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19 February 2015

The Homestead Brides Collection reviewed by Noela Nancarrow

The Homestead Brides Collection
by Various Authors
Barbour Books (February 1, 2015)

Reviewed by Noela Nancarrow - 5 Stars *****

Founding futures on America’s Great Plains

The Homestead Brides Collection is a gathering of nine inspiring tales telling of the adventurous pioneering folks of the bygone 1800’s. These brave pioneers battled the land and forces of nature in their quest to improve their land and build a secure future. When love came their way, often it was as unpredictable as the land. Ultimately, their lives were enriched far beyond their dreams. Each outstanding story in this collection gives its own reward to the reader. Highly recommended!

Homestead on the Range

When the new homesteader Colin Samuelson meets Elle Winter, there is an immediate chemistry… that is until the father of three discovered this pretty woman had four children of her own! Considering himself a poor father of his own three, he was ready to run for the hills. That wasn't about to happen however because his land adjoined Elle’s, leaving them both fighting their attraction to each other along with the forces of nature, and their children’s antics. Absolutely loved this entertaining novella… It was amusing, romantic, informative, and beautifully illustrated how God is with us in the storms of life.

Priceless Pearl

What happens when an inexperienced family leaves the city to make the run for land in the Cherokee Strip in Oklahoma? Will this family survive the harsh winter with their inadequate knowledge and a tendency to be impractical from their days living comfortably in St. Louis?  Or might their neighbor who has his own deficiencies be able to trade off? This is a sweet story of hard work, hope, and love, with a future that promises to be as priceless as Grandma’s irreplaceable pearl!

Proving Up

Swedish Nils Svensson was ready to expand his lumber business and build a timber mill, and the property bordering his land was part of that plan. Discovering that the beautiful Elsa Lindstrom held the deed to the land he thought could become his, dispersed his dreams upon the prairie winds. Elsa had her own plans and when Nils despite himself, grew feelings for her, she accuses him of only wanting her land. Will it be possible for them to find a way to prove up on their land as well as their hearts? This is a wonderful story containing a fascinating forest of facts on the Timber Culture Act of 1873 that’s grafted into a blossoming love story!

Prairie Promises

Philadelphia city boy Jack O’Donnell arrives at his widowed mothers Nebraska homestead, to a startling reception from a young pregnant woman that’s residing with his mother. He’s not sure whether to admire this pretty woman or be wary of her? Regardless, he means to take his mother home with him as he can’t leave her to this barren prairie and its harsh winter. How can he get his stubborn mother to agree to give up her land and more importantly, how will her plucky young widow friend that’s due to give birth soon, survive alone in a thatched soddy no less? A descriptive and beautifully told story that was refreshing, thoroughly engaging, and a delight to read!

This Land is our Land

Mollie Jameson, orphaned and caring for a brood of siblings and a Grandpa with memory lapses, hasn't much time to spare to reach Lincoln, Nebraska if she wants to lay a claim to the land her father had homesteaded. They’ll all be homeless if she can’t make it in time, and when a blizzard sweeps in and slows them down, it seems that will be the case. Unless she can trust the cowpoke that they've only recently met who has no home or responsibility, to hightail it to the land office with their deed. Will the overburdened Mollie lose everything or gain more than she bargained for? This was a truly enjoyable and heart-warming story with endearing characters!

Flaming Starr

With anticipation swelling the closer Starr Matthews draws to her recently acquired homestead, she is relishing the thought of finally owning her own place to begin a new life. But her hopes were scattered like the tall grass prairie seeds when she discovers widower Aaron Conrad and his children have already claimed ownership. Although Aaron’s children would benefit from a mother and Starr’s soul heal from love and a new beginning, her pride and tainted past produce formidable barriers towards any happy outcome. Will Starr find her forever or the end in the town named Last Chance? Not too many novella’s touch me deeply enough to bring on tears, but this touching and memorable novella did. Loved it!

A Palace on the Plains

Hired as a seamstress for Walt Haskell’s upcoming wedding, Julie Farrington has arrived from the city to stay with Walt’s brother, Cyrus. The widowed Cyrus is none too happy having her and her ridiculous amount of luggage move into his tiny dugout that already houses his mother and two young sons. Julie wonders what she’s gotten herself into! She hadn't figured on encountering such a primitive dwelling with no space or privacy, or the gruff though admirable man she’s dwelling with. Julie’s true mettle is put to the test however, when she has to deal with sickness, arduous work, and extreme weather. Will Julie also find her happy ever after? I thoroughly enjoyed this absolute gem of a story, and found the incorporated information on building Soddy’s, completely fascinating!

Waiting on a Promise

Marta Vogel is anxious that it’s taking so long for her fiancĂ© to give her the go ahead to join him in Oklahoma. Ignoring his last letter again urging her to trust him and wait, she hops aboard the next train to Oklahoma Territory. But Karl Reinhardt had good reason to keep her away. He’s dealing with a land dispute and sabotage while trying to work on his land. When she arrives, he is fearful for her safety, especially when she makes friend with the enemy. Wow, what a great story! It’s not always easy to capture so much intrigue in a novella, but Becca manages to do that along with suspense, humor, and romance, in the talented strokes of her pen.

The Bogus Bride of Creed Creek

Iz McBride returns home to his Texas ranch in Creed Creek to discover a pregnant wife! Which is very strange seeing how he’s never met her before. And everyone in Creed Creek seems to love Cora McBride, even his traitorous dog. So does he evict her from his ranch or marry her proper? I loved the unique plot, and it was fun trying to figure out how this mixed-up tale of deceit and truths was going to unfold. The charming characters in this western tale strive to change past wrongs for future generations. A very sweet ending to this novella and to this wonderful book! 

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You will find this book at these places and others: Amazon; CBD; Barnes & Noble; Books-A-Million; Book Depository.
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GIVEAWAY: This gorgeous book is up for giveaway to one very blessed commentator who leaves a comment below! E-book if the winner is outside of the US.

57 comments:

  1. Hello OWG sweet ladies. Thanks Noela for all of these neat reviews. All of the stories sound so good. Need to read it. Please put my name in the pot for a chance.. Can always hope huh? GOD bless you each.(((Hugs))) Maxie

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    1. Yes Maxie, you always gotta hope!! And I hope you get to read this wonderful book of stories soon! :) God bless you dear Maxie, and big hugs back!

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  2. NOELA, Your reviews are so good they make me want to unplug my keyboard. And by that I mean unplug and go read. Well, and maybe hang up my review writing hat. Honestly, in just a paragraph you have me hooked, and I HAVE the book!
    Excellent, my friend. {{hugs}} from the frozen tundra foothills of NC. :-)

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    1. Aww Anne, you are a sweetheart!! Thank you so much for the kind words and the smiles you give to me! But from what I've seen of your reviews my friend, don't you dare hang up your hat! :) It WAS a great collection wasn't it?!! Stay warm in those frozen foothills mate. We're needing to stay high and dry in the next few days as we're about to have a cyclone cross the coast a bit north of us! Hugs!!

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  3. Thank you so much for your kind words about this great collection! I saw this on Twitter and I am blessed by the gift of time and praise! Thank you, Noela!!!

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    1. You're welcome Ruthy, it was my pleasure!! And I have to say a big thanks to Carrie for sending me the book too! I always set my reviews to come up early since I'm awake here in Australia, and then I catch those early birds like yourself, Anne, and Maxie above. ;) I don't start promoting until you all begin waking up however. Blessings Ruthy and thanks for your wonderful story!!

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  4. Lots of great authors! It has to be great! And I love the cheerful yellow cover! I enjoy these collections. And it is about pioneers, a subject I always enjoy!

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    1. There's something so inspiring about those brave and extremely hardy new settlers isn't there!! And these nine novella's demonstrate that grit and determination they're known for! You're so right Nancy, nine great authors = nine great stories!! :)

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  5. Noela, what wonderful reviews. This sounds like a wonderful book. Each story sounds great. A wonderful collection of authors. Thank you for sharing.
    eppersonkatrina@yahoo.com

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    1. Thanks Katrina, my pleasure! They were a fantastic collection of novella's to read. Very enjoyable! I so hope you will be blessed to read them soon as well Katrina!!

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  6. Amazing reviews, NOELA! And a lot of work for you, dear Aussie! I find the prospect of reading 9 novellas a bit daunting, but it's not like one has to read them all at once! What a beautiful cover and it sounds as though the stories are equally so! :)

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    1. Thanks sweetie!! One of the great thing about novella's is that if you find it difficult to put down a good story, it won't take as long to get to the end! And then you can get to those menial chores... Lol, perhaps that's not a good thing! ;) I love how all these stories follow a theme also, it binds them altogether so you're not all over the place. Diana it really is such a gorgeous cover, but even more so than in the picture as it's very glossy and then the pages have alternately scalloped edges... and yes the stories are equally beautiful as well!!

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  7. Noela, thank you for such a lovely and thorough review! You have blessed me today!

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    1. You're welcome Erica, and thank you! I truly loved your novella and I also love how these books give me a chance to get acquainted with new authors and their books! God bless!!

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  8. I really enjoyed reading your thoughts on each of our stories, Noella. Thank you for your encouraging reviews!

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    1. Thank you so much Carla, and you are more than welcome! Absolutely enjoyed reading this beautiful book along with your wonderful story!! Blessings!

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  9. I would absolutely love this treasure !

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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    1. It is indeed a treasure, Melanie, and I hope you get to unearth it soon!! ;)

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    1. Thank you Mary, and all the best with your entry!! God bless!

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  11. I love books set in this time period. All these stories look good.m I would love to win this book.
    susanmsj at msn dot com

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    1. It's a fascinating time period and isn't it Susan! There's nothing like reading about the pioneer days of our forefathers and to catch a glimpse of what they encountered through these insightful and wonderful stories!! All the best Susan! :)

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  12. We have books similar to this one in the church library. Thanks for giving me the chance to win.
    Janet E.
    von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. You're welcome Janet! Thanks for coming by to read about it, God bless!!

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  13. All these stories sound amazing! Thank you for the chance to win this wonderful collection!
    salvssll(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. They really are top-quality novella's and all quite intriguing! All the best to you Salvina and thank you for dropping by! Blessings!!

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  14. It's still SO awesome to me that there are SO many stories in this book from all these great authors! I love collections like this because you get great stuff from authors you already love and get to read from new authors to! :)

    Blessings, Amada (pronounced: a.m.a.th.a)

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    1. It's a terrific deal isn't it Amada... getting nine fabulous stories from nine amazing authors, and a beautiful book to boot! :) I would so love you to get a hold of this book Amada!! God bless!

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    2. Thank you so much Noela! :)

      Hugs, A

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  15. Amazing review Noela. You have me hooked on wanting to read this novella. One can certainlly hope can't they ? Beautiful pages and cover. Wow, so many talented authors stories are in here. I just love these typesof historical stories !

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    1. One can always hope Deanne!! :) And I really hope you're able to get your hands on this book real soon too!! Blessings, Deanne!

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  16. Thanks for giving us these glimpses of the stories in The Homestead Brides Collection. They all sound fantastic! I'd sure love to win a copy; thanks for the chance.

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    1. You are so welcome Pam, and thanks! They are terrific stories in a very beautiful book, which I'm sure would grace your bookshelf very nicely Pam! :)

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  17. Thanks for the giveaway - sounds like very one of the stories will become a favorite!

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    1. I reckon they will Betti!! :) Bless you Betti and thanks for coming by to read about them!

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  18. Really great review. I love books set in this time period, they all sound wonderful. Would love to win a copy.
    Blessings, Tina

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    1. Thank you Tina! I so agree with you about this time period and setting, love it! I really do hope you get a hold of this wonderful book soon Tina, God bless!

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  19. I love reading all of these great comments based on Noela's excellent reviews of the stories in The Homestead Brides Collection. I hope each of you will get the chance to read this book.

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  20. What a wonderful collection of writers and wonderful stories to enjoy! I am putting this on my wish list. :)

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    1. Yep Merry, this is a good one to put on the wish list!! And I hope your wishes come true sooner than you think! :) Blessings!

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  21. Great authors with great stories! What could be better?
    susanlulu@yahoo.com

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    1. Lol, not too much Susan! ;) All the best Susan, and I hope you get to read some of those great stories soon!!

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  22. WOW!! Loved your beautiful review of each of these adventurous novellas, Noela - thank you!! I love pioneering stories from this time era and look forward to reading this wonderful book written by 9 gifted authors!!

    Shared post!!

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    1. Thank you Bonnie, you're sweet! These are wonderful pioneering novella's, giving great glimpses into this time and the homesteading issues that faced these brave people. You'll enjoy them Bonnie! :)

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  23. Each of these stories sounds wonderful. Thanks for the giveaway
    jwisley8@me.com

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  24. This collection sounds wonderful! I love such stories and there's some of my favorite authors, too :) Y'all be blessed!

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    1. It truly was a wonderful collection of stories, all very entertaining and informative! Hope you get to be blessed to read it soon Caryl!!

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  25. This wonderful review is why I don't usually even try to put one up, Noela! But the collection was so good, I really had to this week and I loved Carla Olson Gade's story and the others! Blessings!

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    1. We always love reading your reviews and take on these wonderful stories Carrie!! Thanks for your kind words! Hugs and blessings!!

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  26. Thank you for the wonderful review of 9! wonderful stories I would so love to win. Wow - what a contest. Fingers crossed! Mary Lou K flowersmarylou85(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Sister Mary Lou, per Random.org you have won the copy. No fingers necessary, I think God heard your prayers! Congrats!

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    2. Congratulations Mary Lou!!! Very happy for you!!

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  27. These authors always write such great stories.
    Thereadmaster(at)me(dot)com

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    1. They are a very talented bunch for sure, Virginia!! :)

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  28. These authors are always great! Shelia Hall sheliarha64@yahoo.com

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    1. I completely agree Shelia... they are an awesome group of writers, which makes for a wonderful book!

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