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?
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!
ReplyDeleteHey Mardell! I love those elements too!
DeleteHistorical fiction is definitely my favorite kind!! I can't wait to read these novellas. Thanks for the review and giveaway!!
ReplyDeleteLayette you would absolutely love this collection of Rails to Love!!!
DeleteI'm with Ladette - historical fiction; clean romance :-) These sound great!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting Christine! This collection is fabulous!
DeleteI do enjoy those mail order brides collections! Putting this on my wanted list :)
ReplyDeletedkstevensne AToutlook DOTcom
You have to get yourself a copy, Deanna, if you don't win this week! Hugs!
DeleteThanks so much for the lovely review! What a treat to know you enjoyed it. We had a blast writing these!
ReplyDeleteI love novellas--sometimes they are just the perfect length! I admit, I'm a fan of mail-order bride stories, too!
Loved your novella, Susie, as usual! I'm proud to be a Susie Dietze fan girl! Hugs!
DeleteFrom your review Carrie, I have this on my TBR list.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite is historical and mail-order brides, also regency, Edwardian, and colonial/early American.
Blessing, Tina
Tina, I really think you would love this. So if you don't win, I think Santa should send you an early gift! Hugs!
DeleteOh, really?!
DeleteBlessings,Tina
My favorite type is Christian! Any genre, as long as it's clean! Thanx for the giveaway!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming by, Jennifer! All of these are Christian historical romance! You are welcome -- best wishes!
DeleteI really historical fiction. I like to read about the history of the earlier days of the U.S.
ReplyDeleteThere are all different settings in this collection, Dianne, all historical. I think you'd love Rails to Love!
DeleteMy 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.
ReplyDeletepmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com
I totally agree about Christmas being novella time. I don't want to get into a full length novel during the holidays.
DeleteMy 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.
ReplyDeletebettimace(at)gmail(dot)com
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!
DeleteMy 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.
ReplyDeletesusanmsj at msn dot com
Sounds like you have a great range that you enjoy, Susan! You'd love Rails to Love!
DeleteI love Historical fiction. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteMarilyn
I enjoy historical fiction. It is always so interesting. Thank you for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteJoan
Historical fiction is one of my favorite reads. Thanks for this giveaway.
ReplyDeleteMarionMPC[at]AOL[dot]com
I enjoy historical reads.Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteMarilynDKC[at]AOL[dot]com
Historical fiction is my favorite! Thank you for giveaway!
ReplyDeletepsalm103and138 at gmail dot com
Hi Sweet Caryl! You would love Rails to Love. It is a great collection! Hugs!
DeleteI enjoy Christmas novellas. I also enjoy western and historical novellas. Actually, any story with a happy ending. :-)
ReplyDeleteI 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!
ReplyDeletecolorvibrant at gmail dot com
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!
DeleteI have read some great mystery novellas in the past. If it is historical I know I will enjoy it.
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
I enjoy mysteries now and again, too. But so many have scary elements that bother me! Yes, this is all historical romances, Mary!
DeleteThanks 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
ReplyDeleteYou 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!
DeleteWhether it be historical, wedding, Christmas, friends.....I love novellas!!!!
ReplyDeletemauback55 at gmail dot com
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!
DeleteNice! 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!
ReplyDeletejustcommonlyATgmailDOTcom
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!
DeleteI 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
ReplyDeleteHey 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!
DeleteWell, Debbie Clatterbuck, you won! Congrats! I'll be boxing up a copy for you.
DeleteMy 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.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy historical fiction and mysteries. Christmas too - because that is my favorite time of year!
ReplyDeleteMy 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.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeletechillirosen(at)hotmail(dot)com
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.
ReplyDeleteI 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
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
ReplyDeleteI'm a mail order bride junky so I read those books and stories over and over!
ReplyDeleteMy favorites are really just historical in general. My favorite era is DEFINITELY medieval.
ReplyDeleteElly -Indiana-
jcservantslaveATicloudDOTcom
I so love the THEME books! This sounds like another good one!
ReplyDeletemissionwife AT hotmail DOT com
I so love the THEME books! This sounds like another good one!
ReplyDeletemissionwife AT hotmail DOT com
I love historical novellas. Fun fun fun.
ReplyDeletemindyhoug (at) msn (dot) com
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...
ReplyDeletePattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com
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...
ReplyDeletePattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com
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!
ReplyDeletekarenskrayons(at)gmail(dot)com
I like that these books all have a connection. Novellas are always great to read! Thanks for the chance to win them.
ReplyDeletepbclark(at)netins(dot)net
I love any kind of historical fiction! This looks like a collection from some great authors! Thanks for the chance to win.
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy Christmas/holiday novellas because I can enjoy a sweet story quickly amidst a busy time with family and at church.
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy Christmas/holiday novellas because I can enjoy a sweet story quickly amidst a busy time with family and at church.
ReplyDeleteI 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?
ReplyDeleteI love historical and Christmas novellas. I must out this on my list to buy and review. It's looks like an amazing book.
ReplyDeleteDeana ljhdwayne(at)peoplepc(dot)com
I like historical novellas.
ReplyDeleteI would enjoy reading these!
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.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy historical novellas and Amish novella collections. Good luck everyone and thank you for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteHistorical fiction with mail order brides. So fun and sweet. truckredford(at)gmail(Dot)com
ReplyDeleteLove your email addy and "name" Truckredford 2! I'm married to a red Toyota Tundra truck guy -- my handsome chauffeur!
DeleteI love Christian Historical novellas. I also enjoy Amish stories. Thank you for the opportunity to win!
ReplyDeleteChristian historical fiction, Amish, anything similar to Karen Kingsbury read almost all her stuff
ReplyDeleteUh oh, no name so I can put u in the drawing :( Next time u visit please leave your name, thanks!
DeleteMy favorite type of novellas would be Christian historical romance. And Christmas ones.
ReplyDeleteChristian historical novellas for me. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy of the book. It looks great.
ReplyDeletemsbookwormlady(at)aol(dot)com
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.
ReplyDeleteHey 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!
DeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteI love Historical Fiction novellas with a bit of humor!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy historical fiction & holiday novellas
ReplyDeleteMy favorite novellas are sweet and have many lessons packed into them! I prefer historical ones. This collection sounds very promising, thank you!
ReplyDeletedguz55 AT gmail DOT com
I really enjoy novellas that serve as an introduction to a book series.
ReplyDeleteBut 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.
Love quick reads as the holidays approach. This book is in my Best of 2016, Connie!
DeleteHello 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 <
ReplyDeleteOne 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!!!
DeleteWhat a fascinating blog you have, Carrie! I have been reading several reviews here and the stories look very interesting.
ReplyDeleteI'm not really a fan of historical fiction, but would definitely love a Christian novella, especially if a Christmas one. :)
Have a blessed day!
Hey Sara!!! So great to see you here and FUN meeting you on Stephanie's blog!!! Best wishes!!!
DeleteYour marvelous review makes this book sound so appealing! I especially like the collection of such good authors! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteJanice
pjrcmooreATwindstreamDOTnet
Your marvelous review makes this book sound so appealing! I especially like the collection of such good authors! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteJanice
pjrcmooreATwindstreamDOTnet