HEARTS DIVIDED is a compilation of three novellas with several common themes-- most prominently many aspects of military service. The stories evolve around the three central characters Winifred Abbott and her granddaughter Chloe, Helen Shelton and her granddaughter Ruth, and Clara MacKenzie and her granddaughter Elizabeth. The grandmothers enjoy a relationship that has survived decades and has now evolved into the time honored role of sharing stories about their favorite relatives which in these cases just happen to be the aforementioned granddaughters. Each story is enriched with details of heroic and at time catastrophic war time events. Ruth's story is about choices that are sometimes impossible to make and her relationship with Paul Gordon will make her examine her feelings about military men and military life. Her grandmothers account of her life makes her reevaluate her own beliefs. The attraction between Chloe and Jake Morrissey is instant but although Jake is now a private citizen someone from his military past is out for revenge putting more then just their relationship in jeopardy. Nicholas Lawton is Elizabeth's hero -- well at least in the eyes of her grandmother Clara. Whereas the other stories center on the granddaughters, the star of the third story is definitely Nick. Nick, a self-described handyman, whose goal to fix things was the deciding point in his becoming a soldier. He couldn't fix his family but he dreamed of belonging to one.

Three authors contributed to this wonderful book that will leave you wanting for more. It's amazing how much story can be packaged into such short installments but these stories will not disappoint the reader. This is a great book to curl up with on the couch in front of a fire and dream along with the characters. Fans of Macomber, Stone and Dyer will not be disappointed in their contribution to this lovely interwoven tale of three strong, gutsy women who not surprisingly are devoted to their equally wonderful granddaughters.

Book Summary

Grandmothers know best... especially these three grandmothers, all soldiers' brides. Their generation lived through war and peace, good times and bad, love and loss.

5-B Poppy Lane by Debbie Macomber
All her life, Ruth Shelton has loved visiting her grandmother in Cedar Cove, Washington. Now Ruth comes to ask advice about her own romance with a soldier -- and discovers a secret in her grandmother's past.

The Apple Orchard by Katherine Stone
Clara MacKenzie's granddaughter Elizabeth arrives at Clara's Oregon farm needing comfort. That's exactly what Clara offers -- and so does a childhood friend named Nick Lawton. But Nick wants to offer Elizabeth more than comfort. More than friendship...

Liberty Hall by Lois Faye Dyer
When Professor Chloe Abbott finds herself caught up in a troublesome mystery, she turns to her grandmother. She needs Winifred's expertise as a wartime code breaker. She doesn't need suggestions about her love life -- all of which involve ex-marine Jake Morrissey!