Sorry about the huge font! It was either that or teeny tiny. Blogger is being weird today! :/
Hearts Entwined – A Historical Romance 4 Novella Collection © Jan. 2018 Bethany House
Thanks to the author, Melissa Jagears, I received a copy from the publisher, in exchange for my honest review.
The Love Knot – A Ladies of Harper’s Station Novella by Karen Witemeyer
VERY SWEET STORY
May 1895, Harper’s Station, TX
Claire Nevin has received vague word that her younger sister, Polly, is in trouble. She is sending Claire more information through a friend who will arrive soon on the train. The last person she expected to step off of the train was Pieter, who broke her heart less than a year ago. But, Pieter is determined to win her back.
Ch. 7 Dressed in a cotton nightgown and wrapper, with a pair of thick stockings on her feet, she laid the Bible she’d brought with her on the table before padding over to the stove. She moved the kettle to the left side of the hob, where the stove emitted the most heat, then pulled out a chair and slid onto the sturdy wooden seat. No single day in the entire course of her life had brought as much change and emotional upheaval as this day. Not leaving Ireland. Not abandoning school to work in the embroidery shop. Not even that dreadful day in Rochester. She felt as wrung out as an old petticoat on washing day.
Read: 1/25/2018 - 5 stars
The Tangled Ties That Bind – A Kincaid Brides Novella by Mary Connealy
GOOD STORY
June 20, 1883 Rawhide Colorado
Connor Kincaid is heading home after 5 years away to finally be reunited with his family and Maggie, who he has loved and pined for while gone making his mark/becoming a man. The opening reunion of these two was fantastic. It involved an angry buffalo in the tree-filled Rockies.
Unbeknownst to Connor, Maggie is moving away, to his complete shock. She waited years for him to return, and when he didn’t she deiced to get busy living and go to Denver to go to school. After his ire subsides, he decides to follow her, and prove his love. Together they are a strong team and I really enjoyed what they learned. You can definitely see the impractical side of youth and snap decisions sometimes, particularly with Connor, but when push comes to shove he is a strong young man and quite smart as well. Maggie is rightfully cautious with her heart, but smart and determined in her own right. Good story.
Side note: Apparently (according to my files) I read book one in this series way back in 2014 when it was a free download. And the © date is actually 2011, so I find it interesting to be revisiting these characters all these years later.
Read: 1/26/2018 - 4 stars
Bound And Determined – A Fort Reno Novella by Regina Jennings
LOVED IT
August 1885, East of Ft. Reno, Indian Territory
Once again Private Bradley Willis, has made a snap decision that has landed him in hot water.
For retribution, he will be sent off to help a former cavalry officer, Captain Herald, move his heard across the plains and back home to Texas.
However, when he arrives he is stunned to learn the heard is camels! In addition, he will meet his match in gumption with the officer’s daughter, Ambrosia Herald.
Ch. 3. His mouth twitched. “I’m not your father ma’am. It doesn’t matter a whit to me if you get riled up, if you pout, or if you threaten to run away from home. I specialize in reckless, dramatic gestures, and I doubt any of yours would impress me.” I enjoyed this adventure very much, especially since I just read book 1 a few ago. The camels add a lot to the story and I enjoyed getting to know more about the interesting animals.
Read: 1/23/2018 - 5 stars
Tied and True – A Teaville Moral Society Novella by Melissa Jagears
SWEET STORY OF TRUST
September 1908
While David Kingsman travels to Teaville in book 2, this charming story takes place back home in Kansas City, MO. Marianne Lister is David’s childhood friend and his perfect future mate. That is according to his father and her parents as well. However, Marianne has been drawn to Calvin Hochstetler; the kindest, most hardworking man who makes her laugh and feel special. She believes making tea and playing hostess to high society types is the only thing she is good at. But helping him with his Widows and Orphans ministry gives her purpose, albeit she is still making tea.
Calvin finds Marianne to be bright, charming and lovely. AND certainly out of his league. He does everything he can to convince her to wait for David since a life with him would be one of struggle. In turn, she devises new ways to convince him she is up for the challenge a life with him might offer, and more than willing to leave comfort and class behind.
This story takes a peek at the life of female factory workers, including children and the hardships they faced. It also reminds us to find value in ourselves and trust the plan God has for us.
Ch. 1 The pounding of hammers above them ceased. Marianne Lister put down her tea and smiled at the widow whose roof was being reshingled by men from their church.
“We’ve got your roof finished, Mrs. Danby. And none too soon…”
She waved her age-spotted hand to encourage him across the threshold. “Why don’t you come in more for tea?”
Marianne picked up the nearly empty teapot. At least making tea was something she was good at. Even if this would be the fifth pot of tea Mrs. Danby plied on the men.
Read: 1/21/2018 - 5 stars
Again, sorry about the huge font! As I said, it was either that or teeny tiny. Blogger is being weird today! :/
