Sarah My Beloved (Little Hickman Creek Series #2) [Paperback]

MACLAREN SHARLENE (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2, 2007

Sarah Woodward has come to Kentucky as a mail-order bride. But when she steps off the stage coach, the man who contacted her through the Marriage Made in Heaven Agency informs her that he has fallen in love with and wed another woman. Sarah is disappointed, but she feels that God led her to Little Hickman Creek for a reason. With her usual stubborn determination, she refuses to leave until she finds out what that reason is. Rocky Callahan's sister has died, leaving him with two young children to take care of. When he meets 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 in his past and trust God's plan for his life? Will she leave him or will they actually find a marriage made
in heaven?

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Born and raised in west Michigan, Sharlene MacLaren attended Spring Arbor University.
Upon graduating with an education degree, she married one of her childhood friends.
Together they raised two lovely daughters. Now happily retired after teaching elementary
school for thirty-five years, Shar enjoys reading, writing, singing in the church choir
and worship teams, traveling, and spending time with her husband, children, and
precious grandchildren.
Shar is a regular speaker for her local MOPS organization, is involved in KIDS HOPE
USA, a mentoring program for at-risk children, counsels young women in the Apples of
Gold program, and is active in two weekly Bible studies. She and her husband, Cecil, live
in Spring Lake, Michigan, with their loveable collie, Dakota, and their lazy, fat cat, Mocha.

Product Details

• Paperback: 365 pages
• Publisher: Whitaker House; 1ST edition (October 2, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 088368425X
• ISBN-13: 978-0883684252
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #395,479 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

After 31 years of teaching second and fourth grades, Shar decided to say, "Bye-bye, Students!" and "Hello, Writing World!" and it's been an interesting, exciting, challenging, and inspiring adventure. One thing she knows for certain--God dropped a seed of passion for writing in her heart back in the summer of 2000, and He's been growing it ever since. (Who else in her right mind would jump out of bed in the middle of the night just to run to the computer and finish a scene that all of a sudden comes together in her head?)

Shar started her publishing career with Whitaker House in December of 2006 when she launched the release of "Through Every Storm", a general fiction title that finaled in the American Christian Fiction Writers Book-of-the-Year in 2007. On the wings of that, came her first three-book historical set called "The Little Hickman Creek Series" with an 1895-96 Kentucky setting. As a result of that series, Shar won the "Road to Romance" Reviewers' Choice Award in 2007 and 2008. and also picked up a third place award in the "Inspirational Readers' Choice Contest" in both 2008 and 2009.

In the fall of 2008, Whitaker House released a stand-alone contemporary titled "Long Journey Home", and in January of '09 launched her 3-book historical series, "The Daughters of Jacob Kane". Especially exciting to Shar about this series is its 1904-1908 West Michigan setting. Watch for titles: "Hannah Grace", "Maggie Rose", and "Abbie Ann", all available at Amazon.com or in most Christian bookstores near you! In the years 2008, 2009, and 2010 Shar was awarded second and third place standings in the "Inspirational Reader's Choice Contest".

Also made available in 2009 are the SPANISH Editions of "Long Journey Home" ("Un Largo Camino a Casa") and "Through Every Storm" ("En Medio De La Tormenta"). Please check these out through Amazon. You'll discover them when you locate all Shar's other titles. Beginning in September 2010, "Tender Vow" hit shelves, and in 2011, the three-book series, River of Hope, launched with its first title, "Livvie's Song".

Shar has had numerous speaking engagements, countrywide book-signings, television and radio appearances, and countless interviews. She has been married to the love of her life since December 1975 and together they enjoy their two daughters, sons-in-law, and beautiful grandchildren.

Besides her involvement at Spring Lake Wesleyan Church, Shar has been a speaker for the local MOPS organization, has enjoyed involvement in KIDS' HOPE, USA, a mentoring program for at-risk children, counsels young women in the APPLES OF GOLD program, and attends two bi-weekly Bible studies.

She and her darling husband, Cecil, live in Spring Lake, Michigan with Peyton, their lovable, sometimes naughty, collie, and Mocha, their lazy cat.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Love this book and this series!, October 24, 2007

By 

Katybug (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sarah My Beloved (Little Hickman Creek Series #2) (Paperback)

If you are a romance fan and have never read Sharlene MacLaren's books, you are missing out. She is one author that can always be counted on for a great story, great romance and a happy ending. "Sarah, My Beloved" is just one of those great stories.

In book #2 from her Little Hickman Creek series, MacLaren continues her story of the residents of Little Hickman, Kentucky, this time with her focus on Rocky Callahan and the town's newest resident, Sarah Woodward. Sarah has traveled all the way from Boston as a mail order bride to marry Ben Broughton, but discovers upon her arrival that he has fallen in love with the new school teacher. Even though she is certain God has lead her to Hickman, Sarah is now at a loss as to what His plans are for her. Enter Rocky Callahan (a friend of Ben's introduced in book #1) with his two charges in tow. His niece and nephew are now his responsibility after the death of Rocky's sister, and Rocky has his hands full taking care of them and running his farm while dealing with his own bitterness and grief from losing his wife and son. Even though they don't care much for each other, Rocky offers Sarah a marriage of convenience: he provides her with food, shelter and the protection of his name, and she gives him help with the children, prepares meals and other household chores. A bit hesitant at first, Sarah accepts, if for no other reason than to avoid having to marry a childhood friend that doesn't seem to understand she has no feelings for him. As time passes, the two grow fond of each other but always seem to get interrupted as the romance starts to light up. Rocky finally gets his big chance to tell his wife he loves her, in spite of all the interruptions.

I have read three of MacLaren's books and enjoyed each one. Her characters are always very real and deep. "Sarah, My Beloved" is another great story that has it all: good storyline, likeable and believable characters, and plenty of good romance. All of the main characters have lost someone to death but are dealing with their grief in different ways. Rocky's bitterness toward God is understandable, and readers will hurt for him as he struggles with the deaths of his family. Sarah misses her recently-deceased mother terribly, but she also has the assurance of seeing her again in heaven one day and is at peace with God about His plans for her in Kentucky. Rocky's niece and nephew have lost both parents and their grief is still very fresh. Together the four of them learn to cope with their losses and bond as a family. I love the marriage of convenience storyline, and MacLaren's take on the theme is excellent. The romantic tension between Rocky and Sarah is delightful, and readers will keep their fingers crossed hoping things turn out well for them. All of MacLaren's books are wonderful, and the quality of her stories improves from one book to the next. I am anxiously looking forward to her next book, "Courting Emma", which will be released in the spring of 2008 and concludes her Little Hickman Creek series. Till then, be sure to add "Loving Liza Jane" and "Sarah, My Beloved" to your collection!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sarah My Beloved, March 12, 2009

By 

S. Joyce "Joy" (PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sarah My Beloved (Little Hickman Creek Series #2) (Paperback)

I've just finished reading this and had to write a review. I read Loving Liza Jane first and really got pulled in. There's something about Sharlene MacLaren's writing style that I especially enjoyed. But, this book was even better! I loved the way the story unfolded and the ending was just perfect, sweet and touching. Her male characters are delicious. Sorry, there's no other way to describe them. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of MacLaren's books. She's now on my must read list.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, December 8, 2008

By 

Kadeen - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sarah My Beloved (Little Hickman Creek Series #2) (Paperback)

I have read all 3 of the Little Hickman creek series. I loved everyone of them. I really enjoy reading about what it was like in the 1800's and early 1900's. It gives me a sense of what my ancestors lived through. You can not go wrong with this book.