HHH March Book Day!

BOOKS YOU'LL WANT TO ADD TO YOUR TBR LIST

 

 

A SLIGHT CHANGE OF PLANS

by Denise M. Colby

A schoolmarm without a school. A blacksmith hiding in shadows. Can faith forge a new path?

Jenny Millard’s hopes for security as a schoolmarm are dashed when her schoolhouse closes. Newcomer Ren Lyman prefers to keep to himself, hiding in the back of the blacksmith shop to avoid stares at the scars left by a childhood accident. Their chance encounter builds a connection that breaks down walls erected by years of hurt. But when strange occurrences unsettle the townspeople, their chance at happiness might be at risk. 

CACTUS LIL AND THE CITY SLICKER

by Donna Schlachter 

A rough-and-tumble cowgirl, “Cactus” Lil Duncan longs for true love, but is afraid to let down her prickly exterior when a city slicker from New York City, with less-than-honorable intentions, tries to win her trust and her hand.

 

 

EVEN IF I PERISH  

by Terrie Todd

Based on a miraculous true story of courage in the face of impossible odds.

“If I perish, I perish.” A sermon based on Queen Esther’s famous words spurs music teacher Mary Cornish to action. She volunteers to escort a group of 15 girls from England to Canada as part of Britain’s World War II child evacuation program. All is well aboard the SS City of Benares until September 17, 1940. With a storm brewing in the North Atlantic, a German U-boat releases its torpedo and breaches the ship’s hull. Do the Nazis know ninety children are on board?

 

 

 HEARTS DESIRE

by Linda Hoover 

 

In 1880 Boston, upper-class, Julia Phillips’s father betroths her to wealthy Lucien Harris to cover up a tragic secret. She has no interest in Lucien, but Jacob Anderson, a kind jewelry store clerk has captured her attention. Their mutual attraction grows into love, and he wants to be the man she marries.

Julia feels increasing pressure from Lucien to pretend she’s happy about the upcoming wedding. Then, she discovers the arranged marriage is based on blackmail. Her family will be ruined if she doesn’t comply. 

Will God make a way for Jacob and Julia to have their heart’s desire?

LISSA AND THE SPY

by Camille Elliot

In Regency-era London, Miss Lissa Gardinier enters her second Season seeking a marriage in order to escape her mother's constant criticism. So she represses her cheeky remarks behind a quiet, innocent facade. The enigmatic Lord Jeremy Stoude is dismayed when a chance encounter with Miss Gardinier entangles her in his world of secrets and subterfuge. He cannot afford to be distracted by Lissa’s charming smile and unflappable demeanor. As danger stalks them and true feelings come to light, can Lissa and Jeremy navigate the labyrinth of society’s expectations and their own insecurities to find love? 

MAGIC OF THE SWAN

by Tiffany Amber Stockton 

Elenora Caldwell and Trevor Davenport had been thrown together since they were children. When Elenora’s father dismisses a man from his employ, the man threatens to seek revenge. Charmed and fascinated by a new magician in the city who studied under the Great Houdini, Elenora ends up a pawn in a vile scheme by the magician to take control of Caldwell Enterprises. In order to save Elenora, Trevor must first defeat Cravatta. How can he match wits with a master illusionist? And could his reunion with Elenora be the key to a brand new life?

 



MRS. WITHERSPOON GOES TO WAR

(Heroines of WWII series)

2023 SELAH Award 3rd Place Winner!

By Mary Davis

A WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots) embarks on an unsanctioned mission to rescue three US soldiers held captive in Cuba.

Margaret “Peggy” Witherspoon is a thirty-four-year-old widow, mother of two, flying for the WASP. When her new supervisor, Army Air Corp Major Howie Berg, gives her an order she can’t follow, sparks fly. In the course of her duties, Peggy learns of US soldiers being held captive in Cuba. She undertakes a daring rescue mission. She will need all her WASP skills to succeed and come out of this alive while trying not to ignite an international incident

 

 

RISKY BUSINESS

 by Kimberly Keagan

An American heiress. A British barrister with a need for speed. The London social season that changes everything.

The last thing department store heiress Lena Dennison wants is to travel to London to meet the grandmother who snubbed her family for thirty years. But her youngest sister begs to go, and soon Lena is navigating British nobility’s social expectations—with Bron Jeffers, a handsome barrister and celebrated motorcar racer, assigned as her escort. When a string of mysterious incidents threatens Bron’s family, Lena is pulled into his world as his unlikely ally … and the one woman he can’t charm—or ignore.

  

 

SHETLAND SUNSET

by Linda Shenton Matchett

Bonded by a cause but an ocean apart, will their love survive a world war? After months in Norway helping his cousins with their fishing business, American Askel Westgard seems trapped when the Germans invade until he has a chance to get back at the Occupiers as part of the Shetlandsgjengen, or Shetland gang, a group of fishermen who transport weapons and equipment from Shetland to Norway under cover of darkness. Unfortunately, the beautiful Norwegian woman he’s just met refuses to join him in safety. Will he ever see her again?

 



THE MAIDEN AND THE MOUNTIE

By Denise Farnsworth

Gage Edmonds's assignment to the Georgia Mounted Militia puts him between gold-hungry settlers and Cherokees soon to be forced from their homes. The local miller's daughter, Anna Walker, makes him question everything. Daughter of a European mother and Cherokee father, Anna vowed never to fall for a white man. Yet when Sergeant Edwards endangers himself to keep the peace, her father seeks to secure her future in Gage’s hands.

On the eve of eviction, members of a local village hide their gold, trusting Anna with its safekeeping. When dangerous men discover the secret, can Anna trust Gage with the truth—and her heart? Pre-Order Now:

 

 TITANIC: LEGACY OF BETRAYAL

 A Time-Slip Novel 

 By Kathleen E. Kovach, et al.

 

A secret. A key. Much was buried on the Titanic, but now it's time for
resurrection. Follow two intertwining stories a century apart. 1912 -
Matriarch Olive Stanford protects a secret after boarding the Titanic that
must go to her grave. 2012 - Portland real estate agent Ember Keaton-Jones
receives the key that will unlock the mystery of her past... and her
distrusting heart.

 

 

WALTZ WITH DESTINY

by Catherine Ulrich Brakefield

Waltz into the Big Band Era and the splendors of Detroit's ballrooms with Esther (McConnell) Meir as a story-book romance swirls into a rendezvous with destiny.

"…Waltz with Destiny is the crown jewel of the Destiny Series!... You won't want to put this one down!" Kathy R.

The message of the Destiny series is even more applicable to today than when it first released. Praying for America’s repentance and to embrace God like never before." Debra B.

 

Matchmaker, Make Me a Match

I read The Irish Matchmaker by Jennifer Deible not long ago, and it made me curious about matchmakers in history.                                                                                                                                                                                                              

One definition I found: Matchmaking is the process of pairing two people together, usually for the purpose of marriage, in which case the intermediary or matchmaker is also known as a marriage broker. Matchmaking may be done as a profession for a fee or it may be done by clergy.

This also makes me think of the Jewish matchmaker, or shadchan, who was responsible for finding suitable matches for young men and women and also acted as mediator in the negotiation of the marriage contract.

One article I read said God was the FIRST matchmaker. I can't argue with that. A lot of matchmaking has gone on throughout history. Monarchs made decisions for their subjects based on what was best for their kingdom. Queen Elizabeth I was noted for that. 

                                                                 Queen Elizabeth I

Parents looked for connections that would raise their social, political and

economic status as well as increase land holdings. This was true all around the world. Here are a few example from the the ancient world.      

           

                                                           Watercolor Painting of Chinese Wedding Ceremony

In ancient China, arranged marriages were deeply traditional. The matchmaker, usually a woman, was considered sacred. Her success was tied to the reputation and prosperity of the families she served. Her job was to bring good fortune by aligning families based on social status, compatibility and astrology. The Hindu culture also employed the use of astrology.

Roman Wedding

In ancient Rome, marriages were arranged to form alliances between powerful families giving them both political and economic advantages. These matchmakers understood the importance of lineage, wealth and influence. Their job was to secure a union that benefited not only individuals, but whole bloodlines.

                                                                   Greece Wedding

 Ancient Greece also used matchmakers, always women, who were essentially go-betweens. When parents hired a matchmaker, she approached the family of interest, then carried messages back and forth as well as sharing her opinion on the worth of the prospective mates. It could be a risky position if things didn’t go well.

                                                             Aztec Wedding Ceremony

The Aztecs also had matchmakers. One article described her as being involved from start to wedding night. After making the match she preformed the ceremony which included tying an article of the man's and woman's clothing together. At the end of the day she put them to bed.

                                                                 

                                                                Late 19th Century Couple

The book that started me on this search for information is set in a village in 1900, Ireland. There were a lot of reasons why a man or woman would hire a matchmaker. A farmer might want a wife to help him on his farm. A man might need a mother for his children. A woman might be in need of a husband for the first time or need someone to provide for her and her children. A man or woman might hire a matchmaker because they needed to broaden the number of people they had to choose from. 

A matchmaker would organize dances, picnics and walks to provide a place for people to meet. That would be especially important for young people living isolated on a farm with no way to meet anyone other than sitting in church for an hour or two once a week. As in the past, the matchmaker was mediator and negotiator until everyone was happy.


If you're interested, you can still find a matchmake many places in the world including the United States. For a large sum of money they will find you the perfect mate.

In my book, Heart’s Desire, Julia’s father betroths her to a man to cover a secret. Arranged marriages weren't typical in 1880 Boston. She is left to figure out a way to marry a man she loves rather than the one her father has chosen.

About Linda Hoover

 

Linda, a retired librarian, lives in west central Ohio with her husband and grandson. An avid reader and writer since childhood, she began her publishing career writing columns and a middle-grade serial for the South Charleston Spectator. Her desire is to entertain, but more importantly, to encourage readers with God’s faithfulness.

You’re invited to visit her website. Browse the pages to learn more about her and her books. Stay in touch when you sign up for her newsletter and you’ll receive a free novella as a thank you.

https://lindahooverbooks.com

                                                                                                                    

Famous Horses in History…Copenhagen with Giveaway by Donna Schlachter

By John Steell. From Wikipedia.

Copenhagen was the Duke of Wellington’s war horse, which he rode at the Battle of Waterloo for 17 hours straight. Bred by General Grosvenor, his sire, Meteor, placed second in the 1786 Epsom Derby, then went on to win his next 21 races. He retired to stud at the ripe old age of eight, and Copenhagen was born 17 years later in 1808. His dam, Lady Catherine, had mixed parentage, and in Copenhagen’s honor, is the only “half-bred” mare listed in the General Stud Book.

Depending on the source, the details of Copenhagen’s birth differ. General Grosvenor allegedly took Lady Catherine, in foal with Copenhagen, to Denmark as his mount during the siege of that city. Copenhagen was either foaled after the second battle and named in honor of the British victory, or, if you listen to other sources, Lady Catherine was returned to England before his birth where he was foaled at Eton Hall in 1808. The General Stud Book does not record that he was born overseas.

Regardless of his murky beginnings, there is no doubt that a magnificent horse was born.

By Matthew Cotes Wyatt. From Wikipedia.

 

 

 

He was tall, standing at about 15 hands high (60 inches at the top of his shoulders), Paintings and reports of the day say he was muscular with a compact frame. Never raced as a two-year-old, he raced until he was four years old for General Grosvenor, retiring in May 1812. Modestly successful, he won two races during his short career.

In his three-year-old season, 1811, he came in third. A few days later, he won a match race and was then beaten by the filly in another match race. A match race pits two horses against each other, with winner taking the entire pot. This type of race is often used to settle which horse is best. Over the next few months of racing, he won several match races, lost some, took third in a Gold Cup Race, third in a County Purse race, and second or third in other miscellaneous appearances.

In 1812, as a four-year-old, Copenhagen started three times, finishing third in two and fourth in one. Not seeing much opportunity to take the big cups, General Grosvenor retired him in May.

General Grosvenor sold him as a saddle horse to Charles Stewart, and Copenhagen was sent to Lisbon in 1813 with a stable of other horses. When Stewart left Spain, Colonel Charles Wood purchased him for the Duke of Wellington for 200 or 250 guineas (about $1,000 USD in 1820, which would be worth around $25,000 USD today). 

 

By Thomas Lawrence. From Wikipedia

 

 

When the Duke of Wellington purchased him in 1813 as a five-year-old, his papers described him as “a dark chestnut with two white heels…hollow-backed, powerful…with bad shoulders.” He loved his corn, but preferred eating while lying down. The Duke said, “There may have been many faster horses, no doubt many handsomer, but for bottom (stamina) and endurance, I never saw his fellow (equal).” His Arabian blood was often cited as the reason for these enduring qualities.

The Duke of Wellington and Copenhagen. From The War Horse Memorial

 

The Duke of Wellington rode Copenhagen into several battles and on a number of treacherous journeys, including his ride to Wavre. But perhaps he is most famous for riding him for 17 hours continuously during the Battle of Waterloo. Both emerged from the fray uninjured. Legend says that when the Duke dismounted, he patted his horse on the flank. Copenhagen kicked at the Duke’s head, which the Duke avoided. Copenhagen loved the chaos of battle, but when not on duty, he was cantankerous, giving many grooms and exercise boys nightmares. 

The Duke of Wellington, from The War Horse Memorial

 

 

While his war days were now over, the Duke continued to ride Copenhagen in parades and other events. Hair from his mane and tail was collected and braided into bracelets. When the Duke of Wellington became Prime Minister in 1828, he rode Copenhagen up Downing Street to Number 10 to take up his new residency.

Copenhagen in retirement, by Samuel Spode

 

 

Following his formal retirement, Copenhagen enjoyed when visitors noticed him, and particularly when they offered his apples and sweets such as sponge cakes, Bath buns (a bready bun with raisins and frosting), and chocolate creams. All of these sweets must have mellowed him, because friends and children rode him regularly. He died on February 12, 1836, at the age of 28. He was buried the next day with full military honors, and the Duke flew into a rage when he noticed one of the hoofs was missing, apparently taken as a souvenir. As with most details surrounding this horse, several stories emerged, including that a farmer bought the hoof and returned it to the Duke. Another version said that a servant confessed many years later to taking the hoof, not expecting that the Duke cared one way or the other. However, the Duke exhumed the body a few months after burial to remove the remaining three hooves to keep as souvenirs and to prevent grave-diggers from profiting from his loss; however, “his three remaining hoofs had rotted away.”

Copenhagen's headstone. From Wikipedia.

 

Copenhagen was buried without a headstone to keep grave-diggers and souvenir hunters at bay. A request from the United Services Museum to display his skeleton alongside that of Napolean’s horse Marengo was denied. Seven years after Copenhagen’s death, the Duke’s housekeeper planted a Turkey Oak that today shades the grave in recognition of her 20th year of service to the Duke.

After the Duke’s death, his son created an epitaph and placed a grave marker beside the tree.


Giveaway: Leave a comment to enter a drawing for an ebook copy of Hollenberg Hearts.

About Hollenberg Hearts: A mail order bride. A crippled stationmaster. No way out for either of them—except with each other. Can they surrender their hearts and find true love? Check it out: https://www.amazon.com/Hollenberg-Hearts-Pony-Express-Book-ebook/dp/B098VZ38XY and the rest of the Series: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B098WRMTM3

About Donna:
A hybrid author, Donna writes squeaky clean historical and contemporary suspense. She has been published more than 60 times in books; is a member of several writers' groups; facilitates a critique group; teaches writing classes; and judges in writing contests. She loves history and research, traveling extensively for both, and is an avid oil painter. She is taking all the information she’s learned along the way about the writing and publishing process, and is coaching committed writers eager to tell their story.


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Resources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copenhagen_(horse)

https://www.artbycrane.com/horse_history_articles_tales/copenhagen_duke_of_wellington.html

https://www.thewarhorsememorial.org/100-hero-horses/100-hero-horses/hero-horse13

https://collection.nam.ac.uk/detail.php?acc=2000-05-38-1

The Bicycle and the New Woman

by Kimberly Keagan

When you think of a bicycle, you probably picture a leisurely ride through the park or a way to get exercise. (Or something you have to watch out for when you're driving!) But in the 1890s, bicycles were so much more than that. They weren’t just a mode of transportation—they were a cultural revolution on two wheels!

Bicycle Outfits, The Delineator, April 1894

Although the bicycle first appeared around 1818, the vehicle as we know it today with equal sized wheels and a chain drive, was invented in 1885. By the 1890s, bicycling was a craze in both Europe and the United States. Not only was the bicycle a form of exercise and leisure, it was a mode of transportation for many. More importantly, it played a crucial role in women's independence.

During the 1890s, a social phenomenon known as the "New Woman" emerged. Women were advocating for more rights, better education, and increased independence. One of the biggest symbols of this newfound freedom? The bicycle. Bicycles allowed women to move about without needing a chaperone or relying on a carriage. They could travel to work, school, or social gatherings on their own terms. This newfound mobility wasn’t just about convenience—it was about autonomy. Women were no longer bound by rigid social expectations that kept them dependent on others for transportation.

From the author's collection

The bicycle also changed fashion. Traditional women’s clothing—heavy skirts, corsets, and layers of petticoats—was impractical for riding. Enter the bicycle suit, a more practical outfit that included shorter skirts or bloomers, allowing for easier movement. While bloomers were controversial, they symbolized a shift toward practicality over strict social norms.

Photo courtesy of warwick.ac.uk.com

Of course, not everyone was thrilled about these changes. Many critics claimed that cycling was unladylike, dangerous, or even immoral. Some doctors warned that too much bicycling could cause “bicycle face,” a supposed condition where a woman’s features would become permanently strained from the exertion. (Thankfully, history has since debunked that one!)

Despite the naysayers, women kept riding. The bicycle wasn’t just a trend—it was a tool of progress. It gave women a taste of freedom, adventure, and control over their own lives. As Susan B. Anthony noted in 1896, "I think [the bicycle] has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world. It gives a woman a feeling of freedom and self-reliance. The moment she takes her seat she knows she can't get into harm unless she gets off her bicycle, and away she goes, the picture of free, untrammeled womanhood."

Kimberly Keagan is a former investor relations consultant and corporate financial writer (not very romantic) who now crafts historical romances filled with strong heroines, swoon-worthy heroes, faith, and a touch of humor. Her latest novel, Risky Business, released in February of 2026 and is the third book in her Hearts on Display series. When not reading or writing, Kimberly enjoys baking, gardening, watching sports, and researching her family tree. Sign up for Kimberly's newsletter and receive a free Gilded Age Romance at www.kimberlykeagan.com.

Rub a Dub Dub, President in a Tub by Cindy Regnier

 William Howard Taft served as president of the United States from 1909-1913. He did many noteworthy things in his presidency including “trust-busting,” initiating some 80 antitrust suits against large industrial combinations, empowering the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) to set railroad rates, and supporting constitutional amendments mandating a federal income tax (now you know who to blame for April 15th woes) and the direct election of senators by the people (as opposed to appointment by state legislatures). After his presidency he was appointed as chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court from 1921 to 1930 becoming the only man in history to hold the highest post in both the executive and judicial branches of the U.S. government. And as a note for sports fans, Taft was the first president to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at a Major League Baseball game.

Despite all that, Taft is remembered not for his contributions to history but for his, um, ‘corpulence.’ Simply put, he was quite overweight. He is said to have weighed about 350 pounds during his presidency. And that problem he fought all of his life became the basis of a widespread rumor that holds no truth, but is still told as if it really happened.

So, here’s the rumor. While bathing in the White House one evening, Mr. Taft got stuck and was unable to remove himself from the tub. As the story goes, it took 4 men to pry him loose and get him out, that and a gallon of butter used as a lubricant. Yes, it’s a funny story, but it didn’t happen. If you’ve ever heard this rumor told about Mr. Taft, make a note to yourself: Not True!

And, the rest of the story, the true part? It may be even better than the rumor. Just weeks after his election, the captain of a warship requested an oversized tub for the ship that was to carry the president-elect on a mission to inspect the Panama Canal. Unfortunately, such a tub could not be found so one was custom made. It is said to have been over seven feet long, more than 41 inches wide and weighed nearly a ton. A photograph in the February 1909 showed the huge presidential bathtub with four men sitting comfortably inside.

Newspapers even reported on this fascinating subject. It seems that similarly huge tubs were ordered and installed in the White House, on the presidential yacht and inside Taft’s brother’s home in Texas. How embarrassing would it be to have your bathing habits printed in the newspaper? But it got even worse.

 After Taft left the White House at the end of his presidency, he stayed in a hotel in Cape May, New Jersey. Without access to his specially made tubs, he squeezed into the hotel tub, thereby displacing so much of the water filling it that it spilled over and flooded the floor. The flood leaked through and rained down on the guests in the downstairs dining room. The newspapers reported that as Taft gazed at the Atlantic Ocean the next day, he wistfully commented, “I’ll get a piece of that fenced in some day, and then when I venture in, there won’t be any overflow.”

Now you know the real story, and as a writer I can tell you that truth is often stranger (and funnier) than fiction. What do you think? Was Taft the victim of a make-believe scandal told to damage his political career or prestige as a Supreme Court justice? Or did he just prefer the “stuck” story to that of the very embarrassing public shower he provided to hotel guests?

Scribbling in notebooks has been a habit of Cindy Regnier since she was old enough to hold a pencil. Born and raised in Kansas, she writes stories of historical Kansas, especially the Flint Hills area where she spent much of her childhood. Her experiences with the Flint Hills setting, her natural love for history, farming and animals, along with her interest in genealogical research give her the background and passion to write heart-fluttering historical romance..