Sara's Collection of Works. All Published. All available.

War. Devotion. Deceit. Death. How long can a heart hold on before it breaks?

 Charlotte Adamsland is separated from her husband, Sanderson Redding, the day after their marriage. A captain in the Confederate Army, Sanderson must return to his unit, leaving Charlotte alone on their Arkansas homestead to fend for herself. Yankees camp around the town of Altrose, bringing their own kind of lawless danger. And then, one dark day, a Southern soldier arrives with terrible news…Sanderson has been killed trying to escape a Yankee prison.

Sanderson has found salvation and hell in a single turn of events he could never have imagined—his much-younger brother, Jackson, is his Yankee guard. When Jackson’s cruel commanding officer learns of the brothers’ family ties, he devises a wicked plan to see them both dead. Jackson is determined to get his brother to safety—but a last-minute betrayal by another prisoner could be the death of both brothers.

Charlotte can’t accept the news of Sanderson’s death—he promised to come back to her. She heads north armed with only her faith in God and her beloved horse to bring her love home—one way or the other. Will she be able to rescue him? Or will her love remained locked forever in A HEART ON HOLD… 

The war is over, Sanderson is home, and life is good. Until the Army comes knocking. 

 Sanderson's old captors have charged him with the murder of Lieutenant Lantz, who died mysteriously on the streets of St. Louis when the South surrendered. With help from the most unlikely sort, can Sanderson convince the Yankee jury of his innocence?

Left alone when Sanderson is carted off for murder, newly pregnant Charlotte is despondent. However, when the stress of their predicament threatens the life of their unborn child, Charlotte is more grateful than ever to have Minerva as her sister-in-law, and roommate.

When the judge sentences Sanderson to a suicide mission in lieu of hanging by the neck until dead, Charlotte knows she can't go along on this adventure. Between a hard pregnancy and a rash of hydrophobia that threatens the entire Arkansas countryside, Charlotte wonders if Sanderson will have a home waiting for him, if he survives the mission, and if he wants to come home at all. However, a freakish dog bite in the midst of the outbreak may well be the end of them all. 

On the trail to Fort Bidwell, after leaving behind everything she knows, can Sanderson and Charlotte finally find their happily ever after? 

Sanderson Redding is set to go west to a waiting job as an Indian Agent—if Charlotte agrees. Leaving their home in Arkansas isn’t easy, but there’s not much left of Altrose—and no jobs for men with families. War veteran Jerry Thomas has secured positions for himself and Sanderson in California, but they must leave immediately. With a heavy heart, Charlotte bids goodbye to her father, Minerva, and Cotton. There’s no time to spare, and they set out early the following day for California.

Travel is hard on Charlotte, who is pregnant, but she finds a new measure of determination to face what comes their way—including a prairie fire, hostile Indians, and a hard childbirth she is afraid she might not survive.

But the demons of Sanderson’s military life refuse to be left behind, as he finds himself embroiled with the Earp brothers and a lady of the night who carries a grudge against Charlotte. Will Charlotte and Sanderson’s marriage withstand the turmoil they must overcome? And should they survive the journey through a hostile, wild country, will they find happiness in an unfamiliar place that drove them west and took them from their beloved Arkansas home? 

Broken promises, shattered trust, empty dreams. Can Sanderson and Charlotte's love hold fast through the darker side of "for better and for worse"?

Sanderson and Charlotte set out on the dangerous journey to California Territory along with Minerva, Jerry, and the children. Though Charlotte doesn’t want to leave Arkansas, Sanderson is looking forward to building a life for Charlotte, Cotton, and little Charlie in the vibrant new territory. But when they arrive at Fort Bidwell, Sanderson and Jerry are immediately faced with a hard decision—they must free the captive Indians they have been hired to hunt down.

In a world where women are expected to be silent, Charlotte refuses to ignore injustice. When she defies the powerful bank president, it causes repercussions that can devastate the Redding family. In standing up to the town bullies to protect Cotton, Charlotte finds an unlikely ally in the handsome young half-Chinese outlaw, Johnny Tan. But will Johnny prove to be Sanderson’s nemesis or his saving grace?

Charlotte knows she can’t stay in Fort Bidwell, where circumstances seem to be ripping her once-happy family apart. Determined to leave, she must convince Sanderson to give up the security of his railroad job, pull up stakes, and head for Idaho, with A HEART FOREVER WILD… 

 Esau Fitzpatrick is bad at being good—and even worse at being bad. 

As he waits for his sweetheart, Ella Allen, inside the Paisley Settlement church, a brewing storm erupts and lightning strikes, setting the church aflame. Ella and her parents pull Esau from the fire, but his parents are lost in the blazing inferno.

Angry at God, Esau flees his home and all he holds dear, only to fall in with the notorious Covington-Jones gang. He journeys down the path to destruction and darkness, reliving the hellish fire in his nightmares.

Ella clings to the prayer that Esau will find his way back to a godly path – and to her. But Esau is gone, and her world is falling to pieces. Ella must lean on God in a way she’s never had to before as she follows her heart against everyone’s wishes. Can she dare to believe that Esau will ever change?

Esau’s life as an outlaw comes to a head during an epic cattle rustle. He is forced to choose between eternal hellfire and the rocky path of the Lord. Will Ella still be waiting for him? Or has he lost her forever? God reaches out to Esau again, but will it be in time? 

Chunky Sugars is mommy and baby fun, filled with kisses and counting! 

19th Century Navajo preschooler Walks With A Stumble wants nothing more than to be a great chef someday. The only problem is, well, he walks with a stumble. After trying to help only to lose most of his family’s food stores for the winter, Walks With A Stumble learns that the only way to achieve your dreams is to just be yourself. 

From Anderson to Zavala and El Paso to Wilbarger, come "waltz" down the alphabet with some of the silliest, strangest, and just plain weirdest plants that the Lone Star State has to offer! Hairy grama, check. Xylorhiza wrightii, check. Bluebonnets are are so much more than just blue, check. This book has them all and then some! 

Farkleberry. Chrysothamnus nauseosus . Old Man’s Beard. Zanthoxylum clava-herculis. What do all of these farkling, nauseating, hairy clubs of Hercules have in common? They are all easily-identifiable plants found in Oklahoma, that's what! 

 Halloween night can't get any worse when her boss, Joseph Clanton, is a no-show and Kelly is stuck closing up the Dairy King alone . . . or so she thought. A cryptic order from an empty room and late-season twister combine to make Kelly's Halloween night a truly unforgettable one by sending her spiraling back through the folds of time and depositing her smack in the middle of an ancient grudge match between none other than Wyatt Earp and Ike Clanton. Can Kelly survive the shootout in the streets of Old Amarillo while dodging Virgil's knife and denying Doc Holliday's romantic advances all while trying to find her way back home? 

With his troubled past never far from his mind, the once-handsome Smith heads out to lose himself in the anonymity offered by the American West. When he arrives in Gabriel's Settlement, Texas he succumbs to the lifestyle of quick money and adventuresome living offered by a gang of wily bank robbers. It isn't until he crosses paths with Johanna Johannsen and her daughter Sadie that Smith discovers he isn't the only person in Texas with a looming past, and some people's devils are much closer to home than his own. When he learns of the Dalton Gang's plans to stick up the bank in Gabriel's Settlement, Smith must make a choice. But is he strong enough to face his past and be the man his own father couldn't be?  

 Some brides are hard to get a rope on, for sure! But in these wild west romance tales, being married is like sugar and lots of spice—with a dash of pepper in the mix! Ain’t nothin’ tame about these brides, who have a delicious story of their own—each falling under the spell of a handsome devil she thought was out of her reach. Unanswered prayers, broken dreams and unexpected circumstances are sometimes the best way for a groom to get the gal he loves when he’s looking at Lassoing a Bride!

THE BANK ROBBER'S LAMENT by Sara Barnard
Smith found equal amounts of both anonymity and trouble in Gabriel's Settlement. But when he sets eyes on a beautiful woman and her young daughter who are being abused, might some other emotion be fated to bloom in that desert town of far west Texas?

 Some song titles evoke memories not only of the song, but also of the time…the era…the place. They call for stories all their own, and at Fire Star Press they’ve inspired a new boxed set!

From the 1940’s through the 1980’s, each decade is represented by a song that was made powerhouse-popular during the time.

Can true love happen in “This Magic Moment” when two young lovers fall for one another at CRAZY HORSE HIGH by Sara Swann-Barnard?

Pull up a chair and settle in for five music-inspired love stories through the decades that will take you down a breathless walk through memory lane… 

 A children’s short story anthology of 14 Fantastic stories that will fire your children’s imaginations and open their eyes to worlds of dragons, mermaids, self exploration, moral guidance and good old fashioned fun. Check out the amazing cover by Paula Murphy and professional contributions from Heather Maisner and Boris Glikman. 

 Are wolves mean? Does anything scare a wolf? Are wolves really big and bad?

Come along with Cocoa the Gray Wolf to discover the answers to these questions (and more) and meet America's wolves!

Perfect for classrooms and independent reading, as well! 

 Hold on to your Stetson and get ready for some darn fine reading for a price you won’t believe! This Prairie Rose Publications boxed set includes five western romance novels with something for everyone! So come on, see what lies within A COWBOY’S HEART!

THE CALLING is an inspirational tale by Sara Barnard about a young man who turns away from God and the woman he loves to follow the outlaw trail. But love holds true and Esau can’t forget the past as God pushes him to face his sins and make things right again in a most unusual way!

 Bad memories. A fresh start. A marriage on the rocks.

Who can a young family trust when the black memories of their past collide with the dark secrets kept in their new home?

- It had been a while since I'd read paranormal fiction, and the title of this novel caught my attention. I won a copy of the book and wasted little time in starting it. I don't want to give away too much about the plot or the characters. So let me just say that this story of family love, lost children, bad doctors, and vengeful ghosts was very entertaining.  -

#1 in New Releases for Children's Historical U.S. Western 

Twelve-year-old Wind That Knocks Down Lodges loves his little sister, Cactus Flower, and the wildness of the desert canyonland the Apache call home. But in one night of misunderstanding and mistakes, Knocks Down and Cactus Flower’s innocent world is shaken as they find themselves locked in the nearby fort with the pale face soldiers and their mother’s lifeless body. With no one to lean on but each other, Knocks Down and Cactus Flower must make their way as children of The People in the pale face world—pale faces who have now become the enemy. 

 February 1542, London
Catherine Howard, Queen Consort of England, faces the executioner's axe.
King Henry VIII needs a new wife.

Lady Bridget Denny and her cousin, Lady Elizabeth, have fallen into favor with His Majesty's groomsmen. They are taken to Court to be judged for the position of the next queen, but Bridget fears the title of Queen of England is little more than a royal death sentence. The woods surrounding the castle are deep and dark and hold many secrets-perhaps there is room for one more.

Bridget is determined to escape the lusty king. But can she survive his royal executioner? 

An Amish settlement. An English stranger. The Blizzard of 1888. Who can Rebekah trust when the line between the Amish and the English becomes blurred?

 A sweet and gentle love blossoms between Rebekah Stoll and her childhood friend Joseph Graber, despite attempts by her saucy nemesis, Katie Knepp, to sway the young man's affections her way. 

When Joseph hints at the promise of forever, Rebekah is positive she should say yes to his proposal - until a mysterious English stranger shows up at her homestead and sets everything she thought she knew about her world on end. 

 “I’m Katie Knepp from Gasthof Village. I’m headed south. For Texas.”

Peter turned to face the man who still shrouded him in his massive shadow. Katie watched as the stranger on the little hill lifted his hand to his mouth and plucked a cigarette from his lips. The breeze fluttered his coat as he stood unmoving, staring at them. The pair of pistols that hung on his hips caught the sun and shone out, making Katie squint against the blinding metallic glare. Silver devils, Katie thought. Someone once described pistols like that as silver devils. She let her gaze travel up the man and focus on his cold, staring eyes. And now I understand why.

“Are you going to kill us,” Katie breathed.

The stranger dropped his hands, allowing his duster to flip back over the silver devils. He stepped down the little hill toward them.

“I never yet killed a man that didn’t need killin’.” 

 An impending wedding. A sudden sickness. A Rumspringa gone wrong.

As Rebekah and Joseph's wedding draws closer, their happiness starts to collapse. Can they bring order back to their gentle world before they say I do? 

*****

5 Star Review

*****

 Wonderful five star story - like a breath of fresh air in the Amish book world. I love Rebekah and Joseph. The fact that he would risk so much to go and look for the missing Katie Knepp -- and that Rebekah would toss aside her own doubts to go and help him -- makes me love them even more. Ms. Harris's writing style keeps the story moving as always. 

The book is not just a romance, it's a romance packed with adventure. The way she weaves in real historical characters like Jack the Ripper and Nellie Bly keeps me on the edge of my seat. 

That's my other favorite thing about this series and about this author. All her books are that way. I highly recommend you add this book and this series to your TBR pile in 2021. I can hardly wait for the next one! 

Rebekah and Joseph are enjoying married life when a letter, addressed only to Joseph, arrives from Katie, telling of her pregnancy. Soon after, Rebekah learns that she, too, is with child; however, her difficult pregnancy is nothing like Katie’s idyllic one.

Tensions between Rebekah and her husband grow when she learns Joseph is keeping the correspondence going without her knowledge. Rebekah begins to lose faith in her marriage, and by the time her sickly father, Samuel, presents her with an heirloom cradle, she wonders if hers will be the only hands rocking it.

When Katie and her family arrive for a visit, Rebekah expects the worst but instead learns that lessons in love tend to occur in the most unexpected places.

London debutante Redella Jerningham is on the way to her wedding in the islands when her schooner is overtaken by Russian Jack and his notorious Black Otter fleet of pirates.

In a shocking twist plucked from the pages of history, Jack takes the young girl as his wife-and his equal. Under Jack's practiced hand, Redella proves her salt in terms of sensuality, cunning ability, savagery-and brutality.

When fate brings The Black Otter into the waters of the infamous Chinese fleet, Russian Jack is tasked with executing his young wife, or facing the blade himself. However, Redella, now known as Back from the Dead Red, does not take matters of love and life lightly.

Can one pirate queen survive the unthinkable and return to command her fleet-with or without the man she loves?

NOW AVAILABLE FOR PREORDER

COMING JULY 26, 2022

As the memory of the traumatic labor and delivery that made her a mother fades, life around Rebekah and Joseph’s Gasthof Village homestead returns to a shade of normal that is better than she could have ever imagined. That is, until her father, Samuel, takes sick yet again.

As they are preparing for a life without Samuel, a summer storm brings tragedy to their homestead and Rebekah is left distraught over which man in her life is on his deathbed . . . her father, her husband, or both?