Fresh From the Bookshelf: No Way Up by Mary Connealy {Book Review}

When I am looking for fun read set in the western frontier, I enjoy reaching for a book from Christian fiction author Mary Connealy. I had a chance to review No Way Up, the first installment of her newest series The Cimarron Legacy through NetGalley. I hoped that it would be another fun read, set in the wild west of America.

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About No Way Up

No Way Up is the first installment of the latest series The Cimarron Legacy by Mary Connealy. Thanks to a novella (FREE!) we were able to meet the father of this series in The Boden Birthright, which set up the new series. The first book begins about 20 or so years after the novella. We get to meet the Boden family--ranchers living in the frontier New Mexico Territory in 1880. Chance Boden owns a vast land grant that he calls Cimarron Ranch. When

Fresh from the Bookshelf: The Pattern Artist by Nancy Moser {Book Review}

Are you lover of all things sewing related? Do you enjoy historical fiction that gives you a behind the scenes look at people or places in "real" history, with a dash of romance, and a Christian message? If so, you need to try out The Pattern Artist by Nancy Moser. As soon as I saw it on a list for reviews from NetGalley, I jumped on it--not only did the subject matter appeal to me, but I've read and loved the previous Nancy Moser books I've had a chance to read.

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About The Pattern Artist

The Pattern Artist by Nancy Moser follows the life of English housemaid Annie Wood, as she dares to dream for a better future and runs away from the house she's serving in while they are vacationing in New York in 1911. Alone and risking it all, she takes a job in the sewing department of the grand store Macy's. While working, she catches the eye of the Butterick Pattern Company salesman, and with determination and God's leading--ends up opening doors beyond anything she could imagine--discovering that she is a gifted pattern artist of the highest degree. Holding onto her future like a ribbon on a kite, while trying to keep the winds of her past at bay, she enters a creative world that takes her into a life of adventure, purpose, and love.

My Thoughts on the Book

I have always thought about the men and women who designed the "first" patterns and what that must have been like. This book really is perfect for any woman who has attempted to sew for that reason. It's cool to wander into the world of patterns and learning how they gained popularity, what they did to demo them, where the ideas came from, and how they crafted them. It was absolutely fascinating, and convinced me I would not have lasted long doing all that tedious work! LOL.
When it comes to the plot of the story, it really wasn't that believable in my mind. Not the whole housemaid decides to run away in NY, without having any place to live aspect. That would never have worked well during that time period. Especially not in 1911 or New York. Maybe I'm wrong, but everything I've read talks about how DANGEROUS it was for people who tried to do like Annie. 
I really liked the growth that Annie faces through the course of the group, and how she even comes to realize that she's made some wrong decisions. Seeing her wrestle with her conscience and accepting that God is in control, and choosing to rely on Him above all else is very realistic. 

I give The Pattern Artist 3.5★

I think all in all, I would give this book 3 1/2 stars. It's got a great story, but I prefer a bit more meat to keep my interest. I loved the history of the sewing and of the Butterick company and seeing a bit behind the scenes of early 1900's Macy's. If you are wanting a more light read set in a historical era, this is a good option. If you want to learn more about the early 1900's fashion industry, I think you would like this book. It's an also good look at what poor immigrants dealt with. 

The Pattern Artist 

by Nancy Moser

Available on Kindle and Paperback

There are quite a few other great reads from Nancy Moser that I highly recommend--you can check them out here:

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Fresh from the Bookshelf: Delilah: Treacherous Beauty by Angela Hunt {Book Review}

There are some book covers that just grab you. The ones that you reach for and then look at, LONG before you ever read a summary. I recently picked up such a book--the cover grabbed my attention, and after seeing the author (one of my favorites), I didn't need to know anything more to desire to read it. I looked forward to reviewing Delilah: Treacherous Beauty by Angela Hunt and hoped that it would be as good as it looked!

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About Delilah: Treacherous Beauty

Most of us think of one woman, and one woman only when we hear the name Delilah--the infamous woman who brought the great Bible hero Samson down. But what is her story? What led her to that fateful relationship

Fresh from the Bookshelf: From this Moment by Elizabeth Camden {Book Review}

I pink puffy heart books by Elizabeth Camden. She writes the way I would write, if I was an author. Rich with details, history, and relationships. Her books have always offered me a delightful journey into the past and I eagerly await her next release. Earlier this year, I read a prequel novella called Summer of Dreams which was written to set off her latest book From This Moment. It definitely made me eager for more, and I was so happy to have a chance to review Elizabeth Camden's latest novel From This Moment for NetGalley.

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About From This Moment

From This Moment picks up about 4 years after the conclusion of

Fresh from the Bookshelf: Julius Zebra: Rumble with the Romans by Gary Northfield {Children's Book Review}

I don't normally review anything other than books for me, but every now and then I like to dive into the young adult or children's literature to see what titles are being released. I had the chance to review what appeared to be a humorous book for children in Julius Zebra: Rumble with the Romans by Gary Northfield through NetGalley.

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About Julius Zebra: Rumble with the Romans

Take the Roman time period and all that comes with it--especially the gladiators, and throw into it a fast talking zebra who insists he's not a stripey horse, and you have an idea of what Julius Zebra: Rumble with the Romans is all about. Taken from his waterhole on the African savanna, Julius discovers he's on the way to Rome with Milus the lion and Cornelius the warthog. Discovering he's about to go into the gladiator arena, he learns there is only one way he can earn his freedom. He has to win the approval of the Roman crowds. Can these clueless creatures survive in a world where only the meanest and toughest rule?

My Thoughts on the Book

Fresh from the Bookshelf: An Elegant Facade by Kristi Ann Hunter {Book Review}

Historical fiction is my favorite genre. Lately, I prefer the "clean" style of Christian Fiction. Fortunately, this is an area where there are THOUSANDS of historical fiction options. The regency era is a special favorite of mine with the lords and ladies, debutantes, incredible wardrobes, and fancy balls galore. An Elegant Facade by Kristi Ann Hunter put me right in the middle of this delightful setting, and I was happy to review it for NetGalley.

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About An Elegant Facade

An Elegant Facade is book two in the Hawthorne House series by Kristi Ann Hunter. This book picks up before the events of book one have completed, so there is some overlap as Georgina's story is told. Lady Georgina Hawthorne is the younger sister of Lady Miranda Hawthorne from book one (A Noble Masquerade). Georgina is young lady ready to kick off her debut season and has worked tirelessly to be labeled an "incomparable" and is ready snag herself an earl at the first London ball. Everything rides on

Fresh from the Bookshelf: The Beautiful Pretender by Melanie Dickerson {Book Review}

I love fairy tales. I love Christian historical fiction. Needless to say, I LOVE it when someone takes a traditional fairy tale and twists it all around and turns it into Christian fiction work. Melanie Dickerson is a "new to me" author who fell into my radar late last year when I was given The Golden Braid to review. I went--"where have you been all my life?"--and quickly requested the rest of her books for my library. Needless to say when I had the opportunity to review her latest release The Beautiful Pretender thanks to the Fiction Guild and NetGalley, I jumped on it and settled in for what I imagined would be yet another winner.

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About the Book

The Beautiful Pretender is the second book in the A Medieval Fairy Tale series by Melanie Dickerson. Avelina, is a ladies maid to a noble born lady who has been invited to The Margrave of Thornbeck's home in order to cement a marriage alliance. This marriage alliance must be carried out, by order of the king, but to give himself more options, The Margrave of Thornbeck invites TEN ladies to his home to "test" them and see who is the best match for him. Avelina however, is not noble born. She is merely a maidservant sent by the Earl of Plimmwald to stand in for his daughter who has run away. Her goal is to thwart any attempt there might be of earning the margrave's affection so she can return home to her family after doing her duty for the earl. But things never go smoothly, and despite her best attempts at diverting the margrave's attention, he has taken notice of her. Throw in a sinister plot with deadlier consequences than any Avelina might face if found out...and you have the makings of a delightful tale. 

Fresh from the Bookshelf: A Daring Sacrifice by Jody Hedlund {Book Review}

I love the story of Robin Hood. I also love stories that play with traditional tales to give them new life. A Daring Sacrifice by Jody Hedlund does just that--putting the role of Robin Hood, on a young maiden named Juliana, but known throughout the forest as the Cloaked Bandit!

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*****

About the Book

A Daring Sacrifice by Jody Hedlund is actually book two in a series called An Uncertain Choice. The series is set in the medieval times of knights and ladies, castles and kings! In this book, we are introduced to The Cloaked Bandit--a sly light-fingered daring chap who goes out of his way to rob the rich in order to take care of the poor. Living in the forest with a group of compatriots, the Cloaked Bandit has been able to keep his true identity a secret. Until he robs Collin Goodrich...who beats him at his own game, and Collin discovers that the Cloaked Bandit is a...she! And not just any she...she's Juliana Wessex--a neighbor (And titled!) girl from his childhood, who is supposed to be dead!

What follows next is an investigation by Collin into what has happened in Juliana's life that has lead her to this extreme method of saving her friends. Will she trust him with her secrets? Will she ever be able to reveal to the world that she's alive and claim her land and home that was stolen from her? Is there a future for this unlikely pair?

My Thoughts

It's a fun story, but very idealistic. The lead character Juliana is supposed to be 17, but she speaks much to grown up. Even if she is an educated "lady". And the dialogue isn't very 1390ish medieval times. But it's fun going back and forth between Collin and Juliana's narratives. And the plot does get heavier as the book continues as it deals with things like torture, burning on a stake and such. This is a young adult lit book--and it does fall in the Christian genre as well. There are discussion questions included in the back of the book to talk about the Christian undertones.

I did like the bold, courageous, self-sacrificing role they gave Juliana. She was a bold female character who was a help mate to Collin, supporting him. I like that in a literary character.

Although the book is #2 in a series, I never felt that there was a need to have read book #1, as the characters or references to that book are very few and far between. This book appears to stand on it's own well.

Oh, and I love the cover art!

I give A Daring Sacrifice a solid average rating. It was good--but I've read many many other young adult lit books in this genre which are more meaty and hold my attention better. That being said, I am still going to be seeking out book #1 in this series An Uncertain Choice so that I can spend some more time learning about Collin's history. I would recommend it to any who enjoy a good young adult lit adventure story where the characters are moral and still exciting!

A Daring Sacrifice

by Jody Hedlund

ISBN# 9780310749370

Available for Kindle and Paperback

Fresh from the Bookshelf: Flirtation Walk by Siri Mitchell {Book Review}

By now, if you are a regular reader of my blog, you know I have a thing for historical romance. You might also know that I have a thing for any novels surrounding one of the wars, or about military history. Flirtation Walk is the latest book by best selling inspirational fiction author Siri Mitchell, and it looked to be just the kind of novel I enjoyed.

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About the Book

Flirtation Walk by Siri Mitchell is an inspirational historical romance set during the era of the early West Point military academy. It follows the story of Lucinda and Seth. Lucinda is the daughter of a swindler. A con-mans daughter. And to make it even worse, she's HELPED him swindle people out of money. And she's tired of it. She wants a new life. She wants a husband and respectability. So she shows up alone and desperate on the door step of her aunt's house in West Point, NY ready to begin a new chapter in her life. She quickly sets her sight on one of her uncle's star pupils at West Point Military academy. 

Seth is a rising star at the military academy with one goal...graduate last! After a letter from his younger sister confessing that she lost everything in a swindle, he's determined to get transferred to the western outpost where she lives--something that only happens to the cadets who flunk!

Then Seth meets Lucinda and everything changes. Will she be willing to love someone determined to fail? Will he still love her after he finds out her past--and her possible connection to his sister's trouble?

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed the peek at what the early stages of West Point were like. I think the history of the military academy is interesting especially since so many of our great generals got their start there. This book actually mentions a few--especially General Lee in this book.

I enjoyed watching Lucinda mature and change throughout the book and get to the point where she was willing to sacrifice everything she called her own in order to be honest and true. Her father was a piece of work for sure! Seth was quite hilarious in his hi-jinks to get demerits--especially since it went so against his nature.

I thought the book was well done, though not quite the style of some of Siri Mitchell's other books. It was actually surprised for I didn't enjoy this one as much as most of her other novels. I guess that maybe the characters weren't as...filled out? I can't quite put my finger on it.

Out of the books I have read recently, this one isn't as high. I just didn't have as much as a "wow! That was a great book!" feeling. It was just an average good book. Would I still recommend it? Of course. It wasn't bad and I know that I'm more picky than some.

Flirtation Walk

by Siri Mitchell

ISBN # 978-0764210389

Available as Kindle and Paperback

Fresh from the Bookshelf: Playing the Part by Jen Turano {Book Review}

When I want to read a lighthearted comedy, I will always reach for a Jen Turano book. I have read (and reviewed) several books in her inspirational fiction Ladies of Distinction Series, and have been thrilled to meet the ladies in her next series A Class of Their Own. Needless to say, when I had the chance to pick Playing the Part (which is book #3 in this series) review, I was tickled and hoped that it would continue to be the same entertaining adventure!

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Please see my disclosure policy for full details and thank you for your support!

About the Book

Playing the Part is book #3 in the A Class of Their Own series by Jen Turano. This book follows the life of Lucetta Plum, stage actress extraordinaire, and picks up right where book #2 in the series ends. A Class of Their Own series follows the lives of three roommates and bosom friends Millie, Harriet, and Lucetta through their adventures in life and romance. At the end of book #2, we found Millie and Harriet both having made successful love matches, with Lucetta happily cheering her friends success. But now it's time for Lucetta's story! 

Fresh from the Bookshelf: Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly {Book Review}

I'm a sucker for WW2 fiction. That's an area that I can never read enough because I just love that era. I picked Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly to review because it claims to be inspired by a real life WW2 heroine, which adds that much more to its appeal.

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About the Book

Lilac Girls is the debut novel by Martha Hall Kelly, and has rapidly become a New York Bestseller. Inspired by a real life WW2 heroine's story, the novel follows the stories of three young women Caroline (a NY socialiate working for the French consoulate ), Kasia (a Polish teenager who is a courier for the resistance), and Herta (an ambitious young female German doctor). As things explode with the invasion of Poland, the girls are headed for a collision course that will bring their lives together when Kasia is sent to Ravensbruck-the notorious

Fresh From the Bookshelf: Until the Dawn by Elizabeth Camden {Book Review}

I think the reason I like historical fiction so much, is that it lets me explore eras of history through a window. I get to be "there" and to get a taste of what it might have been like. I have always been fascinated by the past, which is why history is my most favorite subject and my preferred genre when it comes to books. Elizabeth Camden is one of the best authors when it comes to historical fiction, and I am always eager to dive into her next book. Her latest book Until the Dawn appealed to me with its setting (Hudson River Valley), and the era--early 1900's. I hoped that it would be yet another hit!

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About the Book

The main characters for this story are Sophie van Riijn and Quentin Vandermark and it's set in early 1900's in the Hudson River Valley. Sophie is a young lady from the town who has been using the impressive and uninhabited Vandermark mansion for
her secret rooftop weather station for the just beginning Weather Bureau. She has been using it for quite awhile, when the owners

Fresh from the Bookshelf: The Painter's Daughter by Julie Klassen {Book Review}

I have several authors that I actively seek out at the library and bookstore. Julie Klassen is one of those authors. I discovered her by chance a couple years ago and fell in love immediately with her style. Naturally, it helps that she also writes in my favorite genre--inspirational historical fiction. When I had the chance to review her latest book The Painter's Daughter (released Dec 2015) for NetGalley, I naturally pounced on it and was eager to see if it was at the same level of awesome as the previous books I loved so well.

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Julie Klassen struck gold again with this latest book, The Painter's Daughter. I love how she is willing to go places other authors might not go--especially in the christian books--like

Fresh from the Bookshelf: Staircase to the Moon by Elizabeth Haran {Book Review}

By now, most of my regular readers know that I am a sucker for a good historical fiction book. Westerns and war era novels are my most favorite. Oh, and ones that take place somewhere that ISN'T America. Needless to say when I discovered a soon to be released e-book Staircase to the Moon by Elizabeth Harden (new author to me!) that takes place in Australia, on an isolated station in Kimberly during the pre-WW1 years, I knew I needed to check it out! I only hoped it would live up to my standards of a great historical fiction book!

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About the Book

Perth, Australia 1913 Emily is a seamstress working with her father and three brothers in a tailor shop. Emily has a problem. She has no life. Living with a strict father and three overbearing brothers has ruined any chance she has of getting to do what SHE wants to do. She is chomping at the bit. Dying to break free, but resolutely sure she's never going to be able to. But one day her brothers inform her that they have arranged a marriage for her--to a man more than twice her age! This is the straw that breaks the camels back and she snaps, secretly making a run for it to a cattle station far away in Kimberly to work as a private seamstress for a large wealthy ranch family that welcomes her with open arms.
Surrounded by breathtaking scenery, freedom likes she's never known, and new friends who shower her with meaningful friendships and companionship, Emily is finally happy. But suddenly war breaks out in Europe. Will everything she has come to love come crashing down around her? Or will she be able to beat the odds and find more happiness than she could have ever dreamed?

My Thoughts About the Book

I didn't know what to expect with Staircase to the Moon, as the author was new to me. I was intrigued by the summary and that it takes place in Australia pre-WW1. As I started the book, I was drawn rapidly into the story and life of Emily. What a childhood she must have had with her three brothers and father watching every move she made. I laughed at the part where she shares the moment her brothers "discover" that she's a developing girl. How simply embarrassing it would have been for everyone!
I enjoyed watching Emily's character develop as she pulls herself up by the bootstraps and decides to take the running of her life into her own hands. I can't imagine setting out the way she did during that time into the unknown isolated wilds of Kimberly Australia! 
The whole time I was reading this book, I was bringing to mind the movie Australia as it too takes place on an isolated ranch with a city girl trying to help make ends meet against the odds.
I totally called the ending, but I shed tears during that last chapter. I haven't cried for a book in forever! 
There are 2 places where there is a curse word (I think just two), but no violence and no sex (though one of Emily's dates puts his hand on her thigh at dinner...she dumped her soup on him).
I enjoyed having the tie-in of the war and "living" the war through the letters that were being written by the family members overseas to those back in Australia on the ranch. I felt the homelife was portrayed pretty real, even down to the despair of the mother as she receives those dreaded war telegrams that changed so many peoples' lives in an instant during wartimes.
I also think the mentions of the racism that there was during that time against the Aboriginal and Chinese peoples gave another level of depth to the story too.
Oh, as a side, the interaction between the Chinese man Hop-Sing and Emily had me grinning and chuckling several times. I loved how they had a love/hate relationship throughout the book that morphed and changed as they both grew to know each other better. What a character that Hop Sing was!

This was a great book and I really really liked it! I mean, it's not every day that I am brought to tears! I will definitely be seeking out more books by Elizabeth Haran and will be recommending this one to my friends and fellow readers.

Staircase to the Moon
by Elizabeth Haran
Available exclusively in eBook form

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I am sorry that this book is not available in print form, for it would be a great asset for any library. I wasn't sure how I would like it, but it exceeded my expectations and was a great read! I can't wait to snag some of the authors other books, and I suggest you give them a try too!

Fresh from the Bookshelf: Mermaid Moon by Colleen Coble {Book Review}

I don't usually go for contemporary settings in the novels that I read. I adore history, so regularly reach for novels of the days past. There is one author, however, that gets me out of my historical novel box. Colleen Coble has written several excellent novels in the Inspirational Fiction genre, and her series Lonestar Series and Hope Beach Series are books that I thoroughly enjoyed! I absolutely enjoyed the first book of her newest series the Sunset Cove series, The Inn at Ocean's Edge with it's mystery plot (another thing out of the box for me) and have been eagerly awaiting book two Mermaid Moon. I was excited to have a chance to review it for NetGalley and the Fiction Guild and dove right in as soon as it arrived---would it be as good as the first book in the series?

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About the Book

We were introduced to the beauty of Sunset Cove, Maine in the first book The Inn at Ocean's Edge. This book picks up after the second book. Several of the first book's characters show up and play a part in this novel, but the focus of the story is on Mallory Davis and Kevin O'Connor.

Mallory and Kevin are childhood sweethearts who had a falling out many years earlier, which led to Mallory leaving their hometown and starting a new life. But she's back after her dad mysteriously dies on his mail boat route. Though she hasn't spoken to him in years, the first person she calls for help is Kevin, who is now a law officer and game warden, even though they haven't spoken since she left town. 

Mallory is beginning to receive threats on her own life and that of her teenage daughter--somewhere in all of this is a tangled web of truth and lies with Mallory and Kevin frantically searching to uncover the reasons behind the supposed murder. Through the middle of it all, they are also forced to examine what really happened to their relationship so many years ago...can something so broken ever be healed?

My Thoughts

Colleen Coble has not let me down! Once again, I was drawn into the complexity of the story as I raced to solve the mystery before the characters do. I enjoyed hearing from past characters and seeing the roles they played in this new book. I enjoyed the parts that talked about the handmade jewelry that Mallory made and the descriptions of the beautiful stones. I even looked up what tourmaline looked like so that I could envision her creations better. I would love to see one of her pieces in "real life" as I adore sea glass!

Both of the main characters were given a good amount of background text, so I felt I understood them and the reasons behind the choices they made. Sometimes authors let their characters get away from them, but not Ms. Coble! I really enjoyed the additional character of Sadie, Kevin's blind daughter. She really allows the reader to see a more intimate side of Kevin as he interacts with her and her special needs.

The mystery in the story was well done. Although I solved part of it, I was still surprised when the lead perpetrator was finally revealed. The one mystery I had solved a long time before it was revealed in the book was the answer to who Mallory's birth mother was. I had that one pegged pretty early and was tickled to see I was right. 

Another aspect of Ms. Coble's books that I like, is that the plot is like an onion. You keep peeling back a layer here and a layer there and you go deeper and deeper into the story. Just when you think you have it figured out, she peels another layer and gives you more. I love stories like that, don't you?

This book gets a definite 4 1/2 out of 5 stars and I can say it is one of the best books I've read the last few months. I don't usually go for mysteries or contemporary settings, but I am definitely wiling to go outside the box for another Colleen Coble book! 

If you like a good mystery this will be a treat for you! If you also like the added benefit of the mystery being an inspirational fiction, you really should give the Sunset Cove series a try! Do you need to start with The Inn at Ocean's Edge? No not really, but since some of the characters do carry over, and because it's a great book too, why not start at the beginning?

Here are some other great books from Colleen Coble!

Mermaid Moon (Sunset Cover Series #2)

by Colleen Coble

ISBN#978-1401690281

Available in Paperback and Kindle

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Mermaid Moon was an excellent book! I now can't wait for book 3 in the series Twilight at Blueberry Barrens which comes out Fall 2016. Doesn't that title just sound delightful? I hope you will check out Colleen Coble as an author if you haven't already--all of her books are just exceptional!

Fresh from the Bookshelf~ With This Ring?: A Novella Collection {Book Review}

I have mentioned in other posts about my love for historical fiction. I just love being transported back in time with the stories I read, so that I can experience eras past from the safety and comfort of my couch! I was able to enjoy doing this again with my latest book for review from NetGalley With This Ring?, a novella collection by four of the top inspirational fiction authors on the market today.

The links on this blog and in the posts may be affiliate links.  Please see my disclosure policy for full details and thank you for your support!

About the Book

With This Ring? (released January 5, 2016) is a novella collection by popular christian historical fiction authors Karen Witemeyer, Mary Connealy, Regina Jennings, and Melissa Jagears. You might recognize a few of those authors, as they regularly appear in my review list--I actually just reviewed another book by Regina Jennings last week--so you know they are some of my favorite. With This Ring? is a collection of four short stories introducing you to four couples who have marriage proposals that go awry, set in the late 1800's in the wild west. From bad weather, to dangerous men, to just bad decisions, these couples are forced to confront their latent feelings for each other...for better or worse!

The Husband Maneuver by Karen Witemeyer

It was joy to journey back to a few characters from the book A Worthy Pursuit in this novella. This story follows Marietta Hawkins and Daniel Barrett (the former bounty hunter partner of Stone Hammond, the lead character in A Worthy Pursuit). Marietta Hawkins adores Daniel Barrett--partially because of the "Dead-Eye Dan" dime novels loosely based on his life story as a bounty hunter, but mostly because of her experiences interacting with him as the foreman of her father's ranch. She just can't seem to get him to notice her as anything other than his boss' daughter.

Daniel Barrett is in love with Marietta Hawkins, but because she's his boss' daughter, he refuses to show any interest in her--and even decides he needs to resign as foreman so that he can have a chance with her. 

Everything comes to a head when instead of going on a cattle drive, Daniel stays behind at the ranch to prepare for his move to his new property--not knowing that Marietta caught wind of his plans and secretly decided to sneak back home, instead of going to be with her Aunt for the two week cattle drive. Now both of them are alone on the ranch and will be forced to deal with the feelings they have for each other...whether they like it or not.

Her Dearly Unintended by Regina Jennings

Katie Ellen Watson is determined to prove to her parents that she is capable of taking care of things while they are away....problem is that she's got a cow and calf refusing to cross a submerged bridge over a rapidly rising torrent of a creek. She just about gets them across when things go a bit unexpected---thankfully Josiah Huckabee arrives to check on her. Problem is, she really can't quite stand him--and now all of a sudden, he's stuck on her farm thanks to the only bridge on her farm washing out! 

Secretly they both care for each other, and are forced to address these feelings when a menacing stranger appears. Deciding that pretending to be newlyweds is the best way to save their reputations, they are forced to consider whether pretending to be in love will turn into the real thing.

Runaway Bride by Mary Connealy

Mary Connealy's two popular series The Kincaid Brides and Trouble In Texas collide in this delightful novella! Runaway Bride follows Big John Conroy--the fifth man (and only one not married) of the band of friends called The Regulators of the Trouble in Texas Series--as he attempts to help Carrie Halsey from a dangerous man intent on making her his wife.

Hired by his friend's sister's husband's wife Audra (LOL!) to bring her sister Callie to her up in Colorado, he is ill prepared for the trouble he'll be dealing with...the LOVE kind, and as an always on the move Texas Ranger, he's sure that's the worst kind of trouble he can have. Carrie and her brother just want to get away and go to their sister in Colorado before Carrie is captured and forced into marriage, so they willingly and eagerly follow Big John, no matter what he says. Everything comes to a head when he takes them to safety in Broken Wheel, Texas where the rest of the Regulators are--and they are forced to confront their feelings for each other. 

Engaging the Competition by Melissa Jagears

Harrison Gray and tomboy Charlotte Andrews have been rivals for years. He's never forgiven her for outshooting him in front of their friends, with his own gun back when they were just kids. Now they are back in the same town as adults--she as a ranch owner and he as the local schoolteacher. With Charlotte spoken for by someone else (someone Harrison is SURE is wrong for her), it seems like their differences will never be settled. But when Charlotte breaks Harrison's glasses--without which he's nearly blind--she must help with his teaching position. Will working together force these former adversaries to reconsider everything?

My Thoughts On the Book

Unlike some novellas (including one I recently reviewed), this collection has COMPLETE stories. Even though they are shorter than the normal novel, they don't feel extremely rushed. I think part of that is due to a couple of them being continuations of other series, so not as much back story is needed. I enjoyed all of them, though Runaway Bride by Mary Connealy was my favorite--mostly because it was a perfect blending and conclusion to two of her series which I have read (and reviewed!). I think one of my favorite parts in the story was where the lead character Big John was reflecting on his four friends and in his reflection, the author included the actual book titles to each of his friend's stories, as part of the dialogue. That is something only someone who has read the Trouble in Texas series would even have caught. Which I obviously did! LOL! 

The one I liked the least and felt needed the most help, was probably Her Dearly Unintended--just because I felt like this one NEEDED more backstory as to why the characters thought what they did about themselves. I felt like I should have read an earlier book or something to meet these characters. I did like the obvious reference to Katie Ellen having a touch of OCD--something that wouldn't have necessarily been "diagnosed" during that time period.

I think that the only novella that really needed the reader (me) to be already familiar with the background of the characters was the novella by Mary Connealy. If you aren't already familiar with her previous two series, you might be a bit lost as to the back story of the lead character Big John and his friends. But I think that's the only one that doesn't really stand on its own. I do think, however, you can not be familiar with the story, and still enjoy it. I just think you would enjoy it MORE if you were knowledgeable of the Kincaid Brides and Trouble in Texas series.

I give this book a solid 4 stars because it was well done, I enjoyed the stories, and is better than most novella collections. I am sure that major part of that is due to the high caliber of writing and experience of each of these four authors. If you are familiar with these authors' books, especially the two series by Mary Connealy that I mentioned above, you will want to grab With This Ring? and read it for yourself!

With This Ring?: A Novella Collection of Proposals Gone Awry

By Karen Witemeyer, Mary Connealy, Regina Jennings, and Melissa Jagears

ISBN #: 978-0764217722

Available in Paperback and Kindle

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I have been thoroughly enjoying the latest pile of books that I have been given to review, especially because so many of my favorite authors are included! With This Ring? was a fun and easy read, and I especially loved that it tied up two of Mary Connealy's series for me. I urge you to visit your local library and request it for yourself--or any other books by these four delightful authors! 

Fresh from the Bookshelf: At Love's Bidding by Regina Jennings {Book Review}

Regina Jennings is one of my favorite authors with her witty and fun novels set in the untamed wild west of the 1800's. I have yet to read one I didn't like, and I have been eyeballing her latest book At Love's Bidding, which was released December 1,2015, since I first heard about it. I was delighted to have a chance to review the book this month, and share my thoughts on this charming book with you!

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About the Book

At Love's Bidding is the second book in the Ozark Mountain Romance series by Regina Jennings. Book 1 (A Most Inconvenient Marriage) introduced us to several of the characters that pop up again in At Love's Bidding--but the main focus in on wallflower Miranda Wimplegate and ruggedly handsome Wyatt Ballentine. 

Miranda's family lives in Boston in the late 1800's where they own an up and coming auction house that deals in selling a wide range of valuable products for their elite clientele. When a powerful family's prize painting is accidentally auctioned off to a mysterious buyer, the family is racing to rectify their mistake. After tracing the painting to the Missouri Ozarks, Miranda's grandfather impulsively decides to purchase an auction house in Pine Gap and check it out while he simultaneously searches for the lost painting. Deciding that Miranda is the best one to travel and take care of her grandfather, the family sends them off to retrieve the painting and expand their business!

Not used to being responsible for making decisions, Miranda is thrust into the forefront of the scene when her grandfather begins to exhibit signs of memory loss and dementia on their trip. Throw in the fact that the missing painting is nowhere to be found AND that the auction house they purchased sells....livestock and not the antiques they expected, she's up to her eyeballs in trouble! Thankfully, she has Wyatt Ballentine, the auctioneer and manager of the Pine Gap auction house to help her out. Now, if only she can find that painting without telling him she's looking for it (because he might be secretly storing it), and if she can keep her grandfather from the local con man, and out of jail...Little does she know that she's looking for the painting in the wrong place, that it has a connection to Wyatt Ballentine, and that love is going to find her in this backwoods small-town worlds away from all she knows in Boston. 

My Thoughts on the Book

This was EXACTLY what I was expecting from Regina Jennings. She always delivers a witty and fun romance, with a fun plot and clever characters. I loved the idea of the crazy cousin who is into phrenology, which was so big during that time period. I loved how Miranda's love for her grandfather, helps her stay strong, even when she's at the most embarrassed. It was fun to read about the shock that Miranda and her grandfather faced when they realized their auction house mistake. She was a strong character who discovered herself throughout the book. 

I also appreciated having Wyatt's background revealed over the course of the book, instead of all at once. It was such a surprise to learn his background and really added a great element to the story. 

I loved the events surrounding the Lady Godiva carved stump. Made me grin while I was reading. It was a good touch to the book. 

It was also nice to "run into" the Calhoun's from the first book! I have a feeling I know who the next book is going to be about, and if so, it's sure to be a great one!

I absolutely give At Love's Bidding a solid four stars. It was a fun read, and I didn't really want to stop and found myself reading just "one more chapter" to see what happened to Miranda and Wyatt. I do not think that you need to read book #1 in this series to enjoy this one--it would just give you a good background on a few characters. This is an inspirational fiction book, but it's not in there more than just as the characters meditating on their Christianity and God's plan for their lives. 

At Love's Bidding (Ozark Mountain Romance #2)

by Regina Jennings

ISBN # 978-0764211416

Available in Paperback and Kindle

I definitely plan on recommending this book to my friends, and encourage you to visit your library and experience for yourself the enjoyable novels by Regina Jennings.

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It was lovely to have another fun read from Regina Jennings. I look forward to making sure that our library grabs this next book to add to their collection! It's always fun to find another great author to read, so if you haven't experienced Regina Jennings yet, make sure you grab one of her books soon!