Of Rags and Riches by 9 Awesome Authors

ABOUT THESE NOVELLA’S

Love Flourishes during America’s Gilded Age
Journey along in nine historical romances with those whose lives are transformed by the opulence, growth, and great changes taking place in America’s Gilded Age. Nine couples meet during these exhilarating times and work to build a future together through fighting for social reform, celebrating new opportunities for leisure activities, taking advantage of economic growth and new inventions, and more. Watch as these romances develop and legacies of faith and love are formed.

Union Pacific Princess by Jennifer Uhlarik – Cheyenne, Dakota Territory, 1867
In the hell-on-wheels rail town of Cheyenne, grieving Boston socialite Dara Forsythe must choose between her estranged father; Connor, a bigwig with the Union Pacific Railroad; and Gage Wells, a former Confederate sharpshooter bent on derailing the Transcontinental Railroad’s progress.

The Right Pitch by Susanne Dietze – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1876
Guarded industrialist Beck Emerson agrees to sponsor his sister’s all-female baseball team. But when pretty pitcher Winnie Myles throws a curveball that makes him team manager, it challenges his plan to play it safe in life and love.

A Gift in Secret by Kathleen Y’Barbo – New Orleans, Louisiana, 1871
May Bolen offers Sam Austin a marriage of convenience. He will get to run the company that drove his into bankruptcy, and she will be free from her father’s rule to travel the world. But when Sam meets May, he knows the offer is too good to be true—or convenient—when hearts become tangled.

For Richer or Poorer by Natalie Monk – Newark, New Jersey, 1885
In order to bring her starving family to New Jersey, Polish immigrant Marcella Lipski must marry wealth. So she takes Americanization lessons from the poor-but-mysterious cart driver teaching her English—and loses her heart in the process.

A House of Secrets by Michelle Griep – St. Paul, MN 1890
Ladies Aide Chairman, Amanda Carston resolves to clean up St. Paul’s ramshackle housing, starting with the worst of the worst: a “haunted” house that’s secretly owned by her beau—a home that’s his only means of helping brothel girls escape from the hands of the city’s most infamous madam.

Win, Place, or Show by Erica Vetsch – New York City, 1890
Beryl Valentine, a socialite with a passion for horses, finds herself falling in love with her riding instructor, a man her parents will never accept. Will she follow her parents’ wishes, or let Gard Kennedy ride away with her heart?

The Fisherman’s Nymph by Jaime Jo Wright – Flambeau River, Wisconsin, 1890
The reclusive daughter of a fly-fisherman guide must read the waters for a wealthy gentleman’s sport and send him back where he belongs before he hooks her heart and takes her away from the river she was born to love.

The Gardener’s Daughter by Anne Love – Bay View, Michigan, 1895
When the nephew of a prestigious Chautauqua resort founder sets his eye on the new library assistant believing her an academy student, it will take more than reciting poetry for love to bloom when he learns she’s the humble gardener’s daughter.

A Tale of Two Hearts by Gabrielle Meyer – Little Falls, Minnesota, June 1899
Reputations and jobs are on the line when lady’s maid, Lucy Taylor, and neighboring footman, Elijah Boyer, compete against each other for a place of honor during the annual community appreciation event hosted by their wealthy employers.

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK 

Of Rags and Riches is a collection of none novellas from nine amazing authors. Set in the mid to late 1800’s, each story is of poverty as well as luxury during this Guilded Age in our history. My review focuses on the first story in this book, Jennifer Uhlarik’s Union Pacific Princess. And as I read each of the other stories, each one is so well written, going a little deeper than a lot if the novellas I have read. This Of Rags and Riches is truly one of the best books in the Barbour Publishers Collections I have read…..

In Union Pacific Princess, Dara is headed to the Dakota Territory to see her father, who is working to get the railroad through the territory. This is definitely not the life she is use to living in Boston, but when Gage injures himself while protecting Dara and her cousin Becca, Dara is determined to help him until his injuries are healed. However, this does not sit well with Gage, since he is in the Dakota Territory to stop the railroad Dara’s dad is trying to build. This is not sounding too good for Gage!

I love Dara. She is sweet and caring, but her father, his attitude did much to hurt Dara even more. But Dara could stand her own very well, and her feisty attitude proved it more than once! Author Jennifer Uhlarik does a really nice job of creating characters and writing them into her story on a way we all can love. I love how she writes so many different angles to this story, then weaves them all together in the end. If you love historical fiction, especially Christian and clean reads, you will love this story. And you will love all of the other Stories in the Of Rags and Riches Romance Collections from Barbour Publishers!

A special thanks to the author Jennifer Uhlarik and JustReadTours for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Erica Vetsch...Best-selling, award-winning author Erica Vetsch loves Jesus, history, romance, and sports. She’s a transplanted Kansan now living in Minnesota, and she married her total opposite and soul mate! When she’s not writing fiction, she’s planning her next trip to a history museum and cheering on her Kansas Jayhawks and New Zealand All Blacks. You can connect with her at her website, http://www.ericavetsch.com where you can read about her books and sign up for her newsletter, and you can find her online at https://www.facebook.com/EricaVetschAuthor/ where she spends way too much time.

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Susanne Dietze began writing love stories in high school, casting her friends in the starring roles. Today, she’s the award-winning author of a dozen new and upcoming historical romances who’s seen her work on the ECPA and Publisher’s Weekly Bestseller Lists for Inspirational Fiction. Married to a pastor and the mom of two, Susanne lives in California and enjoys fancy-schmancy tea parties, the beach, and curling up on the couch with a costume drama and a plate of nachos.  You can visit her online at http://www.susannedietze.com and subscribe to her newsletters at http://eepurl.com/bieza5

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Michelle Griep has been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. She seeks to glorify God in all that she writes—except for that graffiti phase she went through as a teenager. She resides in the frozen tundra of Minnesota, where she teaches history and writing classes for a local high school co-op. An Anglophile at heart, she runs away to England every chance she gets, under the guise of research. Really, though, she’s eating excessive amounts of scones while rambling around a castle. Michelle is a member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) and MCWG (Minnesota Christian Writers Guild). Keep up with her adventures at her blog “Writer off the Leash” or visit michellegriep.com.

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Gabrielle Meyer lives in central Minnesota on the banks of the Mississippi River with her husband and four young children. As an employee of the Minnesota Historical Society, she fell in love with the rich history of her state and enjoys writing fictional stories inspired by real people and events. Gabrielle can be found at http://www.gabriellemeyer.com where she writes about her passion for history, Minnesota, and her faith.

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Natalie Monk is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers and is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency. A country girl from the time she could shimmy under a string of barbed wire, Natalie makes her home in North Mississippi, where she proudly wears the label “preacher’s kid.” She is a homeschool graduate, part-time virtual assistant, and former post hole digger. She loves porch swings, old-fashioned camp meetings, and traveling with her family’s singing group. Her goal in writing, and in living, is to bring glory to her Savior, Jesus Christ. Come chat with her on her website: http://www.nataliemonk.com.

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Jennifer Uhlarik discovered the western genre as a preteen, when she swiped the only “horse” book she found on her older brother’s bookshelf. A new love was born. Across the next ten years, she devoured Louis L’Amour westerns and fell in love with the genre. In college at the University of Tampa, she began penning her own story of the Old West. Armed with a BA in writing, she has won five writing competitions and was a finalist in two others. In addition to writing, she has held jobs as a private business owner, a schoolteacher, a marketing director, and her favorite—a full-time homemaker. Jennifer is active in American Christian Fiction Writers and is a lifetime member of the Florida Writers Association. She lives near Tampa, Florida, with her husband, teenage son, and four fur children.

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Anne Love is a vintage-loving author fueled by prayer, strong black coffee, and characters of generations past–both real and fictional. By day, she’s a Family Nurse Practitioner in northern Indiana, and by night, she writes historical romance flavored with vintage rural charm, inspired by her faith and family roots. Wife of a schoolteacher and mother of two young adults and a daughter-in-law, she fills her free time with genealogy, gardening, mentoring, and music. Anne is a long-time member of American Christian Fiction Writers and cofounder of the group blog http://www.coffeecupsandcamisoles.blogspot.com where she contributes weekly.
Connect with her at http://www.facebook.com/AuthorAnneLove

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Jaime Jo Wright  Daphne du Maurier and Christy Award-Winning author, Jaime Jo Wright resides in the hills of Wisconsin writing suspenseful, mysteries stained with history’s secrets. Jaime lives in dreamland, exists in reality, and invites you to join her adventures at jaimewrightbooks.com

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KATHLEEN Y’BARBO is a Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author with more than one hundred books have sold two million copies of her books in print in the US and abroad. A tenth-generation Texan and certified paralegal, she is a member of the Texas Bar Association Paralegal Division, Texas A&M Association of Former Student and the Texas A&M Women Former Students (Aggie Women), Texas Historical Society, Novelists Inc., and American Christian Fiction Writers. She would also be a member of the Daughters of the American Republic, Daughters of the Republic of Texas and a few others if she would just remember to fill out the paperwork that Great Aunt Mary Beth has sent her more than once.

When she’s not spinning modern day tales about her wacky Southern relatives, Kathleen inserts an ancestor or two into her historical and mystery novels as well. Recent book releases include bestselling The Pirate Bride set in 1700s New Orleans and Galveston, its sequel The Alamo Bride set in 1836 Texas, which feature a few well-placed folks from history and a family tale of adventure on the high seas and on the coast of Texas. She also writes (mostly) relative-free cozy mystery novels for Guideposts Books.

Kathleen and her hero in combat boots husband have their own surprise love story that unfolded on social media a few years back. They make their home just north of Houston, Texas and are the parents and in-laws of a blended family of Texans, Okies, and one very adorable Londoner.

To find out more about Kathleen or connect with her through social media, check out her website at http://www.kathleenybarbo.com

 

The Lone Star Collection by Cathy Marie Hake and Kimberley Comeaux – From Barbour Books

The Lone Star Collection

by Cathy Marie Hake and Kimberley Comeaux

From Barbour Books

ABOUT THIS BOOK

Five Stories of Untamed Love in a Wild State

by Cathy Marie Hake, Kimberley Comeaux

Enjoy two series of romances under one cover from authors Kimberley Comeaux and Cathy Marie Hake. First head to Springton, Texas, where two Texas belles—a pretty outcast and a shy nurse—find rattlesnakes easier to lasso than the hearts of the men they desire. Then join the Gregor brothers from Scotland—doctor, cobbler, lawman—as they settle in the Wild West, seeking wives to help them live out a legacy of faith that their father rooted in them. Watch as God’s love unfolds a grand design into each life.

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

I really loved The Lone Star Collection! The five stories in this book is broken down to two authors. Kimberley Comeaux writes the first two book series, and Cathy Marie Hake finishes with a three book series. Both of these authors offer a good bit of humor in their books, making them more fun and enjoyable to read.

Ms. Comeaux wrote the first series of two novellas, One More Chance, and Courtin’ Patience. These two stories center around two ladies, Rachel Branigan and Patience Primrose, who found love, even though they were not looking for it. And the second three series novellas was written by Cathy Marie Hack, centering around three brothers who walked right into the love of just the right ladies. Both of these series are so wonderfully written and so much fun to read. All of the comical scenes had me laughing throughout the entire book! If you enjoy short stories that are historical, fun and entertaining, you will love this book.

I received this book from Barbour Books to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.

The Lone Star Romance Collection from Barbour Publishers

The Lone Star Romance Collection

Five Stories of Untamed Love in a Wild State

 by Cathy Marie Hake, Kimberley Comeaux

About This Book

Enjoy two series of romances under one cover from authors Kimberley Comeaux and Cathy Marie Hake. First head to Springton, Texas, where two Texas belles—a pretty outcast and a shy nurse—find rattlesnakes easier to lasso than the hearts of the men they desire. Then join the Gregor brothers from Scotland—doctor, cobbler, lawman—as they settle in the Wild West, seeking wives to help them live out a legacy of faith that their father rooted in them. Watch as God’s love unfolds a grand design into each life.

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

This romance book contains five wonderful stories. The first two are by author Kimberley Comeaux. In One More Chance, and Courtin’ Patience, Rachel Branigan and Patience Primrose never expected to find love and marry, but when a preacher and a sheriff comes along, they both change their minds mighty quick. Both of these stories were fun and enjoyable, and I thoroughly enjoyed both Novella’s.

The next three stories are by Cathy Marie Hack.  These stories are prior books of Ms. Hack’s but I hadn’t read them, so I was happy for the chance. These three Novella’s are about three brothers that find love, in a unique way. You will have to read the book to get the full enjoyment of the stories. I love the comical side of Ms. Hack and the way she places these brothers in a quest finding their women. The stories are fun and enjoyable, and funny, with a lot of laughs. If you love historical and funny stories, this is one you need to read!

I love the fact that I can read one of these stories in one sitting! So if you don’t have time for a full blown book to read, this would be an awesome alterative for you. I highly recommend this book to anyone who just loves to read a good clean book!

I received this book from Barbour Books to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.

To find out more about The Lone Star Romance Collection and the author go HERE

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From Barbour Books: British Brides Collection: 9 Romances from the Home of Austen and Dickens by Nine Awesome Authors

From Barbour Books:

British Brides Collection:

9 Romances from the Home of Austen and Dickens by Nine Awesome Authors

by Bonnie Blythe, Pamela Griffin, Kelly Eileen Hake, Gail Gaymer Martin, Tamela Hancock Murray, Jill Stengl

Explore English gardens, London ballrooms, and Scottish castles as nine brides-to-be experience all the legendary drama and epic romance that British literature is known for. Each of the nine short stories will sweep you away to a different era of time spanning over 500 years of history in the British Isles. Penned by an exclusive selection of Christian fiction authors including Kelly Eileen Hake, this collection will become a cherished favorite for fans of faith-based romance.

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

I love these Brides Collections from Barbour Publishing. There are nine stories in The British Brides Collection, from six different authors. Six of the stories were set in England in the 1600 and 1800’s and three of the stories were set in Scotland in 1358, 1748 and 1822.

I thoroughly enjoyed the Scottish stories, they were full of joy and entertainment. Authors Bonnie Blythe, Pamela Griffin, Kelly Eileen Hake, Gail Gaymer Martin, Tamela Hancock Murray, Jill Stengl did a wonderful job of writing these short stories. And I know short stories are different, and it seems like just as you get going on them they are over, but I love reading them. I love the fact that they only take a few hours each, and you can read them in one setting.

If you don’t have the time to read full size books, and if you enjoy romances, you will love these stories set in Scotland. And all of these ladies are awesome authors. Some of these authors were new to me, and others I’ve read many of their books, but all in all, I really enjoyed reading all of their stories in this book! I highly recommend British Brides Collection for you to read.

I received this book from Barbour Books to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.

You can find more information about this book and the six authors HERE.

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From Barbour Books…The Alaskan Brides Collection ** by Mary Connealy, Cathy Marie Hake, Tracie Peterson, Kathleen Y’Barbo

The Alaskan Brides Collection

by Mary Connealy, Cathy Marie Hake, Tracie Peterson, Kathleen Y’Barbo

ABOUT THIS BOOK

Experience five Alaska adventures through the lives of determined women who overcome the many challenges to build their lives in the wilderness. From the gold rush, through a diphtheria epidemic, to the building of the Alcan Highway, readers will enjoy the stubborn fight each woman displays as love comes into her life. Will the women also give up fighting God and let Him lead them through America’s last frontier?

 

 

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

The Alaskan Brides Collection is five historical fiction story written by five four amazing authors. One author writes two of the stories. The stories in this collection the authors, and a blurb about each story are as follows:

Golden Dawn by Cathy Marie Hake…. Living on her twin brother’s Alaska claim, Meredith Smith regularly refuses marriage proposals that give her little hope for being more than a maid and a cook, but it is the neighbor, Ian Rafferty, who offers only Christian friendship who intrigues her most. Will secrets from her past bar her from any chance at a loving marriage?

Golden Days by Mary Connealy……..Amy Simons may be small, but she is tough and strong enough to survive Alaska’s worst—if only she can reach her father, a trapper in the wilderness. Brandon Rafferty hopes to escape the grief of losing his wife, but he didn’t expect to find another needy woman along the way, another woman who will depend on him for strength.

Golden Twilight by Kathleen Y’Barbo……… Feeling exiled to her brothers’ homes in the Alaskan frontier, Fiona Rafferty’s one goal is to get back to civilization to enroll in medical school, not to find a husband as her father wishes. Can she make room in her dreams to include a man with a dark past—a man like Tucker Smith?

A Light the Window by Tracie Peterson………. Julie Eriksson is finally fulfilling her dreams of bringing medical care to the Eskimos of Nome. Persistent marriage proposals from Sam Curtiss make her fearful of having to give up her dream and disappoint her deceased mother. Then an outbreak of diphtheria banishes such troubles from Julie’s mind. The only cure lies hundreds of miles away, across the frozen frontier.

Destiny’s Road by Tracie Peterson……… Beth Hogan loses her husband in World War II and returns to Alaska with her two sons only to find their remote village overrun by soldiers and civilians coming to build the Alcan Highway. Then she finds a second chance at love when she meets August Eriksson.

 

All of these stories are so well written and so wonderful, I wouldn’t even try to pick a favorite! Each story features a young lady with struggles of her own, trying to fulfill her purpose in life. I fell in love with each of the ladies, and I read each of these stories in one setting. And this is the awesome thing about this collection. The stories are pretty short, so if you don’t have time to read a full long book, you will love these. Or if you are like me, and just want something different and quick to read, you will love this took. I just can’t say enough about how awesome these stories are, and I don’t want to tell anything much, because I will give them away! But as you can see, the stories are written by four of the most amazing authors, so the stories have to be just as amazing!!

And I can’t leave out the book cover because it is beautiful!! I love the ragged edges, the cover and inside flaps are so pretty, I have this and others in this series on my coffee table. This is truly a book that you will want others to see in your home, and it makes a really good conversation piece!!

I received this book from the Barbour Books to read and review.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55

 

 

The Brides of Chance …by Kelly Eileen Hake, Tracey V. Bateman, and Cathy Marie Hake

The Brides of Chance

by Kelly Eileen Hake, Tracey V. Bateman, and Cathy Marie Hake

CHECK OUT THESE AUTHORS BY CLICKING ON THEIR NAME

by Kelly Eileen Hake, Cathy Marie Hake, Tracey V. Bateman

ABOUT THIS BOOK

Savor this delightful collection packed with brothers and brides. The Chance brothers enjoy ranch life in California and are not searching for brides – until brides come to them like damsels in distress, pulling at their tender heartstrings. Will any of the rough-around-the-edges brothers stand a chance of barring their hearts from love as they offer a hand of compassion?

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

 This is a really good read. The six stories in this book is about six orphaned brother who all live in California and even work on the same ranch. Each of the three authors write different stories, with Kelly Hake writing three of the stories, Tracey Bateman writing one, and Cathy Hake writing two of the stories. The neat thing was having all six of the stories about the same brothers. I always love continuing stories, and series, so this was a treat for me.

The six stories in this collection are: One Chance in a Million; Second Chance; Taking a Chance; Last Chance; Chance Adventure and Chance of a Lifetime. Instead of going into each of these, a lot of reviews have them already, I want to just tell you that each of these stories are awesome! Even though the book is pretty large with over 570 pages, and that is for six books! And each one is short, so you don’t have to read the entire book at once. And I love the cover and the ragged edges of the pages. The Brides of Chance makes a wonderful coffee table book because it is so beautiful! I highly recommend this book by these three awesome authors!

I received this book from the Barbour Books to read and review.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55