Pages

25 April 2015

Julie Lessman's Grace Like Rain and Pam Hillman's and Cara Lynn James' Novellas Reviewed by Carrie Fancett Pagels

With This Kiss - Historical Collection
With This Kiss -
Historical Collection
April, 2015

Note: I already reviewed Ruth Logan Herne's lovely novella in this collection. In this post I will be reviewing Julie Lessman's novella and Pam Hillman's and Cara Lynn James' novellas.  


GRACE LIKE RAIN by Julie Lessman: The only downside of this novella is that once I had read it, it was over! Loved this story of "Blake the Rake" finally getting his comeuppance via a sweet and reserved secretary who is able to resist his "charming" personality. I'll admit I mostly found him rather funny in Julie's other books--like somebody who thinks he's so "all that" that you know he is bound to get his due, and he does!

Patience is a sweetheart and has her own issues to deal with, much less managing Blake's persistent efforts to get her to go out with him. Julie is known for her high level romantic tension and of course this novella doesn't disappoint!!!

Just when you think maybe, just maybe, things could work out for these two, the other shoe drops. Will they be able to make it past this hurdle? Maybe not. Read and enjoy!!!  Can't wait for Julie's next book!!!

Highly Recommend - 5 Stars!!!
*****

MEETING IN THE MIDDLE by Pam Hillman: Alaina and Curt live next door to each other on farms. But Alana's dad had passed away and so has Curt's wife. Now his sister has left, gotten married, and he's got two little sweeties to take care of by himself. He needs help. BUT Alana knows all the work that has to be done for her crops to be brought it. Yes, Mr. Parker needs his brought in too but his demand that she watch the children and not assist with farm duties grates on her.  Can they find away to work together instead of at odds with one another?

Lovely story!!!
*****

THE INKEEPER’S PROMISE by Cara Lynn James: A family repost in New England is the setting for this charming story. Lydia and her disabled mother are left with a half interest in the fading resort when her step-father dies. He had run the inn and hadn't brought his stepdaughter and wife up to speed on how to manage the place.  Lydia and her mother lived a very marginal life before their move to the resort, which has been like a lifesaver for them.  The other half interest is from the stepfather[s nephew, a young man named Dane, who has spent a lot of time with the loving family over the years and who Lydia has a soft spot in her heart for.  But will his ambition destroy her dream? Will nature and a despicable neighbor destroy all chances of saving the lovely vacation spot?  

*****

CLOSER THAN BROTHERS by Mary Connealy: I did not read this novella as I have visited the site of Andersonville, a confederate prison camp during the Civil War, and I cannot bring myself to read anything about this terribly sad place. If you've ever visited there, you know what I mean.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Purchase on Amazon!

GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment below for the opportunity to win a copy of With This Kiss - Historical Collection!! 
Check back in a week to see the winner (upper right corner.)

43 comments:

  1. I just love these novella collections! Looking forward to reading all the wonderful stories! Thanks for the giveaway! BTW Carrie I just bought The Fruitcake Challenge and Lumberjacks' Ball- hoping to read them this weekend! :)

    colorvibrant at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thx, CARRIE, for your wonderful reviews! Yes, indeed...Andersonville was a heartbreaking place. :(

    ReplyDelete
  3. Loved your reviews, Carrie - thank you!!

    My feelings re: "Grace Like Rain" were similar to yours: would have loved for it to have been longer, Julie's twist caught me off-guard (as it has in each of her other novels/novellas, she derives great joy in tricking her readers, lol), can't wait for her next book - the Western novella and series will be something different for her, the blurb sounds like such fun!!

    "With This Kiss" historical collection sounds like such a wonderful collection of 5 beautiful novellas, I can't wait to read the other novellas in the collection!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Bonnie this was such a great collection.

    ReplyDelete
  5. This is such a beautiful collection! Thanks for sharing with us Carrie!
    Robin in NC rw620 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks for the great reviews, Carrie. :) I'm on the very tail-end of Julie's story and just got to the TWIST that you mentioned!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So glad you enjoyed them, Pam! I really liked your novella!!! I think it is others mentioning a twist. I don't even think of that because I KNOW Julie will come up with something to throw me for a loop lol! Blessings!

      Delete
  7. What a wonderful collection! Thanks so much for sharing your reviews, Carrie.
    bettimace at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad you enjoyed this Betti, and best wishes on winning!

      Delete
  8. The novellas do sound like fabulous reading.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thank you for sharing your lovely reviews, Carrie. I look forward to reading this wonderful collection!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Britney! I love your blog, too! Thanks again for the lovely get well gift from you and your mom! Hugs!

      Delete
  10. What a delightful set of authors and stories! I have to put this on my wish list.
    worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Go get it, Merry--its only $2.99 and worth every penny!

      Delete
  11. Carrie, the reviews are great! I always look forward to reading what you have to say. This collection looks like a winner!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, it is, Melanie! Thanks for your kind words and thanks for the lovely gift from you and Britney! Blessings!

      Delete
  12. Oh Carrie, a great review of these books. I'm sure they are all good. good authors. I would sure love to win them. Thanks for the giveaway and (((Hugs))) to my OWG sweeties. GOD bless you all. Maxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com <

    ReplyDelete
  13. Enjoyed your reviews Carrie! Loved all these stories!! Fantastic collection!

    ReplyDelete
  14. CARRIE!!! What are you doing out of bed, girlfriend??!! Don't make me come down there ...

    And I cannot BELIEVE you took the time to write/post a review, you little brat -- you're supposed to be recuperating!! But I guess there's no way you would just lie there on the couch, NOT blessing someone because that seems to be your goal in life. Heaven knows you've blessed me more times than I can count, my friend. :)

    Thank you SO much for such a heartfelt and deep review, not just for my novella, but for the collection -- you are SUCH a blessing to all of us that I wish I could come down there and hug you tons of times. But since I can't, I am sending cyber hugs to you, my friend, with love and prayers for a speedy recovery.

    Hugs and more hugs,
    Julie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That is exactly what DIANA says, Julie, lol!!! Loved this collection, loved Blake the Rake's story and SO glad I got to read and review. I love having these recliner sofas because I can at least lie back and use laptop some when my medication is working. I can't hug right now so cybers are great!!! XOXOXO You are a blessing to me!

      Delete
  15. Collection sounds great! Thanks for the giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think you would love this collection--there is something for everybody in it Lourdes!

      Delete
  16. Wonderful review, Carrie! Definitely will put this on my must read list!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Great collection, Gracie! Hope you get to read it soon! Thanks!

      Delete
  17. I would love to win this historical collection, some great authors in there!

    ReplyDelete
  18. What a fantastic set of books and authors! Historical is my favorite genre. Thanks for the chance to win!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Love these authors for the messages they portray and the beautiful stories they always write. I'm sure this collection is no exception. Thank you for the chance to win!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are all VERY different from each other. This collection is also a great way to show each author's unique voice, Marissa! You are welcome and best wishes!

      Delete
  20. I know what you mean, Kate! You are welcome. Best wishes!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I have been looking forward to reading Julie Lessman's latest novel Grace Like Rain and this collection contains not only that novel, but a few others I would like to read. I hope to be the winner, but good luck to one and all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. With FIVE stories for only $2.99 it is hard to go wrong with this collection! that's the price of only one novella but you get five great authors!!! Best wishes!

      Delete
  22. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I would love to read this historical collection Carrie. Thank you for this opportunity to win it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Carol Ann! It is good to keep reading while you are doing your own writing, too! Have a blessed day!

      Delete
  24. I'd love to win! Thanks for the chance!

    ReplyDelete
  25. So much great reading! Where do I start? I know that I would love to have a chance to read these!

    ReplyDelete

Google Analytics