Most Eligible Bachelor Collection Review by Carrie Fancett Pagels

The Most Eligible Bachelor Romance Collection

A WINNER!!!

WONDERFUL collection of nine Christian historic romance novellas! The earliest story is set in colonial times and the latests in the early 1900s.

I predict this will become a CBA Bestseller! This is one of the best collections from Barbour I have ever read. This will be on my Best of 2015 list on this blog!

*****

Love's Reward by Susanne Dietze

I absolutely loved this novella by debut author, Susie Dietze, who is also our featured author this week on OWG blog!!! 

When a rather mean-spirited "friend's" ad drives unmarried ladies to pursue talented architect, Daniel Blair, the San Franciscan's life takes a turn. I felt so badly for the young women who believed the advertisement was genuine. Life at the rooming house begins to sour as his landlady tires of the deliveries made by young women to her home. Meanwhile his longtime friend, a sweet and spunky young lady, finally seems to be realizing what a wonderful man Daniel is. Josie is definitely her own woman and a bit avant grade for the times. Her brother is a piece of work.

The scheming behind the scenes was especially well done. Even thought this was a novella, Susanne did a great job of working in the elements of a large architectural contest and also used that to show the competitive nature of various characters. Many characters, and their situations, aren't at all what you think they are. This is the kind of complex and layered novella that I love to read.

Lovely job of showing the whys and the why nots of Josie's and Daniel's relationship. I see Josie as rather adorable and ADHD and when... (never mind--I won't spoil that one scary scene for you!!!)

This was a darling story and Daniel was a sigh-worthy hero! Fantastic debut!

*****

The Highwayman by Shannon McNear

This lovely colonial story features a young wagon master who simply cannot get his tongue to work properly when he is around Long Tall Sally, the daughter of the main innkeeper on the Great Wagon Road in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.  However, she's frustrated by his lack of communication, especially since she has known him for years. Her brothers constantly thrill over the adventures of "The Highwayman" a savior who swoops in and rescues people.  When Sally is rescued from a local miscreant, by the famed masked man, her heart thrills. But she doesn't know the wagon master is the one risking all for her. Shannon was a Rita nominee for her first colonial era novella and this new release is a great read!

Four Brides And A Bachelor by  Gabrielle Meyer

I love this story set in the 1800s in Minnesota. Being from upper Michigan myself, this particularly interested me.  In this novella, the your women teaching in a mission are told they MUST be married to continue in their jobs. One of the teachers was originally supposed to marry a minister from another mission. This eligible bachelor has been summoned forth but doesn't realize that NOW he has four young women to select from, which was decided by the directors of the mission as being most fair.  Very nicely done, especially with the little twist with the father at the end! 

Baker's Dozen by Gina Welborn

I had high expectations of this story, which were fulfilled. As per usual, Gina writes a compelling story which great characterization.  Set in the household of Duke, a wealthy widower whose daughter needs a mother, he has decided to bring in a bevy of young women to find a wife to be mother to his child.  Having grown up in the household,  Irie secretly was in love with Duke before she left for training school. Her mother is employed by his father. Duke's father asks her to help his son find the best woman to be his wife and mother to the granddaughter. This is one of the first stories I have read with a divorced heroine in it, so that was an interesting twist and far overdue. 

A Doctor's Agreement by Cynthia Hickey

I had the privilege of reading this excellent story as a Beta reader but then forgot I'd read it! Cynthia Hickey consistently writes great books and this is no exception. When the newspaper owner's daughter places an ad for a lottery to obtain a spouse for the single physician, she doesn't realize she'll be entered! 

The Final Baker Bride by Kathleen Y'Barbo

Determined that she can prove herself capable of being self-sufficient, heiress Octavia doesn't realize there are many forces at work. She finds a "taxi cab driver" in New Orleans, Merritt Baker who may be the antidote to her marriage avoidance. Charming tale.

The Most Ineligible Bachelor In Town by  Connie Stevens

Turn of the century Kansas is the setting for an unappreciated postmaster's fine traits to finally be noticed. But first it will take a visit from his flashy cousin, supposedly a Pinkerton agent, to have the pastor's daughter finally be able to see who the best man in town is. But when danger comes to town, will they survive to finally express their affection to one another?

"A Bride For A Bargain" by Amanda Barratt

Fired from her lousy job,  Ada McClane calls out to God to help her figure out how to pay for her younger brother's treatment for his lung ailment (t.b.).  Meanwhile the richest bachelor in the city, Geoffrey Buchanan wonders how he can get his mother off his back. The society matron has set up yet another weekend at their posh country home in which she'll parade more single women from the proper "set" in front of him. Geoffrey contracts with Ada to act as his fiance for this event and offers her too much to refuse. But when the farce ends, will Geoffrey be able to leave Ada behind?

Archeologist's Find- by Erica Vetsch

This is the most unique of the stories which made it just a little jarring although it was good.  A wealthy young lady, Ally, is given an ultimatum by her mother to either find herself a husband within three weeks or agree to be courted by someone her parents approve of. Egyptologist and archeologist Max falls for the young art student who has so beautifully captured the essence of his collection. But when he discovers her true identity can their relationship survive?

Giveaway: We're giving away another copy of Most Eligible Bachelor Collection choice of paperback or ebook.