Abbie Ann... a Spring 2010 release from Whitaker House, completes the Daughters of Jacob Kane trilogy. This youngest sister is now running Whatnot, the family’s general store in Sandy Shores, Michigan. A social activist, Abbie Ann stays busy assisting the elderly, and working with fervor for the cause of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. She has little time -- or tolerance -- for frivolity, so she keeps her distance from the recently divorced Noah Carson who comes to town with a young son in tow to pursue a shipbuilding business. But God has other plans in mind.
Maggie Rose... is the spunky, friendly, twenty-year-old middle daughter of Jacob Kane who feels compelled to leave Sandy Shores and pursue God's plans for her in New York City. The year is 1904 and Maggie Rose adjusts to her new life at Sheltering Arms Refuge, an orphanage that also transports homeless children to towns across the United States to match them with compatible families. When a newspaper reporter comes to the orphanage gathering information for a story, Maggie is attracted to him, despite his lack of faith. Will she win the struggle to maintain her focus on God and remain attuned to His guidance?
Hannah Grace... is the first of a trilogy, The Daughters of Jacob Kane, that takes place in turn-of-the 20th century western Michigan. MacLaren skillfully weaves historic details and events into the plot of all three books. Hannah Grace, the feisty and strong-willed eldest daughter works at the family general store and is being courted by the town’s physician. Her life seems on course when a handsome new sheriff arrives in town, along with a shy boy who has been delivered to Sandy Shores, Michigan on one of the era’s “Orphan Trains.”
Long Journey Home... After divorcing her abusive husband, single mother Callie May is still nursing his scars of a painful past. Living across the hall is Dan Mattson, a former church pastor, who left his flock in Michigan and fled to the Chicago suburbs after the death of his wife and baby daughter in an automobile accident. Embittered by his loss, Dan turns his back on God. When Callie’s ex-husband shows up to wreak more havoc in her life, Dan finds himself coming to her defense—facing his own demons in the process.
Courting Emma... Twenty-eight-year old Emma Browning has experienced a good deal of life in her young age.Sole owner and operator of Emma’s Boardinghouse, she is “mother” to an array of beefy, unkempt, often rowdy characters. Though many men would like to get to know the steely, hard-edged, yet surprisingly lovely, proprietress, none has ever succeeded. That is, not until the town’s new pastor, Jonathan Atkins, takes up residence in the boardinghouse, affecting not only her with his devout faith and strong convictions, but her clientele as well. Emma clings desperately to her stubborn ways, refusing to acknowledge God’s love—until all of Little Hickman witnesses a miracle—the conversion of her abusive and alcoholic father, Ezra Browning!Only then will Emma begin to experience God’s transforming power at work.
Sarah, My Beloved... Sarah Woodward has come to Kentucky as a mail-order bride, contracting with the services of the Marriage-Made-In-Heaven Agency.However, when she steps off the stagecoach to meet her betrothed, he kindly informs her he has fallen in love with another woman. Sarah is disappointed, yes, but she feels strongly God has led her to this rickety place for a reason. If not to marry Benjamin Broughton, then to fulfill some other duty and, thus, she will stay firmly planted in Little Hickman until she discovers that plan. Rocky Callahan’s sister has died, leaving him to care for her two young children.When he meets up with the fiery Sarah Woodward, he proposes the answer to both their problems—a marriage in name only. Sarah soon comes to love the children, but Rocky is afraid that she’ll never survive as a farmer’s wife with her privileged upbringing.Can he let go of the pain of his past and trust God’s plan for his life?Will she leave him or will they actually find a marriage made in heaven?
Loving Liza Jane... 21-year-old Eliza Jane Meriwether moves from Boston to Little Hickman, Kentucky in the year 1895. Naïve, but full of confidence and zeal, Eliza will assume the job as Little Hickman’s schoolteacher. But when she first rides into town on a ramshackle buckboard, her initial thought is, “Oh, Lord, what have I done?” Kentucky is nothing like her native Boston.Will she ever grow accustomed to its rolling hills and wide open spaces, not to mention the lack of modern conveniences?Although filled with doubts, she is convinced God has led her to this point, and soon the new schoolteacher is beloved by all, including Benjamin Broughton, a handsome widower with two young children. Trouble is her contract implicitly states, “marriage or any other unseemly behavior by women teachers is improper and will thereby result in immediate dismissal”.Liza has a lot to learn about God’s perfect plan for her life.
Through Every Storm... When husband and wife Jeff and Maddie Bowman unexpectedly lose their daughter, their relationship slowly begins to deteriorate until divorce appears to be the only option. They must deal with the hurt of losing a child, while risking the chance of losing each other. For readers who have dealt with unbearable loss, Through Every Storm reveals how God’s mercy never fails. He is present even in our darkest moments and only He can redeem lost love. There is always hope in a seemingly hopeless situation.
Copyright 2006, Sharlene MacLaren. All rights reserved.
