Noela reviews LONE STAR LOVE COLLECTION by 5 talented Authors!

Lone Star Love

LONE STAR LOVE - 5 Historical Romances set in the Lone Star State

May 18, 2016

Reviewed by Noela Nancarrow 

5 Stars~ *****

Allow me to introduce you to 5 stories set deep in the heart of the Lone Star State, Texas. Each tale is a unique Texas treat on its own, highlighting the great state and bringing you adventure in spades as history comes to life. Meet up with some rugged cowboys, the local sheriff and the famed Rangers, loads of friendly folk and some downright inhospitable ones. Enjoy endearing romances, splashes of suspense, and the message of God’s immeasurable love weaved throughout as these talented authors share their outstanding stories!

SIGNED, SEALED, AND DELIGHTED by Crystal Barnes (Prequel Novella - Marriage & Mayhem)

 Joe (Joseph Mathews) might be honoring Sarah’s father’s dying request by marrying her in order to protect and care for her, but Sarah knows from her friends’ experience that husbands don’t always remain honorable.  So she simply has Joe sign away his husbandly rights before the vows are exchanged. Joe thinks he can do this…until he develops feeling for Sarah! This engaging story was an absolute joy to read, and reminds us that God is much bigger than our circumstances. A delightful new-to-me author that I’m extremely eager to read more from!

DIAMOND DUO by Marcia Gruver (Novel - August 15, 2009)

Wooded landscapes with wagon-rutted roads throughout the small community of Jefferson, along with the chilled waters of the murky bayou fringed by groves and towering oaks—combine to create a delightfully atmospheric setting for a captivating tale of drama, suspense, and romance!

The lives of a vibrant assortment of endearing characters entwine as they forge new friendships and deepen old. Bertha Biddie is sure Thad (Thaddeus Bloom) shares an unspoken love for her, leaving Bertha frustrated and impulsive enough to seek the advice of a beautiful but mysterious newcomer to the town. When she gets acquainted with this tormented visitor, it just might be that Bertha can offer the most help. Yet, it may come at a steep price for Bertha. As for Thad, he is torn between his father’s life-long college expectations and his love for the bare-foot loving Bertha. How can he possibly choose? Their friends Henry and Sarah, struggle with terrifying bigotry and the perilous price of pride. Together, these and other wonderful and unique characters, all experience a barrel of happiness, heartbreak, and healing, on the bumpy Texas roads of personal and spiritual growth.

Marcia Gruver’s articulate use of period appropriate dialogue and expressions, combined with vivid scenes flawlessly painted with words, and extensive historical research—delivers a memorable and realistic journey back to 1877. An outstanding story!

UNEXPECTED BLESSINGS by Vicki McDonough (2006 Novella - Lone Star Christmas Collection)

This is an enchanting small-town tale that reflects on how the changes in our lives can be massive when we challenge our pre-conceived ideas and beliefs in the face of reality and God’s truth.

Nanny to young Mark and Molly for the past couple years, Anna Campbell has come to love them as her own. But when they tragically lose their parents, Anna has to deliver them to their Uncle Erik in the small town of Cut Corners, Texas. What is Anna to do when Erik refuses the children, claiming his brother died eight years ago? Erik is charmed by Anna and the children but he refuses to be swindled. They’re at a standstill and Anna’s life is falling apart in the meantime!

Reading this story was an ‘unexpected blessing’ for me, for I was reminded that God’s own purposes in His perfect timing—can sometimes happen when our plans don’t pan out as expected. Anna’s story is a charming and heart-warming tale that demonstrates just that. A beautiful story!

LAST GROOM IN TOWN by Janice Thompson – (2015 Novel - Deep in the Heart of Texas, Book 3)

Set within the magnificent Texas Panhandle with its glorious wide-open spaces, grazing cattle, kaleidoscopic sunsets, and stars that seem within reach—is a cozy, romantic comedy that roped me in from the beginning and warmed me like the Texas sun.

Having recently lost both parents, Anne must secure a future for herself and her two young sisters. On the way to Dallas to live with a well-off but crotchety Uncle, a broken rail-road track has Anne, Emily and Kate, making an unexpected detour into Groom, Texas. Has this interruption derailed her plans, or could it be God’s detour? It seems too much to bear for the threesome when they fall in love with family of O’Farrell’s Honor ranch but will soon be back on board the train. Is there a way for them to stay in the place of their dreams?

Janice Thompson has surely written some of the most splendid characters I’ve ever had the pleasure to befriend. The benevolent and effervescent Maggie was a treat, but the highlight was pint-sized Emily, the little author in the making who had me in stitches with her wild imagination which knew neither bounds, nor boundaries. The sweet romance between Anna and Jake O’Farrell gave me plenty of sighs and smiles also. But with the lightness, there are moments of depth which include struggles with grief, overall providing a beautiful balance to this wonderfully entertaining tale. 

THE MARRYING KIND by Kathleen Y’Barbo (2006 Novella - Lone Star Christmas Collection)

 Too bad he wasn’t the marrying kind. Sheriff Rafe Wilson thinks only about leaving his boring no-crime town and joining the rangers. His dad however, a former ranger himself, made a secret promise to his dying wife that their son would never be a Texas Ranger. Eb Wilson and his meddling retired Ranger buddies come up with some crazy schemes to keep Rafe in Cut Creek, but it just may be the exasperating new feisty dressmaker that sews up Rafe’s destiny! I loved the characters in ‘The Marrying Kind’; they were so endearing and had a wonderful camaraderie. A very enjoyable read! 

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You can find this BARGAIN-PRICED book here: AMAZON

GIVEAWAY: Thanks to the generous authors of this collection we have 
5 GIVEAWAYS FOR 5 WINNERS!! 
The prizes are: 2 e-books of the 'Lone Star Love' collection; an e-book of 'Last Groom in Town' by Janice Thompson; an e-book of 'Signed, Sealed, and Delighted' by Crystal Barnes; AND one print copy of the novel 'Diamond Duo' by Marcia Gruver!! 

Please leave a comment to enter, and remember to leave your email for contact purposes should you win, using (at) and (dot) to protect against spammers!