Pages

27 September 2016

Rails to Love Review & Giveaway


This is an outstanding collection of novellas. I enjoyed each and every one. Highly recommend. Consistent quality throughout by many of CBA's most beloved authors! I received a free download from NetGalley and was glad to read the collection before it released from Barbour Publishing.
"Outlaw on the Pueblo Excursion" by Diana Lesire Brandmeyer. Misadventure puts a missionary-wannabe at risk. But a heroic journalist comes to her aid. Cute premise.
"The Depot Bride" by Amanda Cabot. Female photographer accepts a position documenting changes. Solid story.
"Last Stop, Cordelia" by Lisa Carter. Lady journalist on the transcontinental railroad line runs straight into danger. Fantastic romance!  Lisa hit a home run with this story!

"Train to Eden" by Ramona Cecil.  After a railroad accident, amnesia strikes the heroine. A compelling story.

"Love on the Rails" by Lynn Coleman. This is a really cool and unique story. I’ve not seen another novella quite like it. Set in Savannah, in the 1880s, a desperate young woman comes South as a mail order bride. While the hero is a nice man, his obsessive trails, including working all the time, may derail this marriage before it ever gets started.  A great story about how love requires work. We're featuring Lynn this week on the Overcoming with God blog.


"The Honeymoon Express" by Susanne Dietze. Female telegraph operator heads out west but ends up on a train with newlyweds. Cute story! I love Susie Dietze's writing and tell her I'm one of her "fan girls" of her lovely writing.

"Just for Lucy" by Kim Vogel Sawyer. Orphan train transporter learns the little girl with her has no home, once she arrives. She carries the child on to her resistant and single uncle. Very sweet romance. 

"My Soul Waits" by Connie Stevens. Stuck in a small town, when she fails to board the train, the heroine must find a new course to take. Solid story.

"World's Greatest Love" by Liz Tolsma. Very compelling and unique story. The characters in this story really came to life as a seamstress with a traveling circus train is set up by her antagonist to lose the job she must keep.  This story will remain with the reader long after it ends.

GIVEAWAY: A paperback copy of The Rails to Love Collection. Answer this question -- What are your favorite types of novellas?

88 comments:

  1. I seem to enjoy mail order brides because the element of surprise is right there waiting for me. The uncertainty of the journey and what the woman will find when the train arrives. Will the groom be dashing and waiting with open arms or reluctantly waiting for someone who will be nothing but a woman to get his meals, wash his clothes and feed the chickens. The historical elements are enticing to this history buff and traveling by train just adds to the adventure. I have found some of my favorite authors reading novellas such as these and would love to have a copy for my collection!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Historical fiction is definitely my favorite kind!! I can't wait to read these novellas. Thanks for the review and giveaway!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Layette you would absolutely love this collection of Rails to Love!!!

      Delete
  3. I'm with Ladette - historical fiction; clean romance :-) These sound great!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for visiting Christine! This collection is fabulous!

      Delete
  4. I do enjoy those mail order brides collections! Putting this on my wanted list :)
    dkstevensne AToutlook DOTcom

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You have to get yourself a copy, Deanna, if you don't win this week! Hugs!

      Delete
  5. Thanks so much for the lovely review! What a treat to know you enjoyed it. We had a blast writing these!

    I love novellas--sometimes they are just the perfect length! I admit, I'm a fan of mail-order bride stories, too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Loved your novella, Susie, as usual! I'm proud to be a Susie Dietze fan girl! Hugs!

      Delete
  6. From your review Carrie, I have this on my TBR list.
    My favorite is historical and mail-order brides, also regency, Edwardian, and colonial/early American.
    Blessing, Tina

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tina, I really think you would love this. So if you don't win, I think Santa should send you an early gift! Hugs!

      Delete
  7. My favorite type is Christian! Any genre, as long as it's clean! Thanx for the giveaway!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for coming by, Jennifer! All of these are Christian historical romance! You are welcome -- best wishes!

      Delete
  8. I really historical fiction. I like to read about the history of the earlier days of the U.S.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There are all different settings in this collection, Dianne, all historical. I think you'd love Rails to Love!

      Delete
  9. My favorite novella collections have some kind of theme that connects the stories. I especially like Christmas novellas since time is more limited for reading in December.

    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I totally agree about Christmas being novella time. I don't want to get into a full length novel during the holidays.

      Delete
  10. My favorite novellas are ones that all seem to fit together like Christmas stories, or state fairs, or historical anything :). Thanks for the giveaway - it is so lovely to be able to enter for a physical book.
    bettimace(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's how Barbour always does their's, Betti -- they have a theme that ties them all together. This is a gorgeous book with those deckled pages!

      Delete
  11. My favorite novellas are historical fiction, especially from the mid-1800s to early 1900s. I find mail order bride stories fascinating, but I love reading most stories set in this time period.
    susanmsj at msn dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sounds like you have a great range that you enjoy, Susan! You'd love Rails to Love!

      Delete
  12. I love Historical fiction. Thanks for the giveaway.
    Marilyn

    ReplyDelete
  13. I enjoy historical fiction. It is always so interesting. Thank you for the giveaway.
    Joan

    ReplyDelete
  14. Historical fiction is one of my favorite reads. Thanks for this giveaway.
    MarionMPC[at]AOL[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  15. I enjoy historical reads.Thanks for the giveaway.
    MarilynDKC[at]AOL[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Historical fiction is my favorite! Thank you for giveaway!
    psalm103and138 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sweet Caryl! You would love Rails to Love. It is a great collection! Hugs!

      Delete
  17. I enjoy Christmas novellas. I also enjoy western and historical novellas. Actually, any story with a happy ending. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  18. I love novellas with plenty of romance! Historical or contemporary, I enjoy both as long as there's plenty of emotion and a happy ending ;) Looking forward to this collection!

    colorvibrant at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm not a big contemporary reader but I'd prefer a contemporary novella done well over a novel. Candace Calvert had a fabulous one about a year or two ago that I loved! Thanks for coming by!

      Delete
  19. I have read some great mystery novellas in the past. If it is historical I know I will enjoy it.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I enjoy mysteries now and again, too. But so many have scary elements that bother me! Yes, this is all historical romances, Mary!

      Delete
  20. Thanks for posting this review Carrie,sounds like a wonderful collection of stories! My favorite kind of novellas are usually historicals dealing with the holidays or mail order brides. Looking forward to this collection,don't usually find many train stories. Just love the romance surrounding them! Thanks also for the giveaway! lynnefeuerstein(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are welcome, Lynne! Whoever thought of the train element was brilliant. I think that might have been Becky Germany, the publisher. I love train elements, too, which is why Louis Penwell, my hero in "The Substitute Bride" is a train depot manager!

      Delete
  21. Whether it be historical, wedding, Christmas, friends.....I love novellas!!!!

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are a faithful reader, Melanie, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised! For something in print I'm finding novellas are better for me. I enjoy novel-length fiction on audiobook. Blessings!

      Delete
  22. Nice! I love this breakdown that gives us a little of each story. I personally love novella collections, especially the historical romance ones featuring stories out west. Something about that, the journey to the "unknown" makes it interesting. Many of them are romance that doesn't seem to work if it was anywhere else. Quick reads that satisfy any reader's appetite for romance, adventure and fun characters!

    justcommonlyATgmailDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Annie, I feel the same way about the journey to the unknown! TY, I only gave teasers on the novellas, I sort of thought I should give more on the novellas as this collection will be on my Best of 2016. Maybe one of the other reviewers will. Hugs!

      Delete
  23. I am fascinated by the Civil War era, so any novellas with those types of stories are the ones for me. Of course, I love any historical clean romance novellas. Thanks for the giveaway and good luck everyone. princessdebbie1_2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Debbie, I have a post-Civil War story coming out with a collection set in 1866 -- Seven Brides for Seven Mail-Order Grooms, which releases in June 2017 from Barbour. Glad to feature this wonderful collection!

      Delete
    2. Well, Debbie Clatterbuck, you won! Congrats! I'll be boxing up a copy for you.

      Delete
  24. My favorite novellas are ones with a realistic timeline. I know this is hard in so few pages, but I've read some very good ones too. Especially if it's contemporary, a longer timeline somehow is a must. Shorter ones are more plausible in the historic genre. I do love novella collections because I can usually finish one story in a sitting.

    ReplyDelete
  25. I enjoy historical fiction and mysteries. Christmas too - because that is my favorite time of year!

    ReplyDelete
  26. My favorite novellas are definitely Amish, some Christmas and a few historical fiction. I love these romance collection of novellas. I have a few and would try and read the ones from the library when and if they have them. The Rails to Love sounds very interesting and I would love to add it to my bookshelf. Thank you for the chance.

    ReplyDelete
  27. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I love historical novellas, and all of these sound like they're right up my alley. I've always been a sucker for mail order bride stories and unlikely romances.

    chillirosen(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  29. For some reason I am not getting this in my email anymore. I know I am missing a lot of great posts. Maybe I need to sign up again.
    I Love novellas . It's so much fun to read so many fun different short stories.
    Would love to read The Rails to Love. Thank you for the chance.
    Deanne Patterson
    Cnnamongirl at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  30. I love historical and Christmas ones. I have read several that kind of continue from author to author and I really like those. This book looks so fun especially cause I "ride the rails" everyday to work. Modern ones of course, but I have a real fascination with trains, especially historical looking ones! sonja dot nishimoto at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I'm a mail order bride junky so I read those books and stories over and over!

    ReplyDelete
  32. My favorites are really just historical in general. My favorite era is DEFINITELY medieval.
    Elly -Indiana-
    jcservantslaveATicloudDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  33. I so love the THEME books! This sounds like another good one!

    missionwife AT hotmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  34. I so love the THEME books! This sounds like another good one!

    missionwife AT hotmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  35. I love historical novellas. Fun fun fun.
    mindyhoug (at) msn (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  36. Another historical novella fan and here. I especially enjoy it when the novellas in a collection have a connection, are set in the same town etc...

    Pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  37. Another historical novella fan and here. I especially enjoy it when the novellas in a collection have a connection, are set in the same town etc...

    Pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  38. I do like historical novellas but then I like most any kind of novellas. I really enjoy when there are several in one book. Thank You!
    karenskrayons(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  39. I like that these books all have a connection. Novellas are always great to read! Thanks for the chance to win them.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  40. I love any kind of historical fiction! This looks like a collection from some great authors! Thanks for the chance to win.

    ReplyDelete
  41. I always enjoy Christmas/holiday novellas because I can enjoy a sweet story quickly amidst a busy time with family and at church.

    ReplyDelete
  42. I always enjoy Christmas/holiday novellas because I can enjoy a sweet story quickly amidst a busy time with family and at church.

    ReplyDelete
  43. I like historical fiction best--mail-order brides, wagon trains, mining towns, early towns anywhere, ranches, settlers, pioneeers, also books about Amish, Quakers, Mennonites, Shakers. Wonder why no one has written books about the Puritans?

    ReplyDelete
  44. I love historical and Christmas novellas. I must out this on my list to buy and review. It's looks like an amazing book.
    Deana ljhdwayne(at)peoplepc(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  45. I like historical novellas.
    I would enjoy reading these!

    ReplyDelete
  46. I really enjoy reading a Christmas novella.With the shorter and busier days at that time of year, a novella is often a perfect option, and Christmas novellas often offer a quick way to tell a really moving story. I also love when a collection of novellas have something connecting them together whether it is a family or a town or whatever.

    ReplyDelete
  47. I enjoy historical novellas and Amish novella collections. Good luck everyone and thank you for the chance to win!

    ReplyDelete
  48. Historical fiction with mail order brides. So fun and sweet. truckredford(at)gmail(Dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Love your email addy and "name" Truckredford 2! I'm married to a red Toyota Tundra truck guy -- my handsome chauffeur!

      Delete
  49. I love Christian Historical novellas. I also enjoy Amish stories. Thank you for the opportunity to win!

    ReplyDelete
  50. Christian historical fiction, Amish, anything similar to Karen Kingsbury read almost all her stuff

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Uh oh, no name so I can put u in the drawing :( Next time u visit please leave your name, thanks!

      Delete
  51. My favorite type of novellas would be Christian historical romance. And Christmas ones.

    ReplyDelete
  52. Christian historical novellas for me. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy of the book. It looks great.
    msbookwormlady(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  53. Carrie, thanks so much for featuring the novella collection--such a joy to work with so many talented writers! I truly believe there's something for everyone in this set.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Kim Vogel Sawyer, this book is a HIT!!! Thanks for coming by! I totally agree with you about something for everyone in this set! Blessings!

      Delete
  54. I have read many historical and a few contemporary novella collections and find I gravitate to the historical ones the most frequently. For subjects, mail order brides are always interesting as well as orphan trains, and lately I have read a collection of WWII related novellas - all very good.

    ReplyDelete
  55. I love Historical Fiction novellas with a bit of humor!

    ReplyDelete
  56. I enjoy historical fiction & holiday novellas

    ReplyDelete
  57. My favorite novellas are sweet and have many lessons packed into them! I prefer historical ones. This collection sounds very promising, thank you!
    dguz55 AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  58. I really enjoy novellas that serve as an introduction to a book series.
    But I agree with a comment above about enjoying all Christian fiction novellas. Sometimes it's nice to have a quick read. And historical fiction is my favorite, so this collection sounds really good.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Love quick reads as the holidays approach. This book is in my Best of 2016, Connie!

      Delete
  59. Hello dear Carrie. Glad to read one of your reviews. Always good. I love train stories. I used to ride a train back and forth from a small town to Houston, Tx where my dad worked during WW II. Got to take my kids on their first and only just once before the train stopped running in Houston. This book sounds like it has some great stories. I love these kinds of stories, and always those aboutlgo back to the days when the west was stetted. Of course I like many genres. Would love tone the winner of this one. Love to all of you sweet ladies. GOD bless, Maxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com <

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. One of these days we need to have you give your testimony on the blog, Maxie! You have been such an inspiration to all of us! Love and hugs and God bless you back, sweet Maxie!!!

      Delete
  60. What a fascinating blog you have, Carrie! I have been reading several reviews here and the stories look very interesting.
    I'm not really a fan of historical fiction, but would definitely love a Christian novella, especially if a Christmas one. :)
    Have a blessed day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Sara!!! So great to see you here and FUN meeting you on Stephanie's blog!!! Best wishes!!!

      Delete
  61. Your marvelous review makes this book sound so appealing! I especially like the collection of such good authors! Thank you!
    Janice
    pjrcmooreATwindstreamDOTnet

    ReplyDelete
  62. Your marvelous review makes this book sound so appealing! I especially like the collection of such good authors! Thank you!
    Janice
    pjrcmooreATwindstreamDOTnet

    ReplyDelete

Google Analytics