The Courting of Miss Cady by Grace Hitchcock

 

Purchase: AMAZON

Another wonderful addition to the Aprons and Veils series! And I expected nothing less, which is why, upon receipt, I began reading it directly after work, until 11:30, and woke up early to finish it at 6:30 this morning.
This book has some wonderfully dramatic moments, an almost double meet-cute, and beautiful faith woven throughout.  Wade is a kind, gentle hero, and Jane is generous beyond expectation.

 Quotable: "Lord, help me through today. Let me not focus on the rumors. Renew my heart, Lord, and give me hope for my family’s future."

I loved this tale and always enjoy returning to a Harvey House.

Highly recommended! 

I received an eVersion from the author prior to release, for my honest opinion. All thoughts are mine alone without expectation or compensation.

Read: 10/15&16/2025
Book #200 - 2025 Reading Challenge 

SYNOPIS:
He’s the man of her dreams—she just doesn’t know it yet.

New York socialite Jane Cady is the envy of the season, and the supposed love of Graham Bank’s life until news arrives that her father’s last merchant ship has sunk, costing them everything. To avoid scandal, the family disappears to manage a hotel in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Determined to support her family, Jane sets aside her dream of marriage and joins her father in working for the Harvey House as a waitress. But when her former fiancé strolls into the Castañeda Hotel, the weight of her sacrifice becomes all too real.

Rancher Wade Sterling is well acquainted with hard work, and that Miss Jane is one of the hardest-working Harvey Girls he’s ever met, besides his sister-in-law. When Jane faints on duty, Wade catches her and upon her awakening in his arms, her passionate kiss nearly knocks him off his feet. She begs him to play along and before he knows it, she tells some dandy that they are happily courting. Jane later begs Wade’s forgiveness, explaining it was an emergency as the man was her former fiancé and their relationship ended poorly. But, when the dandy stays in town, Wade finds himself in a fake courtship and in love with the woman of his dreams. He only needs to convince Jane that he is the man of hers.

Product details

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0FW9ZGSRR
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Valmont House Publishers
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 14, 2025
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 280 pages
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8991270717
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15 ounces
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.7 x 8.5 inches
• Book 5 of 5 ‏ : ‎ Aprons & Veils
• Best Sellers Rank: #513,740 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #242 in Gilded Age Historical Romance
  • #536 in Western & Frontier Christian Romance
  • #2,045 in Christian Historical Fiction (Books)
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

Lady Pinkerton Fun in Courting Misfortune by Regina Jennings

 Courting Misfortune - The Joplin Chronicles Book 1 by Regina Jennings (c) Dec. 1, 2020

THOROUGHLY ENJOYED EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS BOOK, especially Calista's crazy family. ***

When I first read "Intrigue a La Mode", a story featured in “Serving up Love: A Harvey House Brides Collection”, I knew this story was immediately going on my TBR list. ***

Set in Joplin, Missouri 1898 ***

Calista York is determined to prove herself as Pinkerton detective; currently on probation. "Jinxy stood when she entered. Two hundred and fifty pounds of sausage and cannelloni stuffed into a striped suit."  The gangster's daughter has gone missing, and Calista is tasked with finding her.  Unfortunately, she is sent to a heathenous town filled with miners and harlots very near where many of her relatives live. "Years of rough-and-tumble summers full of pranks and plots had honed all of the family's senses to expect the unexpected and to improvise when necessary, but if word got back to Calista's parents that she was undertaking such a dangerous profession that would be the end of it." "When Calista had applied for the job, she'd known she would be sacrificing safety and comfort. She hadn't known she'd be asked to forfeit love as well." ***

A newcomer to Joplin is determined to win souls of said heathens and stop a local baby raffle. "It had seemed so simple back home in Pine Gap. Matthew Cook had heard the call of God since he was young."  "From the altar of his country church, Matthew had promised God to go to the darkest, most desperate place on earth." However, Calista York seems to confound him at every turn, and saving her soul may just be what breaks him. ***

Calista's cousins are a hoot and boy did they make me laugh. "Oh, we know the fear of the Lord, but there's lots of ways to have fun that the Lord hasn't thought to expressly prohibit," Amos said. "Finding those things is our specialty." He wasn’t kidding!  Read for yourself and laugh out loud! ***

TEA QUOTE: Loretta came inside cradling a jar of stout tea with tea bags still floating. "If you have a pitcher, I'll dilute it," she said "Made no sense to mix it at the tent and carry it over heavy." ***

As I am getting stingier with my five star ratings, it's saying a lot that this is one I rate as EXCELLENT.  This story was gifted to me via NetGalley and the publisher.  All opinions are mine alone without expectation or compensation. *** 

5 stars

 

SERIES:

0.5 INTRIGUE A LA MODE (eBook or within Serving Up Love novella collection) *** 

Catch up with the author here

Until next time, hugs & a cup of tea!

Serving Up Love 4 in 1 Harvey House Brides Collection

Serving Up Love – Four (unrelated) Harvey House Brides Novellas

    

A Flood of Love, Novella by Tracie Peterson •*•Great Ending •*•

[OPENING] August 1929  

Gretchen Gottsacker stepped from the train and looked around at the tiny town of San Marcial, New Mexico. (5 stars)

More Than A Pretty Face, a Patchwork Family Novella by Karen Witemeyer •*• Book 1.5 I loved It!  •*• [OPENING] Gainsesville, TX, 1902

“I’m not going to marry her, Mother.” Caleb Durrington bit the inside of his cheek to keep the rest of the words piling up on his tongue from escaping. (5 stars)

Intrigue al la Mode, a Novella by Regina Jennings •*• Good mystery which is hard to do in a novella •*• [OPENING] Emporia, Kansas, 1898

The breakfast rush had ended, and Willow Kentworth had already reset her station. There was nothing to do now except patrol her table and guard against horseflies dying on the starched tablecloth… (5 stars - Loved the cousin! She needs her own story!)

A Grand Encounter, a Novella by Jen Turano •*•All the wonderful shenanigans one has come to expect from a Jen Turano story! •*•

[OPENING] El Tovar Hotel, Grand Canyon, AZ, 1908

“I know you mentioned you’ve sworn off gentlemen forever, but Mr. Tall, Dark, and – need I say Delicious is here again, and, unsurprisingly, he’s sitting in your section.” (5 stars I would give it 10 stars if I could!)

I don’t often find a novella collection where all the stories are 5 stars, so this was a great surprise!

Bethany House Publishing © 11/5/2019

Click for Karen's Site

Karen Witemeyer kindly sent me a complimentary book in the hopes of a favorable review, with no further compensation. All opinions are mine alone.

Click for Tracie's Site

Click for Regina's Site

  

Click for Jen's Site

& wherever books are sold.
Click Here for Amazon Link

Until next time, Hugs and a Cup of Tea ~
 

A Singular & Whimsical Problem - Book Review

A Singular & Whimsical Problem – A Herringford and Watts Mystery

Rachel McMillan

•°• WONDERFUL •°•

November 1910, Toronto, Canada

Told in first person by Jemima (aka Jem), and primarily about her and Mirinda’s (her roommate) detective adventures.  There are 3 cases: a missing cat with 1 ear, a missing suffragette, and a sister who suspects something is amiss with her younger sister, who suddenly also goes missing!

Assisting the girls: Constable Jasper and journalist, Ray DeLuca, plus Kat and Mouse (two poor children from the tenements who help on cases, getting into places our detectives can not).

I absolutely loved this book.  I had read a review on another blog, and could not wait to get my hands on one of the books.  While ordering I spotted this eNovella for only $2.51 (sadly, no paperback available), and gave it a shot.  I read it in an afternoon.  The book is full of danger, mystery, humor and a teeny hint at romance.  Plus there are plenty of scenes that include tea drinking… my favorite! The mystery was light enough; in other words, not gruesome, so I was not uncomfortable.

Amusing Quote by Jasper – Ch. 4 - “A nice place for respectable young women to lunch.  And by respectable young women I am not talking about you Mirinda.” Merinda harrumphed.
Faith Quote from Jem –  End of book – I took a deep breath and closed my eyes and whispered a prayer – more effective than a wish … – I loved this, because that is so me.  I always say a prayer when blowing out a birthday candle!

Tea Moments:

FIRST - there is a tea kettle hiding on this fabulous cover!
Dedication Page – Go to battle, yes, but with a well-steeped kettle of tea and a batch of irresistible muffins.  You will slay him where he stands and he will be rendered powerless. ~From Dorothea Fairfax’s Compendium to Bachelor Girlhood.

Ch. 1 - I blushed, hurrying to the kitchen to make tea while Merinda greeted our client and showed her into the sitting room.

Ch. 1 - The well-dressed lady settled on our doily-ornamented settee, gingerly sipping the hot black tea I supplied her.

Ch. 1 - “Tea, Jemima?” He lifted a hand to the waitress, who acknowledged him with a nod.  She returned in a moment with a pot and was rewarded with a smile.

Ch. 1 - Merinda appeared with the tea service – she’d forgotten the biscuits- and poured three cups.

Ch. 4 - He shrugged. “Why don’t we go in for a bite of lunch? I’m freezing and I could use a hot cup of tea.”  Settled, Jasper used an empty chair to position his discarded police hat and ran his fingers through his thick hair.  I ordered cream teas for all of us with a plate of extra sandwiches for Jasper.  While we sipped, Merinda’s cat eyes patrolled the tearoom.

About the Author – “Rachel can most often be found drinking tea and watching British miniseries.” YEEEES! ;)

New to Me word of the day – Ch. 5 Indefatigable = persisting tirelessly

I purchased and downloaded this eNovella from Amazon.  Overall, I would recommend this book to a friend.

5 stars

© 2015 Harvest House Pub.

7 chapters + epilogue

Read: 5/31/2016

Reviewed: 6/1/2016

Blessings and a glass of iced tea... since today begins national iced tea month!