Noela Nancarrow reviews WITH THIS RING? Novella Collection

With This Ring?

With This Ring?

A Novella Collection of Proposals gone Awry.

by Karen Witemeyer, Mary Connealy, Regina Jennings, Melissa Jagears

Bethany House Publishers (January 5, 2016)

Reviewed by Noela Nancarrow

5 Stars *****

Unpredictable Plans precede unexpected Proposals!

Life and love can be vastly unpredictable which can add plenty of intrigue and sparks. This is exactly what transpires in these four novellas of love and proposals emerging from unforeseen circumstances!

THE HUSBAND MANEUVER by Karen Witemeyer

What’s a gal to do when for far too long she’s pined after the foreman of her daddy’s ranch, while her continuous attempts to demonstrate what a great little wife she’d make—goes completely unnoticed? Well when Marietta hears this foreman talk about moving on to his own homestead, she realizes her window of opportunity to orchestrate a proposal from him must happen when her father and the ranch hands leave for the cattle drive. While Marietta’s foreman stays behind to look after her father’s ranch and move his mule stock to his new spread, she plans to leave her Aunt’s place early to go back to her father’s ranch unaccompanied. Sounds like the perfect plan, right? What a shock for the foreman to find his boss’s daughter and himself alone at the ranch—the little lady he’s trying to get away from! Absolutely loved this captivating, enchanting, toe-curling Texas romance!

HER DEARLY UNINTENDED by Regina Jennings

Generous rains, gushing rivers, and a stranded cow… Josiah relishes a great adventure and he found it and a whole lot more at the Ozark homestead of Katie Ellen’s. With her parents away, the perfectionist Katie insists she needs no-one. But then her plans go astray when Josiah and a creepy stranger become stranded at her farm when the bridge washes out. Josiah has always pestered Katie rather than allowing her to know his true feelings but he’s thinking he needs to modify that soon. Perhaps pretending to be her husband in front of the grim-talking stranger in order to protect Katie and her reputation—will give him that chance. But Katie has been hurt by Josiah before, and keeps those walls erected. Can these two find a way to work together to keep safe? What an intriguing, engaging, and delightful tale that demonstrates we don’t always have to do it alone.

RUNAWAY BRIDE by Mary Connealy

When Carrie’s poor excuse for a father, arranges for her to marry the loathsome Damien Kearse to absolve himself from a large gambling debt, Carrie must clandestinely flee her home and the imminent wedding. Escaping with her younger brother, Carrie literally runs into Texas Ranger, Big John Conroy who was sent to deliver Carrie to Colorado. He becomes Carrie’s hero many times over as he comes up against Damien’s men and unscrupulous bounty hunters along the trail. Before too long Big John realizes he needs to make a detour and enlist the help of his war buddies, the Regulator’s. Damien Kearse doesn’t take kindly to having pride stomped on and pulls out all stops. Will Big John be able to keep her safe, along with his heart from this little lady he’s protecting? Not many can pen such an entertaining story infused with genuine western flavour throughout—but Mary Connealy does it so efficaciously!

ENGAGING THE COMPETITION by Melissa Jagears

When Harrison Gray is asked by his concerned Reverend to talk to Harrison’s childhood friend about her upcoming marriage, he figures he oughta do it regardless of his mixed feelings. While tomboy and ranch owner Charlotte (Charlie) Andrews has always fascinated Harrison, she’s also been an annoying itch with her competitive nature. He’s given her a wide berth ever since she humiliated him in a shooting competition a decade ago, but now he needs to man up and ensure all is well. When the bespectacled teacher Harrison who can’t see anything past a blur without his glasses, has them broken by Charlie, she offers to help him in the classroom until he gets a new pair. Will this half-blind teacher and his assistant learn a few lessons along the way and have their eyes opened? Or are there too many obstacles to trip them up? This is a wonderfully engaging and beautiful story of learning from each other and discovering your worth!

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

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Find this book at these places and others: Amazon; CBD; BAM; Barnes &Noble

GIVEAWAY: Melissa Jagears is generously donating a copy of WITH THIS RING? for one commenter over this week. (A comment on Teresa Mathews' review on Thursday will give you another chance!) The format will be winner's choice. E-book only outside of US unless available through Book Depository. *Leave a comment to enter, along with your email!*