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30 October 2016

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 fiancĂ©’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!

GIVEAWAY: Carrie Fancett Pagels is generously giving away a copy of 'The Blue Ribbon Brides' to one commenter! Please be sure to leave your email address written (at) and (dot) to protect yourself from spammers.



75 comments:

  1. Noela, isn't this a great collection of stories in this book?!

    Congratulations Carrie Fancett Pagels, Angela Breidenbach, Darlene Franklin, Gina Welborn, Jennifer AlLee, Becca Whitham, Niki Turner, Tiffany Amber Stockton & Cynthia Hickey!
    Blessings, Tina

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    1. Absolutely, Tina! I loved getting free tickets to these fairs of long ago and observing such sweet romances develop! The authors all did an outstanding job!

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    2. Thanks, Tina! And Noela, what a cute response!

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  2. Very nice review Noela. Congratulations to each of the authors! I enjoyed each novella in this book so much. I'm still hungry for apple pie.

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    1. Thanks, Andrea! Ooh yes, I could go for some apple pie right now! ;)

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    2. Thanks, Andrea! That apple pie recipe looks great!

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  3. Thank you for posting and reviewing!

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    1. My pleasure, Angela, thanks! I so enjoyed Luke and Bettina's story!!

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  4. Wonderful review! Im anxious to read it
    God bless you all
    Chris Granville
    new email
    21granville21ATgmailDOTcom

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    1. Thanks Chris, I really hope you get to do that soon! God bless!

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  5. This is a beautiful book and I'm sure it's a great one.
    Thanks for having this contest.
    grandmama_brendaATyahooDOTcom

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    1. Brenda you're so right, it is absolutely gorgeous!! And a very enjoyable read, too! Thanks for coming by.

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  6. This sounds like a great book. I'd love to read it and share it with my mom. Congrats to all of the authors.

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    1. I do that too, Vickie! Share my books with my mum, that is. She can't get enough, lol. Thanks for stopping by and entering!

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  7. Would love to have a paperback copy of this book! It's a great cover

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    1. I'm sure this book would look gorgeous on your bookshelves, Kelly! All the best!!

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  8. I have a friend who makes amazing quilts fur gifts but never enters them into fairs either. Maybe we can all be inspired by these stories ! :) All the best, Amanda!!

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  9. There's nobody that can write novella collection reviews quite as beautifully as you, NOELA! I find the thought of doing so very daunting. The cover is so inviting as are the descriptions of each of these stories by so many talented authors! Thank you!

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    1. Aw thanks, Diane! I do find it daunting too I admit and there is always prayer involved. ;) It's certainly not easy pulling such wonderful stories down to a few lines but I try. I hope you get a chance to indulge in these fun novella's one day!

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    1. I'm sure you'll love it, Connie! It's a prize-winning book! :)

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    2. Thanks, CONNIE! I pray you'll read the Blue Ribbon Brides Collection soon! Thanks NOELA -- that would be lovely if we won some contests with these novellas! Or a best seller list with the collection!

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  11. Hello ladies. Sounds like a great bunch of stories. Thanks for the good review Noela. Love to my OWG and els. Would love to win. Maxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com <

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    1. Hello Maxie! I'd love a win for you, so all the best, sweet lady. God bless you!

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    2. Hi sweet MAXIE! These are great novellas by wonderful authors (even if I do have one in there haha!) Love and hugs to you! Best wishes!

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  12. Thanks Noela for this review! Always appreciate your helping us keep tabs on the latest in great Christian fiction. This sounds like a fun collection! Thanks also to all the authors for this wide variety of stories to enjoy (and thanks to Carrie for the giveaway,too)! lynnefeuerstein(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. You're welcome Lynne, and thanks! We appreciate thoughtful and sweet people like you, too! Blessings and all the best with your entry.

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    2. Hey LYNNE! These nine stories are full of life and Christian romances! Best wishes!

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  13. What a great review and for a great book. It sounds like a great collection.
    Thanks
    Becky
    ohiohomeschool (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. Thank you Becky, and yes it's a wonderful collection! I hope you get to read it soon!

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    2. BECKY, we are going to miss our Aussie Angel! She does a fantastic job of reviewing!

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    3. Thank you so much Carrie, our Mama Angel!!

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  14. Finished reading this amazing collection of Blue Ribbon Winner. Will be posting review soon. I went through NetGalley for ebook but would love a paperback for my library. Keep the stories coming ladies!

    Patricia aka Mamaw
    mamaw1050 (at) att (dot) net

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    1. Thank you for your comment, Patricia! Awesome to hear you loved it. You're in with a chance so maybe it will grace your library soon! :)

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    2. Hey PATRICIA! Be sure to put a link to your review on my FB page, okay? Thanks for reading and reviewing!

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  15. Your reviews always bring the stories to life :-) Would love a paperback. cmcfaithingod(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. We have been so blessed to have NOELA review on OWG blog, CHRISTINE! Thanks for coming by!

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    2. Oh thank you so much for your comment, Christine! I really appreciate that. All the best in winning this beautiful book!
      Carrie... It's been such a huge blessing being on this wonderful blog. Oh how I'll miss it!!

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  16. Hi AMANDA, It is fun to have all different stories, different time periods, but with the fair theme! NOELA, I may be inspired but my eyes and hands still won't cooperate with quilting! Maybe the pie though -- I could manage that!

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  17. This looks so enticing!! I cannot wait to read!!

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    1. Enticing is the word I would use too, Debra! How can one not be enticed with such a gorgeous cover, fascinating premise, and all these wonderful authors?!! :) Here's hoping you get to read it soon!

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  18. What an exciting book.
    JoanEC128[at]AOL[dot]com

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  19. Ohhhh Carrie, thank you so much for the chance to win a copy of "The Blue Ribbon Brides Collection", this is on my wish list as I love the collections books!

    wfnren at aol dot com

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    1. This is a beautiful collection book, Wendy! I'm sure you'll love adding this to your collection! :)

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  20. What a book to win. It sounds so interesting.
    Marion

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    1. What a book to win. It sounds so interesting.
      MarionMPC[at]AOL[dot[com

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    2. Thank you for your comment, Anon!

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  21. Thank you for the opportunity to win this great book.
    MarilynDKC[at]AOL[dot]com

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    1. Thank you for your comment, Anon! I'm sorry but we can only allow one entry per person in the draw, Anonymous.

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  22. Great review, would love to read. Thanks for the chance.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Thanks Dianne, and all the best with your chance! I hope you get to go to the fair soon!! :)

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  23. I'd LOVE TO WIN COPY OF THIS! :D Thanks for another opportunity to win one Carrie! :)

    Hugs, Amada (pronounced: a.m.a.th.a)
    amada_chavez@ATyahooDOTcom

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  24. Nice review. Thanks for the chance to win. debradawn777(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Thanks Debra! Here's hoping your entry is the winning ticket! :)

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  25. I'd love to win a copy of this book! My email is: stone_sarah(at)bellsouth(dot)net

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    1. Thank you Sarah for coming by and reading about this wonderful collection! Hope you get to read it soon!

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  26. SPECTACULAR review, Noela! I LOVE these collections!
    psalm103and138 at gmail dot com

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    1. Thanks, Caryl! You are such a sweetheart! These collections are fun aren't they.... And this one even takes you to the fair! Nine times!! ;)

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  27. I do so love the Barbour collections!! Doesn't matter the theme or time period, they're all fantastic :-)

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. Totally agree, Trixi! All the best, and thanks so much for sharing! :)

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  28. Thank you for the review. I love these books with several stories in them and this one especially because I love the fair. Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
    kmgervais(at)nycap(dot)rr(dot)com

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    1. Our pleasure, Karen! Hope you get to go these fairs soon!! ;)

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  29. What a fun collection! Thanks for sharing a bit about all the stories! I'm looking forward to reading it now!

    colorvibrant at gmail dot com

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    1. Awesome! Thanks Heidi, I hope you get to enjoy it soon! :)

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  30. Way to go, NOELA!!! Lookin' good!!! Can't wait to read this collection.

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