable intentions?  The Light of Christmas by Christina Lorenzen A job is the only thing independent orphan Lizzie Miller needs, and Henry Kimball is singularly focused on proving his success outside the family business. But could the lure of an old-fashioned family Christmas bring them together?  Lunch with Maggie by Cynthia Hickey Maggie Larson works the lunch counter where she befriends a girl who’s lonely father delivers milk each Friday. Friday’s noon hour becomes the highlight of Maggie’s week, but after being left at the altar, she closed her heart to love and to God. Will Seth Jamison be able to unlock her heart?  

A Girl Scout Troop Joins the Battle of the Atlantic  Full of intrigue, adventure, and romance, this new series celebrates the unsung heroes—the heroines of WWII.   Ginny Mathis was finished with nursing school and had no intention of staying rooted in the Outer Banks—then war broke out. With her father away, she feels duty-bound to stay and help her mother and younger sister. While working as a clerk for the Oregon Inlet ferry, naval officers ask Ginny and others to be watchful for German U-boats reportedly spotted in the area. So to help occupy her teenage sister, Ginny enlists the Girl Scout troop she leads to help watch for suspicious activity along the coast.    Timothy Elliott is no stranger to death. As a British reporter working with the M-6, he’s numb to the losses of war after two years of fighting the Germans. Maybe that’s why he volunteered for this mission—to connect with an ex-German naval officer who stole the Furor’s battle plan for the Atlantic war. When the boat giving him passage to New York is bombed near the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, Tim is thrown from the boat and wakes up in the care of a group of young girls.   Ginny follows her sneaky sister on a clandestine mission and discovers the shipwreck victim. Ginny knows she must take charge, but is this man the enemy, or does he hold secrets that could turn the tide of the Battle of the Atlantic in the allies’ favor?   ​Don’t miss these other stories:The Cryptographer’s Dilemma by Johnnie AlexanderPicture of Hope by Liz TolsmaSaving Mrs. Roosevelt by Candice Sue PattersonMrs. Witherspoon Goes to War by Mary DavisA Rose for the Resistance by Angela K. CouchThe Season of My Enemy by Naomi MuschEscape from Amsterdam by Lauralee Bliss

4 Women Bring Southern Charm to a Cowboy Town  Crinoline Creek, Texas, 1868  A Cowboy of Her Own by Patty Smith Hall Bookish southern belle Madalyn Turner knows what she wants—to be a cowboy and own a Texas ranch. But books are far different from real life and soon she realizes she needs help.  Josephine’s Dream by Cynthia Hickey An inexperience Southern belle and a ranching widower must overcome their two very different lifestyles and find a way to work together.  Neither of them expected to fall in love. When danger strikes, will they find out that love is worth the price?  Love’s Cookin’ at the Cowboy Café by Marilyn Turk A refined but feisty southern belle inherits a saloon she plans to convert into a genteel café. Even though her lack of cooking skills threatens disaster, she rejects the town banker’s advice. What will happen when the two lock horns and an unlikely romance simmers on the back burner?  Bea Mine by Kathleen Y’Barbo Preferring his horse and hound dog to human company, the sheriff’s soldier brother is not happy when he’s left in charge of the jail and the talkative woman awaiting trial. Has the Lord moved to change his mind about the course of his life, or will the little lady win his heart and her freedom?  

4 Stories of Love Spun at Historic Carousels Experience the early history of four iconic carousels that draw together four couples in whirling romances full of music and charm. Sophia's Hope by Cynthia Hickey 1889 - Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard Sophia Blackwell is living the life of the wealthy, but on the outskirts of total acceptance. Drake Moreland believes her above his station. A misunderstanding between them threatens to shatter their dreams before they've begun. The Art of Romance by Patty Smith Hall 1895 - Crescent Park Amusement Park, Riverside, Rhode Island An interview with the artist painting the Crescent Park Carousel is what reporter Thomas West needs. Instead he finds Wells's daughter, Jane, who is hiding secrets he's desperate to uncover. Jane must do everything she can to save her ill father's reputation . . .and her heart. Carousel of Love by Teresa Ives Lilly 1910 - Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania For Tamara Brand, spending the summer at Expedition Park impersonating her wealthy debutante employee seemed like a dream come true until she meets Blake Conner; just a Carnie who runs the carousel. He seems to be the type of man, she would like to get to know better if she werent pretending to be someone she isnt. But, is Blake who he appears to be? The Carousel Wedding by Susanne Dietze 1922 - Balboa Park, San Diego, California For June Lowell, a secretary at the Natural History Museum, being with scientist Martin Howard is as thrilling as a ride on the carousel by the museum, but a relationship is forbidden by management.

Join the journey as nine couples employ daring resourcefulness that leads them along the Underground Railroad in search of freedom and justice for all.