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17 April 2018

First Love Forever -- More Reviews from Andrea Stephens


First Love Forever Romance Collection By Susanne Dietze, Cynthia Hickey, Marcia Gruver, Carrie Fancett Pagels, Martha Rogers, Lorna Seilstad, Connie Stevens, Jennifer Uhlarik, and Erica Vetsch

I was very touched by each of the novellas in this 5 Star book. Each story tells of a couple separated by time for varying reasons, being reunited in unique circumstances.

-Weeping Willow by Marcia Gruver
Willow, Julian, and Hiram. Childhood friends and semi-rivals Julian and Hiram both love Willow. Willow's heart belongs only to Julian. The men go off to fight in the Civil War. Hiram returns wounded. Julian is not heard from for two years. Willow is pressured by her mother to marry Hiram. Can Willow put her grief and love for Julian aside?
I admired Willow's faith and seriously disliked her mother n this story of true love and faith.
I loved the authors' way of saying things. Example: “freckles so dense they looked blasted on with a scattergun”

-After The Ball by Martha Rogers
Chase and Susannah have loved each other since childhood summers spent together on his grandfather's ranch. Chase is unhappy working for his father, he longs to be on the ranch with his grandfather and Susannah. Chases mother wants him to marry a Dallas society woman. He takes Susannah to the ball honoring his father some women say she is not good enough for Dallas, but the truth was Chase wanted her and that's all that mattered. Being true to yourself and what you want for your life is the heart of this sweet story.

-Lighter Than Air by Lorna Seilstad
Ella and Titus. For school principal Ella Mason there is nothing like having her first love literally drop out of the sky onto the school property. A difference of minds separated them six years prior to the crash landing. Titus is injured and must stay at the school to recuperate much to Ella's dismay. Eventually, Titus is allowed to give some science lessons to the girls during his recuperation. One snooty mother does not think it is appropriate to have a man at a girls boarding school. She threatens Ella. Ella sees changes in Titus and his beliefs. This is an action-packed, second chance at first love story. After a fire and tornado, the balloon gets repaired, does the relationship?

-In Due Season by Connie Stevens
Leah and Gareth. There is so much hurt to overcome. Gareth left Leah the day before their wedding. Fifteen years later, he returns to sell his late father's property. Holding on to hurts from the past, Leah struggles to forgive Gareth after he tells her the truth of why he left, not what his father told her and the town. She still loves him, he's never stopped loving her. My heart hurts for these two as they go back and forth searching for the path to forgiveness. Gareth leaves town again to care for his recently found mother, she is dying in a hospital. Can Leah and Gareth overcome all that has passed between them?

-A Most Reluctant Bride by Cynthia Hickey
Maggie and Zach. Maggie fell in love with Zach when she was a teen, too young for him. After her father dies, her mother wants to marry her off to the highest bidder and move back east. Maggie only wants to save her father's ranch. Trapped in a storm overnight, they return only to find Maggie's mother insisting they marry to save her reputation. They enter into a marriage of convenience. Zach sees Maggie as a feisty woman now and has feelings for her. Maggie loves him even more after seeing him take control of the ranch. The playful, teasing banter between the two is sweet. After Maggie is put in a dangerous situation, their feelings get real. For me, the message is trust and truth.

-Heartfelt Echos by Jennifer Uhlarik
Travis and Millie fell in love at the school for the deaf. They are separated by time and circumstance. Victoria, Millie's mother is very ill and sends for Travis to get and break a horse for Millie's birthday, (I think she wants him to be the real present). This is a very suspenseful story! Millie's step-father is not so nice. There is beating, kidnapping, a fire and more. There are also many surprises. Restoration, reuniting, and true love.

-Prescription for Love by Erica Vetsch
Natalie and Phin. Oh my, this is such a tragic story! Nurse Natalie Morrison, the almost fiancee of Dr. Phinias Mackenzie, has just recovered from Yellow Fever and is assigned to be his nurse in New Orleans. Natalie feels she is supposed to return to missionary work in Panama because it was her father's deathbed wish. Phin is drawn to New Orleans with his new mobile doctor office to reach those people that would never go to the doctor.
There is a deadly Yellow fever outbreak in the city. Natalie and Phin work very closely together, while the love they had for each other in the past simmers beneath the surface. Phin's brother Michael, sees it as he is being treated for the fever. He tells each of them they need to talk things out. Can Phin forgive Natalie for leaving him without explanation? Will Natalie realize her own calling for her life? Is there a chance for a happy ending?

This is such a wonderful, love filled collection. I highly recommend it to everyone.


We also have a Rafflecopter giveaway going on through April. 

Be sure to enter to be one of the winners of the MANY great gifts we have!!!

Purchase links:



Check at your local Christian bookstores, e.g., Lifeway, to see if they have copies, too! 

Giveaway: An autographed copy of First Love Forever. Leave a comment to enter. 

40 comments:

  1. I know I would love this book!

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  2. How much more fun could this be with so many authors to read? I really love the novella collectiosn and always find a new author that I like and can tell others about.
    perrianne(DOT)askew(AT)me(DOT)com
    Perrianne

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    1. Hi, Perrianne. I have found so many favorite authors within the pages of these collections. I've also found so very many favorite stories.

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  3. This sounds like a wonderful collection. I always enjoy these books and I'm looking forward to reading First Love Forever.

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    1. It is a wonderful collection. I hope you get a chance to read it soon, Kay.

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  4. Following this Collection around! Would love to win a print copy. Thank you for your review of the novellas here! Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

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    1. It's a good collection to follow around. I hope you get to read it soon!

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    2. Congrats, Kathleen! You won a copy of First Love Forever per random.org! Blessings!

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  5. The collection sounds just lovely.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  6. Oh I REALLY want to read and review this! And what a fantastic giveaway!

    Amada (pronounced: a.m.a.th.a) amada_chavezATyahooDOTcom

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    1. I hope you get a chance to, Amada! It's a great book!

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  7. Sooo many great authors and wonderful stories in the First Love Forever Romance Collection! I am looking forward to reading it!! Thanks for the chance to win a print copy!
    ~Alison Boss

    nj(dot)bossman(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. The print copy is beautiful Alison! You will love it!

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  8. Great review, Andrea! This is one collection I definitely want to read. Thank you for sharing the giveaway. Blessings
    marilynridgway78[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. Hi, Marilyn! It is a great collection. Make sure you enter the Rafflecopter!

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  9. Lovely review Andrea!! Sounds like a great collection,I've never been disappointed by the Barbour novella sets :-)

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. Thank you, Trixi. I love this collection. I read as many of the Barbour collections I can, I wish I could read them all.

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  10. Excellent review, Andrea! I'm excited to read this collection.

    psalm103and138atgmaildotcom

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    1. Hi, Caryl! I hope you get to read this soon.

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  11. I really liked the description of the book. I like reading anthologies and discovering new authors. Sounds like a great read.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Hi, Dianne. I love a good love story with happy endings. This collection has nine wonderful stories! I think you will like it.

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    2. Congrats, Dianne Casey, you've won a copy of First Love Forever!

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  12. Sounds like a fun collection of stories. Thanks for doing a giveaway. 😊

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  13. All of these books sound so interesting. Thank you for all of these wonderful reviews.

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  14. I just love these collections! I can't wait to read this one too!

    alander87(AT)allcom (DOT)net

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  15. I can’t wait to read this book with so many wonderful authors. Also a couple new authors for me.

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    1. We had over 800 page views of this review!!! Congrats, you've also won a copy of First Love Forever! Congrats!

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  16. I am AVIDly waiting to read this book. Thanks for your giveaway. Did I mention AVID?
    Blessings!
    Connie
    cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

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  17. All these stories sound great. Thank you for the chance to win a copy of this book.
    AVID
    susanmsj at msn for com

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  18. Nice review Andrea.
    I enjoyed each novella in this collection.
    Blessings, Tina

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    1. AVID reader!....I already have a copy of the book, so I am not entering.
      Blessings, Tina

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  19. I would love to have a copy of the First Love Forever Collection. It's so sweet of you to have a drawing. If I don't get chosen in the drawing, I know I'll be purchasing it. Thanks Carrie Francett Pagels! AVID!

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  20. I commented once already, but had to leave another comment. :-) Great collection of stories. Very enjoyable! AVID

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  21. I am an AVID reader!

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  22. I would love reading this 📖.

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  23. What a delightful collection by some fabulous authors. I am excited to read your collective works again. I would love to win this one!

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