Friday, August 7, 2015

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 fiancĂ©e 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:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

41 comments:

  1. I probably just ruined the rafflecopter thingie because I messed it up. That is so totally me!

    Leslie!!! Thank you for featuring this wonderful collection! I was so stinkin' honored to be part of it, and to work with these wonderful ladies. Happy dancing up here in sunny upstate where the grass is green and the weather is delightful. That hint of coolness... a little early, but I'm okay with that! Thank you!!!!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for stopping by, Ruthy! I'm sure you didn't break anything :)

      You're very welcome. I really enjoyed it. I'm just sorry it took me so long to read it.

      I'm all for the cooler weather! Enjoy you day :)

      Delete
  2. I followed Ruthy's link here today and I'm so glad I did. Thanks for doing this series of reviews, Leslie. One of the things I don't like about being a writer is the struggle to find time to read as many books as I want. I've come to love novellas because I can fit them in without feeling too guilty. ;) This sounds like such a great collection (from some of my favorite authors.)

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    1. Cate,

      I'm glad you followed the link and stopped by!

      You're very welcome. I totally understand.As an editor and reviewer, I don't have much time to read books just for pleasure (which is why it took me a few months to read this book). You're correct. That's a great thing about novellas. They're very easy to fit into your schedule.

      Thanks for visiting, and good luck!

      Delete
  3. Great group of authors! Flamming Starr, and This land is Our Land sound especially good...

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    Replies
    1. It sure is packed with great authors and stories! Those are two I think you'll really enjoy.

      Good luck, and thanks for stopping by my blog :)

      Delete
  4. I'd love to read Mary, Ruth, and Pam's stories! Thanks for sharing your thoughts about each novella!

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    1. Heidi,

      You're very welcome.

      In general, I don't think you can go wrong with any of the novellas ;)

      Good luck, and thanks for visiting my blog!

      Delete
  5. Waiting on a Promise sounds like a good story. :-)

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    1. Melissa,

      It was :) It was her debut story, too!

      Thanks for stopping by my blog, and good luck.

      Delete
    2. Thank you so much. :-) Have a great weekend!

      Delete
  6. These sound just like what I want to read.

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    1. Mary,

      If you enjoy historical fiction, I think you'll love this book.

      Good luck, and thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  7. the novellas contained in The Homestead Brides Collection all sounds wonderful.

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    1. Emma,

      They are :)

      Thanks for visiting my blog, and good luck!

      Delete
  8. A Place on the Plains sounds really good. I loved her last book The Cactus Creek Challenge. The others sound just as good . I would love the chance to read this treasure. Thanks
    Deana

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    1. Deanna,

      I've never read any of her stories before, but I really enjoyed "A Palace on the Plains." This is a wonderful collection overall.

      You're welcome. Good luck, and thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  9. Waiting on a Promise by Becca Whitham It's always fun to discover a new author!

    rw620 AT aol DOT com

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    1. Robin,

      It sure is fun to discover new authors. That's one of the wonderful things with novellas :)

      Thanks for visiting my blog, and good luck!

      Delete
  10. I loved reading your thoughts, Leslie, and am eager to read this collection! Thank you so much for the giveaway opportunity!!

    texaggs2000 at gmail dot com

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    Replies
    1. Britney,

      I'm glad you enjoyed my posts :) You're very welcome!

      Good luck, and thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  11. Sounds like some easy reading and interesting topic

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are quick, fun reads. It's a wonderful collection.

      Good luck! Thanks for visiting my blog.

      Delete
  12. I have been thoroughly enjoying the few bride collections I have been able to find. I look forward to reading this one as well.

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    1. Darlene,

      Thanks for stopping by. Barbour has done a fantastic job with their collections, and this one is no exception :)

      Good luck!

      Delete
  13. All of the novellas look great ! I really like A Palace on the Plains. thank you for an interesting review and giveaway
    mcnuttjem0(AT)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Jackie,

      You're very welcome! Thanks for visiting my blog, and good luck.

      Delete
  14. These sound like great novellas and some of the authors are new to me. Thanks for the giveaway! Karenskrayons(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Karen,

      They are all great stories. I love novella collections, as I'm always find a new-to-me author :)

      Good luck, and thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  15. Waiting on a Promise sounds great.
    Thereadmaster@me.com

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    1. Virginia,

      I think you'll really enjoy it!

      Thanks for visiting my blog, and good luck.

      Delete
  16. Love reading novellas great authors and great stories in one book

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for stopping by. It's a great collection, all right!

      Good luck.

      Delete
  17. Love reading novellas great authors and great stories in one book

    ReplyDelete
  18. All of these novellas sound good, it's a great way to get introduced to new authors or read books by authors you already know and love!! Thank you for the chance to win a copy of this awesome set!

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    1. Trixi,

      Thanks for stopping by!

      I agree. Novellas are a great way to find new authors, as well as enjoy the ones you're already familiar with :)

      You're very welcome, and good luck!

      Delete
  19. I thoroughly enjoy novellas and find that they are a wonderful way to introduce me to authors previously unknown to me. I don't see all the novella titles, but since I'm familiar with Mary Connelley and do thoroughly enjoy her writing, I'll say her's. I'd love to win this.

    What a great idea to spread out the reviews of each novella and highlight each of the authors.

    Vera

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    1. Vera,

      That's the great thing about novellas! Mary is a wonderful writer, and I'm sure you'll enjoy her story, as well as the others.

      Thank you. I felt it was important to highlight each story, instead of doing one generic review for the entire book. I felt the best way to do that was to divide it up over three weeks. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

      Thanks for visiting my blog, and good luck!

      Delete
  20. Palace on the Plains sounds great but they all do! Would love to read them all.

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