Noela reviews THE BLUE RIBBON BRIDES COLLECTION

The Blue Ribbon Brides Collection

THE BLUE RIBBON BRIDES COLLECTION: 9 Historical Women Win More than a Blue Ribbon at the Fair

Authors: Carrie Fancett Pagels; Angela Breidenbach; Darlene Franklin; Gina Welborn; Jennifer AlLee; Becca Whitham; Niki Turner; Tiffany Amber Stockton; Cynthia Hickey

Publisher: Barbour Books (November 1, 2016)

Reviewed by Noela Nancarrow

5 Stars *****

Nine historical romances give a fun and informative insight into early fairs and their competitions as women vie for blue ribbons and end up winning in love!

In Requilted with Love by Carrie Fancett Pagels, Carrie weaves a delightfully captivating tale of a young woman’s hope in winning the coveted Blue Ribbon for her quilt at the Michigan State Fair. While at the fair, Sarah Richmond learns she has much more than just a fierce competitor to contend with. Sarah has no intentions of falling in love ever again after losing two fiancé’s. So will the handsome balloonist be able to tether her heart along with his balloon?

Seven Medals and a Bride by Angela Breidenbach, tells of a group of women from Montana with two goals— to win medals for their botanical displays and to find their favorite miner Luke Edwards, a wife. Luke first meets the lovely botanist Bettina Gilbert on the ship as they arrive at the World Fair in Chicago and an immediate connection is sown. Could this be the woman he might marry? It doesn’t seem likely when he discovers she despises the effects of mining. How will they get past this obstacle?

A Taste of Honey by Darlene Franklin, sees Grant Oscar return home from the Navy to discover his father’s allowed their farm to come close to financial ruin. He needs to make money from the meadow adjoining his neighbor’s property by ploughing the land. But it was this beautiful field that contained the log gums where bees produced honey. And his neighbour Edie Grace needed that honey to help her to win at the Rutland State Fair with her baking. This spunky gal had her own big dreams and Grant was going to plough right over them. Can they both come out winners? A sweet and alluring tale!

In Altered Hearts by Gina Welborn, country girl Reba Diehl wins big at the county fair with her millinery masterpieces, convincing her to follow her heart in leaving behind the country behind and moving to the city. Will Reba have what it takes in successfully running a millinery store in Sioux Falls? Levi Webber imagines a perfect life with his closest friend Reba, the girl who’s stolen his heart and can’t believe she’s moving away. Except Reba knows nothing about it as Levi forgot to tell her! Levi represents everything Reba is escaping from. Whose heart and life will be altered in this charming and enjoyable story?

In Better with Butter by Jennifer AlLee, the age-old hot debate between butter and margarine is only just spreading. Ella, who sculpts butter models of her cow every year for the fair, is desperate to win this year to promote interest in the struggling Daniel’s Dairy Farm. She didn’t count on Maxwell Sinclair, the handsome former employee of her father’s, to be at the fair endorsing the new spread, margarine. All is threatened when some unscrupulous acts unfold, and both begin to doubt each other. What happens when they’re locked in the icehouse together, and is it possible to find compromises and new direction? A delicious story, no matter your preferred flavour!

In Driven to Distraction by Becca Whitham, we travel to the Western Washington Fair where old Auto Polo rivals, the Montgomery Marauders and the Caplan Crusaders are set to battle again. After a terrible tragedy 17 months ago, Robert Montgomery fled to join the war. He’s returned and is determined to marry Jolene Caplan. She won’t agree to wed however, until there is peace between the families. Torn between them all, will she escape the heartache and take up another tempting offer? I loved the passion of Robert’s love for Jolene and the message of forgiveness and growth. Engaging!

First Comes Pie by Niki Turner has Emmet Dewey, an opportunist who buys and sells property, catching Lorelei Boyd after she falls out of an apple tree. Not realizing Emmet has bought the deceased Otto’s place at auction, she strikes a deal with him that she may continue to pick apples from the orchard. Lorelei hopes to create a contest winning pie in order to sell the recipe and save her parent’s farm. With spicy elements of danger and romance, Niki Turner has all the right ingredients for a scrumptious novella!

Front Page Love by Amber Stockton tells the tale of Paige Callahan, a supervisor for the Agricultural Hall at the Wyoming State Fair, and her discontent with the man who wants to marry her. ‘Conventional Charlie’ they call him. He’s trustworthy and hardworking but also terribly predictable, boring, and without passion. While Paige is bemoaning the lack of love in her life to best friend Millie, she soon discovers a handsome reporter standing nearby. Before long, her mundane life gets quite interesting. Will her heart follow along this exciting path or will she choose the safe route with Charlie? An intriguing and charming story!

In Competing Hearts by Cynthia Hickey, Annie Mae Thompkins enters her vibrant quilt in the Arkansas State Fair with high hopes in winning first place. Receiving the money prize could help her family during these tough times of the Great Depression. But when her childhood friend Jonathan Mercer’s pig entry escapes its pen and destroys her quilt, she is furious with him. Must he always cause her grief? Jonathan wonders how he can ever hope for a relationship with Annie Mae when he keeps ruining things. What will change Annie Mae’s mind about Jonathan? And how can she now help her parents? This is a heart-warming story of love, forgiveness, and learning to trust God rather than worry.

This book may be purchased from AMAZON; CBD; B&N; BAM. You may also find it at your local Christian bookstore and Walmart stores!

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