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

Friday Reads with Ruth Logan Herne, Pam Hillman, and DiAnn Mills

This is the second week where I'll be sharing the novellas contained in The Homestead Brides Collection. There are nine stories, and I will be sharing my review of three of them each time.

In case you didn't read my last post, 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!

Prairie Promises by Ruth Logan Herne: Jack O Donnell is heading to Nebraska to bring his mother Mary back to civilization in Philadelphia. Mary feels that her place is the homestead she began with her late husband. She has taken pregnant widow and neighbor Bridget Murphy under her wing, and they depend on each other. He questions how two women can possibly keep two farms afloat. Bridgette is rumored to be crazy. Is she all that she appears? Mary and Bridget are strong, capable women … even without a man. Herne’s characters remind the reader about the importance of always trusting God. Jack’s father left him with a wise reminder: “Pay heed to the land and the good Lord, son, and everything will fall into place.”

You can Ruth online at http://www.ruthloganherne.com/index.html.

This Land is Our Land by Pam Hillman:  Mollie Jameson is headed to Nebraska, along with her siblings and grandfather, to claim her family’s land so they will not be homeless. Along the way, in the middle of a storm, they encounter Lasso McCall who helps them find shelter. As her parents are dead, and they only have six days to reach Nebraska, Molly worries that they may not succeed. Can Lasso help them? Are they able to trust him with all they have left? Strong family bonds are evident, and the relationship develops at a realistic pace, which is tricky in a novella. The characters remind the reader that God’s plans are always best.

You can find Pam online at http://www.pamhillman.com/.

Flaming Starr by DiAnn Mills: Starr Matthews wins a Texas Homestead in a card game. Wanting to change her life, she heads out to lay claim. When she arrives, however, she discovers that the land is already claimed by widower and single father Aaron Conrad. He has no plans for another woman in his life. When it appears that he may have legal claim to the property, Starr worries that she may need to return to her old way of life. Starr’s faith journey is inspiring, as is the reminder that God always works for our good. Two wonderful reminders are: “…life is a progression of always starting over.” and that it is important to treat others as we want to be treated.

You can find DiAnn online at http://www.diannmills.com/.

You can purchase the book at the following Amazon 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

Friday Reads with Mary Connealy, Darlene Franklin, and Carla Olson Gade

Over the next few weeks, I am going to be sharing the novellas contained in The Homestead Brides Collection. There are nine stories, and I will be sharing my review of three of them each time.

This book contains nine novellas by eight veteran authors (Mary Connealy, Darlene Franklin, Carla Olson Gade, Ruth Logan Herne, Pam Hillman, DiAnn Mills, Erica Vetsch, and Kathleen Y’Barbo) and one newbie (Becca Whitham).  These stories provide the perfect quick read for your day. While they all focus on the pioneering folks of the 1800s, each story contains its own cast of characters on a quest to secure land and create a bright future.  This collection is a nice way for readers to be introduced to a wide variety of authors and possibly find some new favorites!

Homestead on the Range by Mary Connealy:  Widow Elle Winter and widower Colin Samuelson meet shortly after his arrival on the Nebraska prairie. There seems to be an immediate connection, until he learns that between the two of them, they have seven children. He can barely handle his own three. He does agree to friendship. The connection grows when a tornado hits the area. In addition to dealing with nature, they must deal with the antics of their children. Are they in favor of the union? This tale is a combination of “The Brady Bunch” and “Little House on the Prairie.” Connealy’s wit is evident, even as the characters cling to God in life’s storms. “Martha” leaves the readers with a good reminder: “Love always fits. Family always fits.”

You can find Mary online at www.maryconnealy.com.

Priceless Pearl by Darlene Franklin: Rick Eady grew up poor, and America Barton grew up rich. They meet each other during the Oklahoma Land Rush. The Bartons are clearly out of their element, and Rick offers to help. In exchange for helping them farm, America helps him learn to read. Rick is a hard-working man with a strong faith. Can her parents see that those qualities are more important than money? While some scenes drag at times, overall, this is a sweet romance. The perils at that time are evident, and it is a reminder that many people who moved there were ill-equipped to face things without God’s help.

Proving Up by Carla Olson Gade: Nils Svensson longs for his wife to see the timber business that he is building. He is interested in acquiring the neighboring land. He learns that Elsa Lindstrom has claim to it, which thwarts his dreams. Is his only interest in her land? This story is interesting in the fact that it educates the reader about the Timber Culture Act of 1873 and Swedish immigrants. The tale outlines the misunderstandings and surprises that many faced in this new world.

You can find Carla online at carlagade.com/.

You can purchase the book at the following Amazon 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