Friday Reads with Erica Vetsch, Becca Whitham, and Kathleen Y'Barbo ... and a GIVEAWAY!

This is the final week where I'll be sharing the novellas contained in The Homestead Brides Collection. As a thank you for sticking with me through these reviews, one of the authors (Ruth Logan Herne) has graciously offered to donate a hard copy of the book to be given away to one lucky reader. In order to enter, please see the Rafflecopter box at the end of the post. The contest will end at the end of the day on August 11, 2015. If you are the winner, I will contact you to get your mailing address to pass along to Ruth. (US residents only)

In case you didn't read my last posts, I will tell you a bit about the book. It contains novellas by eight veteran authors (Mary Connealy, Darlene Franklin, Carla Olson Gade, Ruth Logan Herne, Pam Hillman, Erica Vetsch, and Kathleen Y'Barbo) and one newbie (Becca Whitham). The stories provide a quick read that will fit in perfectly to your day. They all focus on the pioneering folks of the 1800s, but each story contains its own cast of characters on a search for land and a new future. This collection is a wonderful way for readers to be introduced to new authors and possibly find some favorites!

A Palace on the Plains by Erica Vetsch: Julie Farrington and all her luggage are headed to Nebraska. There, she is met by Cyrus Haskell. She was a hired to create a trousseau for Cyrus’ soon-to-be sister-in-law. Cyrus is a widowed father and has no time for distractions, and he makes it apparent that he believes Julie is a waste of money… and her excessive luggage is a waste of space. Julie longs to find a home, love, and a place to belong. Is there any way that can be found in Nebraska? Even though Julie seems to be spoiled rich, she is a likable character. This is a beautiful tale filled with lovely reminders, such as one from Julie: “Anyplace, even a sod house, is a palace if the person you love is there.”

You can find Erica online at: http://onthewritepath.blogspot.com/.

Waiting on a Promise by Becca Whitham:  Karl Reinhardt went to claim land in Oklahoma, and his fiancée Marta Vogel longs to join him. He is in the middle of a land dispute and doesn’t want her to worry or cause him to be distracted. She can tell by his letters that something is awry, so she decides to join him. He is surprised to see her and wants her to leave as soon as possible. What exactly is Karl mixed up in? There is some mystery and danger in this story in which the characters will remind the reader to place their trust in God.. This is Whitham’s debut, and she is off to a solid start.

You can find Becca online at: becca-expressions.blogspot.com.

The Bogus Bride of Creed Creek by KathleenY’Barbo:  Iz McBride returns home to Texas to find a surprise visitor at his house, and she claims to be his wife. Cora Duncan believed Iz was dead, so she set out to claim the land that his father stole from her family. She didn’t realize Iz was alive and engaged to someone else. Cora is willing to share the ranch with him, but he has other plans in mind. While this is a fun and enjoyable read, it feels that things wrap up a bit too quickly and neatly. This is a book that would be even better as a full-length novel. Perhaps these characters will show up again in another of Y’Barbo’s books.

You can find Kathleen online at: http://kathleenybarbo.com/.

This ends my review of this book. I hope you will check it out. You can purchase it at the following link:

http://www.amazon.com/Homestead-Brides-Collection-Pioneering-Couples-ebook/dp/B00RPVRWEY/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1437681248&sr=1-1&keywords=the+homestead+brides+collection

a Rafflecopter giveaway