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16 June 2016

Noela reviews LONE STAR LOVE COLLECTION by 5 talented Authors!

Lone Star Love
LONE STAR LOVE - 5 Historical Romances set in the Lone Star State
May 18, 2016

Reviewed by Noela Nancarrow 
5 Stars~ *****

Allow me to introduce you to 5 stories set deep in the heart of the Lone Star State, Texas. Each tale is a unique Texas treat on its own, highlighting the great state and bringing you adventure in spades as history comes to life. Meet up with some rugged cowboys, the local sheriff and the famed Rangers, loads of friendly folk and some downright inhospitable ones. Enjoy endearing romances, splashes of suspense, and the message of God’s immeasurable love weaved throughout as these talented authors share their outstanding stories!

SIGNED, SEALED, AND DELIGHTED by Crystal Barnes (Prequel Novella - Marriage & Mayhem)
 Joe (Joseph Mathews) might be honoring Sarah’s father’s dying request by marrying her in order to protect and care for her, but Sarah knows from her friends’ experience that husbands don’t always remain honorable.  So she simply has Joe sign away his husbandly rights before the vows are exchanged. Joe thinks he can do this…until he develops feeling for Sarah! This engaging story was an absolute joy to read, and reminds us that God is much bigger than our circumstances. A delightful new-to-me author that I’m extremely eager to read more from!

DIAMOND DUO by Marcia Gruver (Novel - August 15, 2009)
Wooded landscapes with wagon-rutted roads throughout the small community of Jefferson, along with the chilled waters of the murky bayou fringed by groves and towering oaks—combine to create a delightfully atmospheric setting for a captivating tale of drama, suspense, and romance!

The lives of a vibrant assortment of endearing characters entwine as they forge new friendships and deepen old. Bertha Biddie is sure Thad (Thaddeus Bloom) shares an unspoken love for her, leaving Bertha frustrated and impulsive enough to seek the advice of a beautiful but mysterious newcomer to the town. When she gets acquainted with this tormented visitor, it just might be that Bertha can offer the most help. Yet, it may come at a steep price for Bertha. As for Thad, he is torn between his father’s life-long college expectations and his love for the bare-foot loving Bertha. How can he possibly choose? Their friends Henry and Sarah, struggle with terrifying bigotry and the perilous price of pride. Together, these and other wonderful and unique characters, all experience a barrel of happiness, heartbreak, and healing, on the bumpy Texas roads of personal and spiritual growth.

Marcia Gruver’s articulate use of period appropriate dialogue and expressions, combined with vivid scenes flawlessly painted with words, and extensive historical research—delivers a memorable and realistic journey back to 1877. An outstanding story!

UNEXPECTED BLESSINGS by Vicki McDonough (2006 Novella - Lone Star Christmas Collection)
This is an enchanting small-town tale that reflects on how the changes in our lives can be massive when we challenge our pre-conceived ideas and beliefs in the face of reality and God’s truth.

Nanny to young Mark and Molly for the past couple years, Anna Campbell has come to love them as her own. But when they tragically lose their parents, Anna has to deliver them to their Uncle Erik in the small town of Cut Corners, Texas. What is Anna to do when Erik refuses the children, claiming his brother died eight years ago? Erik is charmed by Anna and the children but he refuses to be swindled. They’re at a standstill and Anna’s life is falling apart in the meantime!

Reading this story was an ‘unexpected blessing’ for me, for I was reminded that God’s own purposes in His perfect timing—can sometimes happen when our plans don’t pan out as expected. Anna’s story is a charming and heart-warming tale that demonstrates just that. A beautiful story!

LAST GROOM IN TOWN by Janice Thompson – (2015 Novel - Deep in the Heart of Texas, Book 3)
Set within the magnificent Texas Panhandle with its glorious wide-open spaces, grazing cattle, kaleidoscopic sunsets, and stars that seem within reach—is a cozy, romantic comedy that roped me in from the beginning and warmed me like the Texas sun.

Having recently lost both parents, Anne must secure a future for herself and her two young sisters. On the way to Dallas to live with a well-off but crotchety Uncle, a broken rail-road track has Anne, Emily and Kate, making an unexpected detour into Groom, Texas. Has this interruption derailed her plans, or could it be God’s detour? It seems too much to bear for the threesome when they fall in love with family of O’Farrell’s Honor ranch but will soon be back on board the train. Is there a way for them to stay in the place of their dreams?

Janice Thompson has surely written some of the most splendid characters I’ve ever had the pleasure to befriend. The benevolent and effervescent Maggie was a treat, but the highlight was pint-sized Emily, the little author in the making who had me in stitches with her wild imagination which knew neither bounds, nor boundaries. The sweet romance between Anna and Jake O’Farrell gave me plenty of sighs and smiles also. But with the lightness, there are moments of depth which include struggles with grief, overall providing a beautiful balance to this wonderfully entertaining tale. 

THE MARRYING KIND by Kathleen Y’Barbo (2006 Novella - Lone Star Christmas Collection)
 Too bad he wasn’t the marrying kind. Sheriff Rafe Wilson thinks only about leaving his boring no-crime town and joining the rangers. His dad however, a former ranger himself, made a secret promise to his dying wife that their son would never be a Texas Ranger. Eb Wilson and his meddling retired Ranger buddies come up with some crazy schemes to keep Rafe in Cut Creek, but it just may be the exasperating new feisty dressmaker that sews up Rafe’s destiny! I loved the characters in ‘The Marrying Kind’; they were so endearing and had a wonderful camaraderie. A very enjoyable read! 

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You can find this BARGAIN-PRICED book here: AMAZON

GIVEAWAY: Thanks to the generous authors of this collection we have 
5 GIVEAWAYS FOR 5 WINNERS!! 
The prizes are: 2 e-books of the 'Lone Star Love' collection; an e-book of 'Last Groom in Town' by Janice Thompson; an e-book of 'Signed, Sealed, and Delighted' by Crystal Barnes; AND one print copy of the novel 'Diamond Duo' by Marcia Gruver!! 

Please leave a comment to enter, and remember to leave your email for contact purposes should you win, using (at) and (dot) to protect against spammers!



49 comments:

  1. Thank you, Noela. Have a blessed and happy day!
    leliamae54(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. Thanks so much for coming by LUCY! Blessings to you, too!

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  2. Good morning, OWG! I'm so thrilled to have our collection featured here today, and I wanted to gush a little on the amazing reviews Noela has written for us. I'm so honored! Thank you, Noela, and God bless. Thank you Carrie for having us. I look forward to hanging out a bit today with your readers. <3

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    1. Love having you and the other authors in this wonderful collection here on OWG, Marcia!! Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement. And thank you also for being here while I'm sleeping Down Under! Have fun!! :-)

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    2. I second Marcia's response. Such a treat to see such a bountiful review. Thanks, Noela, and thank you for having us here today. :-)

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    3. Thanks Crystal! It's been a real pleasure to have you all here and to feature your fantastic collection! I just have to say again how much I enjoyed Signed, Sealed, and Delighted! Soon as we get our internet issues sorted I'll be grabbing your others!! :-)

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    4. You're so sweet, Noela. You just made my day. 😃 I hope you enjoy every one of them.

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  3. What a great collection of sweet Christian romance! The fact that they all take place in the great state of Texas is an added bonus. Thank you for sharing this on your blog. Blessings, Phyllis

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    1. Haha I agree, PHYLLIS... Nothing like a Texas romance! My favorite!! Thanks so much for coming by! Bless you!

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  4. Noela, what a fabulous job as always on this marvelous collection! Thank you so much for your reviews of these talented authors' stories!

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    1. Diana, I was so impressed with these reviews. She did a great job. I know the other authors will be so pleased. The work you guys do (and have done in the past) is greatly appreciated.

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    2. Noela always does such a stellar job on her reviews, I find myself immediately wanting to read the book! Thank you, MARCIA! We also appreciate the work and time spent by you and other authors, that we might experience so many hours of reading pleasure!

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    3. Thank you sooo much guys!! You are both such a blessing to me!! And wonderful writers yourselves, so it means a lot to hear this encouragement! <3

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  5. NOELA, I love your review of this fun collection! I enjoy stories set in my home state of TEXAS!
    psalm103and138 at gmail dot com

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    1. A Texan, Caryl? Howdy! I grew up in the Houston area (northeast of the city), but we've relocated to the Hill Country. I love Texas stories, too!

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    2. Yay! Another Texan in our midst. :-)

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  6. Gotta love any book set in Texas! Klemmk(dot)c(at)gmail(dot)com

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  7. Noela, Thanks so much for featuring our book on your blog Your wonderful reviews are a blessing. I'm honored to be a part of this fun collection.

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    1. Thanks so much, VICKIE! It's a brilliant collection, you ladies are so talented!!

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  8. Great review Noela!
    Lone Star Love collection sounds like a fun read.
    Blessings,Tina

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    1. Thanks, TINA! It really is an amazing and yes fun, collection of stories!! Hope you get to read it soon my friend!

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  9. Thanks for this chance these books look amazing

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    1. Thank you, Sarah! Thanks for coming by, and good luck!

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  10. I posted early this morning but I guess it didn't go through. Thanks SO much for your kind words, Noela! Tickled pink that you enjoyed my story.

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    1. JANICE... I LOVED your story!! Give me more! :) Thank you for writing such an enjoyable story! So glad you came back, too. :-)

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  11. What a great giveaway opportunity. Thank you and have a great day!

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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    1. It's an amazing giveaway isn't it, MELANIE?!! A huge thanks goes to Marcia Gruver for organizing it! All the best in the draw, Melanie!

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  12. What an awesome giveaway!!! Thanks so much!!! Have s wonderful, Blessed Day!!!
    ***cavallofrances@yahoo.com

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    1. On behalf of the authors doing the giveaway, you are SO welcome, FRANCES, and we all wish you the best with your entry!! Thanks so much for coming by to read about this amazing collection! Blessings!

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  13. Beautiful reviews, Noela - thank you!!I love novella collections, especially when written by such gifted authors. I love being able to read numerous authors within a short time span and the satisfaction and enjoyment of reading a complete shorter work when I don't have time for the longer ones. I'm putting the 'Lone Star Love Collection' on my TBR list!!

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    1. BONNIE, although this unique collection features 2 novels along with the 3 novellas, it reads just as fast because the stories are so completely engaging, you're finished before you know! ;) Thanks dear Bonnie!

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  14. Sounds like a great collection! I have read all of these authors before except for Marcia Gruver, hoping to change that though:)

    lientjiehuman(at)yahoo(dot)com(dot)au

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    1. Thank you so much! I'd be thrilled to have you read my story.

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    2. LIENTJIE, Marcia Gruver writes the most amazing books! I can't wait for you to read them!! :-)

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  15. I want to thank everyone again for your participation, and especially sweet Noela.

    I just noticed a fun fact. Three of our stories have characters named Anne, Anna, or Annie, and two are named Sarah. What are the odds? Best of luck to each of you in the drawing! Big hugs.

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    1. I noticed it reading Noela's reviews. Cool, huh?

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    2. Lol, I hadn't noticed that, and I wrote the reviews haha! :-) Very cool!

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  16. This giveaway contains some of my favorite things, Christian Romance and Stories in Texas. fishingjan[at]aol[dot[com

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    1. My favorite things, too, Jan. Good luck in the drawing!

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  17. What a great collection.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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    1. Thank you, Mary. I've read my co-author's stories, and they're great. I know you'll enjoy reading this collection.

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  18. Looks like a great collection! Joanninmh@embarqmail.com

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    1. It sure is, JO-ANN, I know you'll love it as much as I did! :-) All the best with your entry!

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  19. Wonderful reviews, Noela :). I wasn't so sure I would be interested, but you certainly took care of that! Thanks, ladies, for the giveaways.
    bettimace at gmail dot com

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    1. Yayy BETTI, that is so good to hear! :-) Thank you! It really is an awesome collection of stories and you will so enjoy them!

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