Seven Brides for Seven Mail-Order Husbands Romance Collection by Susan Page Davis, Susanne Dietze, Darlene Franklin, Patty Smith Hall, Cynthia Hickey, Carrie Fancett Pagels, Gina Welborn

Published June 1st 2017 

by Barbour Books

448 pages

ABOUT BOOK

Seven women seek husbands to rebuild a Kansas town.

Meet seven of Turtle Springs, Kansas’, finest women who are determined to revive their small town after the War Between the States took most of its men. . .and didn’t return them. The ladies decide to advertise for husbands and devise a plan for weeding out the riff raff. But how can they make the best practical choices when their hearts cry out to be loved?

Abigail’s Proposal by Cynthia Hickey

When her father never returned from the war, Abigail Melton stepped into his role as town mayor. The town needs men, and she needs a husband—and she has a big idea how to find both—but her first duty is to hire a sheriff. And drifter Josiah Ingram will do just fine.

The Kidnapped Groom by Susan Page Davis

Riding through the Flint Hills on his way to Dodge City, cowboy Sam Cayford finds himself the kidnapping victim of two children. When he meets their lovely mother, Maggie Piner—whom the kids insist he should marry—Sam starts to question God’s plans versus his own. 

A Clean Slate by Susanne Dietze

Schoolmarm Roberta “Birdy” Green won’t marry any of the prospective grooms flocking to town. After losing her fiancé in the war, the only love her broken heart can bear is for her students. But then she takes on a new pupil—Drew Cooper, one of the gentlemen drawn to Kansas by the advertisement for grooms.

Sunshine of My Heart by Darlene Franklin

Debbie Barker longs to bring beauty to her new home on the prairie, where her family moved after the war, and seeks a husband to help her father run the ranch. Zack Gage returned home from the war to a life in ruins—family dead and business bankrupted. He answers the mail-order husband ad to seek a fresh start. But neither Debbie nor Zeke know what they are doing when it comes to ranching. . .or love.

Come What May by Patty Smith Hall

Chardy Stevens is at the end of her rope. Between running her late father’s store and tending to her four younger brothers, she barely has time to breathe, much less look for a husband to help her. The boys scare off most of her prospects and throw Chardy together with her childhood friend Luke, a disabled veteran who seeks her happiness above his own.

Dime Novel Suitor by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Widow Caroline Kane is the proprietor of a restaurant and inn—and responsible for her five teenaged siblings. But she has no plans of finding a mail-order groom. Britisher Barden Granville IV is on a “cowboy holiday” when he finds himself flat broke in Kansas.  When he answers an old “help wanted” ad, Caroline misconstrues Barden is there as a potential husband. Will the beautiful and fiesty widow cause the new vicar to make Kansas his home? 

Louder than Words by Gina Welborn

After years of writing abolitionist pamphlets and chronicling soldier life during the war, J.R. Lockhart is bored and jumps at the opportunity to investigate an advertisement for husbands for an article in Godey’s Lady’s Book. Jane Ransome would like to help the charming-but-oblivious-to-life-out-West man chronicle the courtships developing in town, but she has her own husband to find—one who will fit perfectly in her picket-fenced Kansas home.

MY THOUGHTS

What an enjoyable read! These women knew the life that was handed them was too much to handle on their own with children, farms and businesses without a husband. So they create an advertisement for mail order husbands to attend auditions for potential spouses. 

I had a hard time setting this book aside. Being familiar with all of these authors it was exactly what I expected, which was to draw me into the hearts of each and every woman and man in search of a secure future. God was in attendace at these auditions and knew what was in each and every heart involved. It was definitely not an easy transition for anyone but with trust in the Lord and hard work a new future could be seen.

I highly recommend this book.

 I rated this book 5 Stars.

Disclosure:  I received a free digital copy of this book from Barbour 

Publishing via Netgalley for review. I was not compensated for for this review it is my honest opinion.

The Second Chance Brides Collection: Nine Historical Romances Offer New Hope for Love

Paperback, 448 pages 

Expected publication August 1st 2017 

by Barbour Books

ISBN1683222466 (ISBN13: 981683222460)

Series: Barbour Bride Collections

ABOUT BOOK

Meet nine women who each believe their chance for lifelong love has passed them by. From the girls who lost their beaus to war, to the wallflowers overshadowed by others, and the widows deeply hurt by their loss, the desire to love and be loved spans American history from 1777 to 1944. Experience the sweet pull of romance on each life and the blossom of faith that leads them to brighter futures.

AUTHORS

by Lauralee Bliss, Angela Breidenbach, Ramona K. Cecil, Pamela Griffin, Grace Hitchcock, Pam Hillman,Laura V. Hilton, Tiffany Amber Stockton, Liz Tolsma

MY THOUGHTS

I very much enjoyed all the books in this collection. Thanks to the outstanding authors coming together to share a wide span through history of love and circumstances for couples searching for a second chance to marry.  All along the Lord is leading. 

Barbour Publishing has become one of my favorite go to publishers for Christian historical fiction. Always feeding my appetite for a good read.

I rated this book 5 Stars

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from Barour Pubishing via Netglley for an honest review.  I was in no way compensated for this review. It is my honest opinion. 

The Blue Ribbon Brides Collection: 9 Historical Women Win More than a Blue Ribbon at the Fair

9 Historical Women Win More than a Blue Ribbon at the Fair

by Jennifer L. AlLee, Angela Breidenbach, Darlene Franklin, Cynthia Hickey, Carrie Fancett Pagels, Tiffany Amber Stockton, Niki Turner, Gina Welborn, Becca Whitham

Meet nine men and women whose competitive goals take them to state and county fairs between 1889 and 1930. From baking pie to polishing pigs, from sculpting butter to stitching quilts, everyone has something to prove to themselves and their communities. But in going for the blue ribbon, will nine women miss the greatest prize of all—the devoted heart of a godly man?

ISBN: 9781634098618

Pages:448

Barbour Books

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

CBD

MY THOUGHTS 

Nine stories of young women seeing blue, Blue Ribbons that is of which they wish to win at their State Fair.  But that may not be all they win. Some are watching the crowds for that one Mr. Right, hoping they might have the chance to win his heart.  Some of these young men may have been a little resistant and other are not resistant at all to this idea.

Each novella takes us to a different state telling the history for that year and about the Fair itself. Like how the Fair is set up, what it offers as attractions and more adventure than any of these young people may have ever experienced in the lives. 

I liked all nine of the novellas. Some captured my heart a little more than others. To say which one is a favorite I must keep that a secret.

     

The County Fairs I attended were not State Fairs but I found them memorable. My kids have even walked away with some Blue and Red Ribbons showing Nubian Dairy Goats.

Congratulations to these authors for this adventurous collection of romance novellas with Christian values. Let's give all of them a big Blue Ribbon. 

I highly recommend this book!

I RATED THIS BOOK 

Disclosure: I received a free ebook from NetGalley/Barbour for an honest review.  I was in no way compensated for this review. 

The Convenient Bride Collection: 9 Romances Grow from Marriage Partnerships Formed Out of Necessity

About Book

Join nine brides of convenience on their adventures in a variety of times and settings gone by—from a ranch in California…to the rugged mountains of Colorado…to a steamship on the Mississippi…to the dangerous excitement of the Oregon Trail…into high society of New York City. No matter the time or place, the convenient brides proceed with what must be done, taking nuptials out of necessity. . .and never dreaming that God might take their feeble attempts to secure their futures and turn them into true love stories for His glory.bout

Paperback, 448 pages

Expected publication: July 1st 2015 by Barbour Books 

ISBN 1634090977 (ISBN13 97816340971)

Buy on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, CBD

Authors

Erica Vetsch  

Amanda Barratt 

Andrea Boeshaar 

Mona Hodgson  

Melissa Jagears  

Maureen Lang 

Gabrielle Meyer 

Jennifer Uhlarik 

Renee Yancy

My Thoughts

This collection of stories is about determination and fortitude, which I found in each of these brides as they ventured into a blind agreement of marriage, most intriguing.  I am not so sure I in that age or time would have found the courage to venture into such an agreement. Though most of these women did not have much of a choice for some it was a matter of life or death.

We are fortunate as women to have rights these women did not have back then.

Each story made an impression on my heart leaving me to imagine if any of the women on my family tree were put in the position to make such a choice.  

Don't even ask me to pick which story was my favorite because I must say they are all top of my favorite list. 

I want to thank all of these authors for combining their stories into one book for our pleasure to read and contemplate on historical times for women, which is my favorite subject.

I highly recommend this book! 

I rated this book a 5 out of 5.

Dislosure: I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley/BabourBooks for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Fear, Faith, and a Fistful of Chocolate by Debora M. Coty

About Book

Wit and Wisdom for Sidestepping Life's Worries

  ~Debora M. Coty~

Are you ready to strip fear’s power over you and become the confident woman you were meant to be? Have you found that tolerating your personal fear monsters only makes them growl louder?

Okay, sister – take my hand and let’s boldly step up and yank the masks off those shadow-lurking, anxiety-churning, worry-generating beasts.

With her own brand of off-beat wit and wisdom, inspirational humorist Debora Coty addresses heart needs of women worn down by everyday fears – financial, health, relationships, loss, pain, the unknown, the what ifs …

With fresh spiritual insight, Debora shares hope, true life stories, scriptural lifelines, and a few LOL’s along with simple, practical tips for sidestepping fear with faith. And a fistful of chocolate!

Purchase a copy here.

Tour schedule here.

About Debora

Debora Coty is an occupational therapist, a piano teacher, and a freelance writer. She’s also involved in the children’s ministry at her church and is an avid tennis player. Debora began writing to fill the void when her last child left for college, and it has since become a passion. Debora has a real knack for getting across sound biblical concepts with a refreshing lightheartedness as attested in her monthly newspaper column entitled “Grace Notes: God’s Grace for Everyday Living.”

Celebrate the release of Fear, Faith and a Fistful of Chocolate with Debora Coty by entering her Kindle Fire Giveaway and RSVPing to the March 7th Author Chat Party on Facebook!

One "sweet" winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• A Debora Coty Library (Fear, Faith and a Fistful of Chocolate, More Beauty, Less Beast, Too Blessed To Be Stressed, and Everyday Hope)
• Chocolate (Every good thing begins with chocolate!)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends 3/6/13. Winner will be announced at Debora's "Fear, Faith and a Fistful of Chocolate" Facebook Party on 3/7. Debora will be hosting an evening of chat, fun trivia, laughter, and encouragement - bring your friends! She'll also be giving away some GREAT prizes: gift certificates, books, and a book club prize pack! (Ten copies of the book for your small group or book club and a live chat with Debora via Skype.)

So grab your copy of Fear, Faith and a Fistful of Chocolate and join Debora and friends on the evening of March 7th for an evening of fun. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 7th!

* * * 

My Thoughts

How can fear be humorous?  In this book it does make you look at the funny side of dealing with fear, what ifs, the unknown, pain, and loss in your life.  Your imagination can be an enemy sometimes causing us to fear the unknown.   

At age sixty-two with prayer and faith in God I am able to control most of my fears.   When my daughters were still at home I felt as if I was responsible for what everyone did or should do, ,yet I felt like I had no control over the situation.  Well I learned the hard way that I can advise and set rules but it was still up to the individual to follow through with what was right hopefully. If not then we would deal with it the best we could.  It would have been helpful to have had this book back then.

The author writes that you will end up making a nervous wreck out of yourself.  It can cause sleeping problems, anxiety and insecurities.  More health problems than I wish name.  Humor is one her antidotes, but most important is having faith in God's and His Word.  Putting on God's Armor.  You will love the authors interpretation of God's Armor. 

Chapter 15, This Helmet Is Worth Hat Hair

(Helmet of Salvation: Grace)

God's grace has set us free.

Romans 6:15

In Chapter 6, Who Wants to Be a Worry Wart?

(Curbing worry)

Don't worry about anything, 

instead, pray about everything, 

tell God what you need, 

and thank Him for all He has done.

Philippians 4:6 NLT

I would love to share so much more of her book with you but then you wouldn't have to read the book yourself, would you.  Grrrr!  There I go again trying to control.

You should check out some of her other books, too!

I highly recommend this book!

I rated this book a 5 out of 5.

Disclosure: 

I received a free copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity Group/Barbour Publishing for review

JOIN THE FLOCK

Book Blogger Hop: 9/9-9/12 Honor 9/11

LET'S HONOR 9/11

image via Wikipedia

What were you doing the day this happened?

I was getting ready for work as it started and was at work all day trying to hold myself together as everyone else around me was doing the same.  I pray for everyone and our country as we remember that earth shattering day ten short years ago. 

Voting for Book Blogger Appreciation Week ends on Saturday Sept. 10! Here are the nominees! Now, GO VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITES!

How it Works
As long as you meet the qualifications of a book blogger, you may add your book blog link into the linky list below. But before you do that, there are a few requirements. Read up, to save yourself a headache with the linky!

1. Before you add your link, you must post about the Hop on your blog and link directly back to THIS POST (not just my domain, but the direct post for this Hop). The linky is going to review the link that you enter in your submission, looking for a link to this post on your blog. If it doesn’t find one, your link will not be approved. This is called back linking and I had to institute it because people were taking advantage of the Hop and getting some free advertising without promoting the Hop themselves. You can read more about this here.


2. While you are creating your post, answer the following question (there’s a new prompt each week)!

Thanks to Lori for this week’s question!

“Many of us primarily read one genre of books, with others sprinkled in. If authors stopped writing that genre, what genre would you start reading? Or would you give up reading completely if you couldn’t read that genre anymore?”

I primarily read Christian Fiction. But if for some reason they stopped writing this genre I would read Historical fiction like The Winter Sea and contemporary romance.  God forbid they ever stop writing Christian Fiction.  I do like some of the Young Adult.  It is the Fantasy that I have difficulty in getting into some are too far fetched for me.  I read The Host and enjoyed it very much. I just found out she has The Soul (Host #2 ) and The Seeker (Host#3) coming out in 2012.  I will be reading both of them.   I am anxious to read Witch Song if I can find a way to work it into my must read book list.

3. Now it’s time to enter your blog link into the linky below (after the list of instructions!).

Instructions:

• Click on: You are next – Click here to enter
• A new page will open
• In the “Link Title/Blog Title” box, please enter the NAME OF YOUR BLOG and in parentheses after your blog name, please state the main genre that you review (i.e. Crazy-for-Books (contemp. fiction))
• In the “Link” box, please put a direct link to your blog hop post
  (i.e. http://crazy-for-books.com/2011/08/book-blogger-hop-819-822.html)
• There is a note about the Back Link requirement. Please make sure you have linked back to this blog hop post in the post on your blog or your link will not be accepted! Be sure to read this important note!
• Please enter your e-mail address in the box provided in case I need to contact you about your link submission.
• The list is randomized, so your link will not appear in a specified order. If you are looking for your link, I suggest you do a Ctrl-F on your PC keyboard and type a few letters of your blog name so you can find it easily.

That’s it! Now you can start hopping around, visiting other links in the list, meeting fellow bloggers and chatting about their blogs and books they are reading. If you aren’t a blogger, this is a great opportunity for readers to find new sites to follow and meet some new friends who enjoy reading the same things that they do! I strongly encourage you to take some time to visit these blogs and spend some time with your blog friends. We all work hard on our sites and we enjoy getting company, so let’s read more than just the blog hop post – let’s connect! That’s what the Hop was created for!  Happy Hopping!

TEASER TUESDAY by MizB of Should Be Reading

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

1. Grab your current read
2. Open to a random page
3. Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t
give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
4. Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to
their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teasers:

"He yearned for the grounding that coming home would provide for him and sometime, for a family. The simplicity of rural living in Wisconsin was the missing piece to his personal life puzzle."
~p.40 "CALLED HOME" by Gloria Schumann

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the author for review.  I offer my honest opinion when I review a book.

Review - A Wedding Blunder in the Black Hills by Kim O'Brien

A Wedding Blunder in the Black Hills
by Kim O'Brien

Paperback, 320 pages
Expected publication: September 1st 2011
by Barbour Books
ISBN 1616264918
(ISBN13: 9781616264918)

David and Millie both have big problems. A widowed dentist with an almost-teen son, he’s being stalked by an amorous patient. Millie’s mom keeps sending her on blind dates, even though the café owner has trust issues. So when a lost filling lands Millie in David’s office, the two of them find a solution—a faux relationship. No one gets hurt and no one gets nagged. It’s a great plan—until they really start to care. Now what will they do?

My Thoughts:

This is the review I posted on GoodReads.
I wasn't expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did. We never know what good can come from life's trials and tribulations. Never under estimate the power of prayer and God's timing in answering our prayers.
The main characters were pretty normal in my book considering their past. It was funny one minute and serious the next. I liked that the author touched on child bullying since it is such an issue for some children. The one thing in the book that confused me was a group of elderly friends. I did not see a need for that many women to be up in Millie's business or the need for such detailed description of these individuals unless there is to be more books involving this group of friends. It is great to have a support system but I just thought it was a little much. Also the ending seemed to have a little cliff hanger leaving this story open for another book possibly. It was a very good read. I would definitely recommend it.

Disclosure: Recieved copy from NetGalley via Kim O'Brien.