{"title":"Fiction","description":"\u003cp\u003eSpanning generations, the Gristmill Series weaves together the rich history of a founding Texas family with a present-day story of two determined sisters. Their journey reflects the same trials, resilience, and strength that defined their ancestors. This trilogy honors the Heart \u0026amp; Hope values of family, courage, friendship, and love.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eClick on the image to go to a full description and to purchase on Amazon.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"pink-bluebonnets","title":"Pink Bluebonnets","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"152\" data-start=\"132\"\u003ePink Bluebonnets (Book 1 in the Gristmill Series) is\u003c\/strong\u003e a sweeping family saga that traces two hundred years of one Texas family’s legacy—from the turbulent days before Texas independence to the modern era. Set against epic battles, cattle ranching, oil exploration, and political intrigue, the novel explores generations shaped by conflict, ambition, loyalty, and love, culminating in the lives of two strong-willed sisters facing challenges as great as those of their ancestors. Rich in historical detail and emotional depth, this captivating story blends history, resilience, and family bonds into an unforgettable journey through time. Available in paperback, eBook, or Kindle Unlimited.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Heart \u0026 Hope","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46621082747057,"sku":null,"price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0729\/0513\/0161\/files\/Bluebonnets800x1250onbackground.png?v=1770675493"},{"product_id":"secrets-of-the-carousel","title":"Secrets of the Carousel","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"132\" data-end=\"152\"\u003eSecrets of the Carousel (Book 2 of the Gristmill Series) \u003c\/strong\u003eis the exciting sequel to the captivating family saga that begins in Pink Bluebonnets. It takes us back to the peaceful and charming small town of Gristmill, Texas. This story continues to follow the journey of two determined sisters who stumble upon a long-hidden secret buried within their own barn. The revelation unravels a completely unexpected and shocking twist in their family’s history.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUsing amateur genealogy sleuthing, they track down their Texas ancestors and find murder, scandal, intrigue, and romance. Then DNA discoveries lead to more secrets closer to home, not so far back in history.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt turns out what they thought they knew about their ancestors was far from complete. The narrative effortlessly weaves together the ancient family secrets and Suzanna and Josef's enthralling tale, intertwining their lives like the tendrils of a vine around Texas history. They flee turbulent Prague in 1842 and embark on a journey to the unknown world of Texas.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBrace yourself for a mesmerizing journey as these two narratives seamlessly blend, unearthing ancient family secrets that have remained shrouded in secrecy for generations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvailable in paperback, eBook, and Kindle Unlimited on Amazon.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Heart \u0026 Hope","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46622643060913,"sku":null,"price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0729\/0513\/0161\/files\/Carousel800x1250onbackground.png?v=1770675617"},{"product_id":"found-a-long-journey-home","title":"Found, A Long Journey Home","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"132\" data-end=\"152\"\u003eFound, A Long Journey Home (Book 3 in the Gristmill Series) is\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003e the continuing saga of the story of the power of friendship. A newcomer arrives in Gristmill, Texas, but she is not new to Gristmill—she brings a challenge to the status quo, and she's searching for a past and a family she never knew.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKelly and Jessie and some more of their sassy senior friends are back, trying to solve the latest problem in Gristmill. The church transferred Reverend Brown, their beloved pastor, to another town, and they are replacing him with a new pastor, A WOMAN PASTOR! Some people in the town are just not ready for this change. But Rose, the new pastor, is not a stranger to Gristmill. She grew up at the orphanage, and there are secrets in her past!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAfter being abandoned by her family at a young age, Rose has always struggled with feeling unworthy of love and a lack of confidence. She held her feelings close while growing up and did whatever it took to survive. Despite her efforts to forgive her family for the years of loneliness, she can’t escape wondering if they ever thought about her or if they had just forgotten she existed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe dreams of being a minister, but the church's hierarchy has hindered her progress, causing her to work for years as a chaplain in a nursing home. Being married to the love of her life is not enough. She desperately wants to find her family. And she believes moving back to her hometown may be the answer.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKelly, Jessie, and their friends are attempting to assist Rose in finding her family through DNA. But the closer they get to finding her family, someone else is just as determined to prevent it. Why?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAre the threats on her life arising from people who don't want her as a woman pastor or from the secrets of her family's past?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvailable on Amazon in paperback, eBook, and Kindle Unlimited.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Heart \u0026 Hope","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46622691295409,"sku":null,"price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0729\/0513\/0161\/files\/Found800x1250onbackground.png?v=1770675415"},{"product_id":"a-killer-christmas-affair","title":"A Killer Christmas Affair","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"132\" data-end=\"152\"\u003eA Killer Christmas Affair—The\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003e Christmas party is in full swing as Darbie and Marisol show off their new business venture, Sunflower Hacienda, as a magnificent Mexican-style resort on Lake Travis, when suddenly, Santa is found dead. The sheriff announces it was an accident. Now it’s up to Darbie and Marisol, with the help of their loveable Saint Berdoodle, to find the killer before anyone else gets hurt and to save their business!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eWho would want Santa dead?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Murder of Santa at Darbie and Marisol’s Christmas Party is a cozy mystery book that will keep you guessing until the very end.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDarbie and Marisol have been planning their Christmas party for months. Over a year ago, they left their dead-end careers in Austin as a chef and magazine editor to remodel their granddaddy’s old hacienda into an event center. It is the perfect time to show off their new business venture, Sunflower Hacienda, as a magnificent Mexican-style resort on Lake Travis. The renovated old hacienda intrigues the curiosity of all the citizens in the little artisan village of Sunflower, Texas. So, everyone in town shows up for the party, making a large cast of suspects and plenty of motives.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe guests are enjoying a little eggnog and appetizers while the children decorate Christmas cookies. Groups are gathered around the grand piano singing Christmas carols. All is merry until someone finds Santa half-dressed, lying on the floor in a pool of blood. The guests are horrified. The sheriff announces it was an accident. He believes Santa was truly a jolly old elf loved by everyone. Between their ditzy hippie aunts and their uncle with his folksy bits of wisdom, Darbie and Marisol must overcome the objections of the sheriff to prove it was murder and not an accident. Now it’s up to Darbie and Marisol, with the help of their loveable Saint Berdoodle, to solve the mystery and find the killer before anyone else gets hurt and to save their business!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBONUS: Recipe Included!  Available on Amazon in paperback, eBook, and Kindle Unlimited.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Heart \u0026 Hope","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46622783799473,"sku":null,"price":7.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0729\/0513\/0161\/files\/KillerChristmas800x1250onbackground.png?v=1770675381"}],"url":"https:\/\/heartandhope.net\/collections\/fiction.oembed","provider":"Heart \u0026 Hope","version":"1.0","type":"link"}