Victorian Christmas Brides Review by Andrea Stephens

Christmas came a little early for me when I opened this brightly wrapped, autographed book! 

Review of The Victorian Christmas Brides Collection by Andrea Stephens

 I met a couple new to me authors on this journey back to a different time. Nothing is perfect and there are many twists, mysteries, and surprises along the way but each of the 9 novellas has a happy ending. I highly recommend this book for all historical Christian fiction fans especially those that love unique Christmas love stories. This book makes a perfect gift for yourself or your favorite book lover.

Some feelings on each novella. 

~One Golden Ring by C.J. Chase 

Good story! It is clear that Marianna and Tristam belong together. Miss Nowell seemed to know it too. ~Star of Wonder by Susanne Dietze Much mystery involving the stolen diamond necklace. I loved the children being seen and heard, not stuck in a nursery with a nanny. I loved how Bennet and Celeste became more than friends despite their desire not to wed. Love finds a way! 

~The Holly and The Ivy by Rita Gerlach 

A very sweet Christmas love story. Lily and Andrew have been writing each other for a year. In the beginning, was about some old letters but as time went on, things became more personal but she only signed her letters with an L. He comes to lecture at the Smithsonian Institute where Lily faints. He sees that she gets home and after much discussion, he realizes who she is. I loved Lily's parents. The secret is very touching and Lily gets her longtime wish. 

~Love Brick by Brick by Kathleen L. Maher 

Misunderstandings and other confusions keep Rufus and SarahAnn apart. Love, however, does find its way. I can't imagine bringing a house in pieces from England to New York. Rufus will do anything to make sure his ailing mother is happy. SarahAnn goes above and beyond in caring for her too. A very nice story with a bit of mystery regarding the elder Mr. Sedgewick too. 

~A Christmas Promise by Gabrielle Meyer 

Their late mother's agreement forces Christopher and Ashleigh to be in the same place at the same time. Neither one wants to marry. But...The child she disliked most in the world had somehow become the man she adored. A sweet story! 

~The Sugarplum Ladies by Carrie Fancett Pagels 

A wonderful story! I loved how Percy and Eugenie meet then meet again. I loved the work Eugenie does with the war widows. With the help of Eugenie and her Sugarplum Ladies catering, what was going to be a lonely Christmas turned into a wonderful family & friends reunion. The ending was perfect! 

~Paper Snowflake Christmas by Vanessa Riley 

A dare. A kiss. A separation of hearts. Years later will the two hearts find forgiveness and love again? This was a bit heart wrenching to see a mother forced by her late husband's will to give up her son. I enjoyed this story. I loved what the Paper Snowflakes were made of, you will too. 

~Father Christmas by Lorna Seilstad 

I really liked this story. I did not like Fern Kent at all! She was a controlling, shrew of a mother-in-law. Blaming Beatrix for her death the death of her son and more. UGH! I loved little Clara and her father Hugh. He was such a sweet gentle, man. He did so much to help Beatrix. How she helped him pick out a doll for his daughter's Christmas gift was so sweet. Mean old Fern stirs up trouble. Will the truth bring healing and love? I loved the Christmas in this story. 

~A Perfect Christmas by Erica Vetsch 

This truly was a perfect Christmas! I love how the author used Charles Dicken's "A Christmas Carol" in Melisande's window design and in Gray's heart. I was happy with the ending but would love to read more of Melisande and Gray's story as well as see what becomes of Vonetta in the future. 

As you can see, I really do love this collection!

GIVEAWAY: A copy of the paperback of  The Victorian Christmas Brides Collection autographed by Carrie (and maybe even a couple more authors!) Answer this question to enter: What's your favorite thing about Victorian era Christmases that you've read about?

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. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

Purchase links:

Christian Book Distributors  

Barnes & Noble   

Amazon 

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. 

Books of the Year List by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Novel of the Year
Brentwoods' Ward by Michelle Griep

Debut Novel of the Year

Debut Christian fiction of the Year

Sword of Forgiveness by Debbie Lynne Costello

Other Favorite Books of the Year

SERIES that I can't wait to read so I've used my Kindle!

As Love Blooms by Lorna Seilstad

FABULOUS Series by Lorna Seilstad!

In Good Company by Jen Turano
Another Fabulous Series!

After a Fashion also by Jen Turano

To Win Her Favor

by Tamera Alexander

Also part of a fabulous series!

NOVELLAS of the Year

Novellas of the Year

 To Mend a Dream by Tamera Alexander
(Also available in audiobook format) This is part of a collection but available individually.

Bibliotherapy Novella of the Year

Tobogganing for Two by Darlene Franklin

Other Novellas of the Year

The Skiing Suitor by Niki Turner

Part of the "A Love's Sporting Chance" collection from Forget-Me-Not Books

With This Kiss Historical Collection

His Beloved Bride by Ruth Logan Herne and  
Grace Like Rain by Julie Lessman 

(The entire With This Kiss Historical Collection was lovely!)

Novella Collection of the Year - Most Eligible Bachelor from Barbour. All of the novellas in this collection are wonderfully done and I read all of them! This is my favorite of all the Barbour collections I have read to date! 

In this collection DEBUT Novella of 2015: Susie Dietze, Love's Reward 

• The Highwayman by Shannon McNear
• Four Brides And A Bachelor by Gabrielle Meyer
• Baker's Dozen by Gina Welborn

• A Doctor's Agreement by Cynthia Hickey
• The Final Baker Bride by Kathleen Y'Barbo
• The Most Ineligible Bachelor In Town by Connie Stevens
• A Bride For A Bargain by Amanda Barratt
• Archeologist's Find- by Erica Vetsch

Other lovely collections with great stories by talented authors (Some of these I read while recovering from major surgery in the spring and enjoyed so much!) 

The Convenient Brides a great collection which includes wonderful novellas like those by Gabrielle Meyer - "A Groom for Josette," and Erica Vesch - "A Bride for Bear," stories from Andrea Boeschaar, Jennifer Uhlarik, Melissa Jagears' great story with "mature" characters and more!

Homestead Brides was SO GOOD!!! Wonderful novellas from some great authors!  A delightful collection. Ruth Logan Herne's "Prairie Promises" and Carla Olson Gade's "Proving Up" were two of my favorites, but all were so well done. One of the most moving tales was written by DiAnn Mills. Add in Pam Hillman's, Mary Connealy's, Erica Vetsch's, Kathleen Y'Barbo's, Darlene Franklin's and Becca Whitham's novellas and you have many novellas to keep you busy reading enjoyably for a long time!

I have to include the 2015 collection Christmas Traditions (Forget-Me-Not Romances, July 2015) because even though I am in it with The Fruitcake Challenge, I don't want to omit all the wonderful stories and authors in this collection, which stayed at the #1 spot on Amazon for anthologies for a long time and on the top #5 through Christmas. It includes a new 2015 novella by Angela Breidenbach plus wonderful stories by Cynthia Hickey, Gina Welborn (who spearheaded the collectin), Patty Smith Hall, Niki Turner, Darlene Franklin, and Jennifer AlLee.

GIVEAWAY: Paperback copy of Brentwood's Ward by Michelle Griep and another winner will receive Ebook or paperback (USA only unless available on BD) of choice of any of these books! Answer these questions: How many of these books were on your favorites list and which are you most yearning to read?  If you are like me there are probably many books you didn't get to read this year that you hope to catch up on!

Lorna Seilstad's As Love Blooms - Reviewed by Carrie Fancett Pagels

As Love Blooms by Lorna Seilstad

FIVE STARS *****

Another sigh-worthy book, As Love Blooms (Revell, 2015), in the Gregory Girls Series by Lorna Seilstad.

LOVED all three of these books. I RECOMMEND them as a SUMMER READS COLLECTION and they are going into my favorites collection, too!

As Love Blooms is the youngest Gregory sister's story. Tessa Gregory is blessed with an abundance of imagination, talent, energy, and tenacity! She has spunk and personality plus! But what she wants, after completing two years of her Horticultural Science program, is to work in her profession and to help redesign the fabulous Como Park where she lives in Minnesota. Unfortunately, Mr. Nussbaum, the supervisor of the park will never hire a woman. Well, Tessa thinks like I do--never say never! So she finds a way to still do her work. That "way" involves a handsome gardner named Reese King who she talks into allowing her to masquerade (in male attire) as her assistant.

Tessa and Reese have a lot in common. They also have secrets that could tear their fledgling relationship apart. Set in the turn of the century in Minneapolis, Lorna Seilstad sets the stage perfectly against the backdrop of tension in political positions and relationships between men and women. The secondary romance between Tessa's "Aunt" and the senator was especially well done and bittersweet. Lovely layers to this story. Also enjoyed "catching up" with her sister's stories in those threads!

Como Park and Zoo, Conservatory, in Minneapolis

Highly recommend!!! As Love Blooms will be on my BEST of 2015 list!!!

Giveaway: We're giving away one paperback copy of this new release this week. Leave a comment to enter and also Follow my Turn of the Century Pinterest Page (click here) for an extra entry!

Carrie's Favorite Christian Fiction Reads for 2014

At the Edge of a Dark Forest
OWG Bibliotherapy Book of the Year

Surprised by Love, by Julie Lessman

While Love Stirs

A Match of Wits by Jen Turano

The books are listed in no particular order but I do have a favorite novel for 2014 and that story is by Caryl McAdoo and the reason is because she's one of the few authors whose "voice" seems so very similar to my own and I really enjoyed the story and characters in Vow Unbroken. All of these novels, however, are STELLAR!!! Several, too, were strong contenders for bibliotherapy book of the year! Elizabeth Camden's and Elizabeth Byler Younts's, in particular! I haven't yet reviewed Elizabeth's on the OWG blog but hope to remedy that omission soon.


 
There were SO many WONDERFUL novellas and short stories out in 2014 and I reviewed quite a few. I didn't feel I could do them justice by pulling out individual stories but I may come back later and do a recap of my fave collections for 2014 because I loved a whole bunch of them, especially the Christmas ones! I have included one novella because it is my Bibliotherapy Book of the Year - Connie Almony's Beauty and the Beast story about PTSD and addiction as well as recovery and rehab for a wounded vet. Beautifully done and a DEBUT book!!!

I'll also be announcing the Angels' Heart winner for 2014. Last year that honor went to Julie Lessman, which disqualifies her for the next five years.  We have three nominees right now from the OWG bloggers and will be deciding soon.

Why no audiobook category? In 2014 I had surgery on my heel. I had a torn Achilles tendon and other issues that had to be repaired. I listened to some audiobooks but I also ended up reading a great many with my eyes instead of listening. Love my Kindle!!!  One audiobook I suggest you avoid is the one for Tamera Alexander's LOVELY novel A Beauty so Rare because the narrator is so poor she ruins the beautiful story. Wonderful book so just read it on your Kindle or ereader and set the font size to large. I have several audiobooks I haven't reviewed on the blog yet that I may add to the post for the novella collections. In general, though, I felt it wasn't a great year for audiobooks for Christian historical romance, which is what I primarily read (because that's what I also write.) But there were some very good ones and I'll get to those in a later post!

Question: What were some of YOUR faves for 2014?

Interview with Lorna Seilstad by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Author Lorna Seilstad

Would you tell us about the most difficult thing in your life you have had to overcome, with God’s help? 

Like most people, I’ve had a few periods of my life that I’d call difficult. I was blessed to be raised in a Christian home, so I’ve always sought God’s comfort and direction when those times have occurred.

Three weeks ago, my father went to his heavenly home. I’m sure he and my mom are having a wonderful reunion, but this time in my life has been especially difficult.

My mother died of colon cancer in 1996. I was 31, a young wife and mother, and the loss left a huge hole in my life. I remember very little of the six months following her death. I went through the actions, but it’s sort of a blur. A lot of prayers and a lot of tears. I’d cry in the bathtub, so if my five-year-old asked what was wrong, I could say I got soap in my eyes.

Although my father had been an insulin dependent diabetic for nearly 45 years, he died of chronic heart failure. He needed a new aortic valve, but wasn’t strong enough for open-heart surgery, and they don’t make a valve big enough for him to have TAVR (a new valve replacement procedure where they go in through your groin).

Since January, he’d been in the hospital four times, and my husband had been in once. Hospitals are not the most conducive places for writing, I can assure you, so with a book due June 1, I felt a lot of pressure.  I’ve clung to the verse, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on until it is completed.” (Phil. 1:6)

The doctor had given my dad two to six months, but he died only two weeks after hospice had been set up. Watching a loved one struggle to breathe is heart breaking, but I can’t even put into words how precious those moments were for me to say “I love you” one more time. It was also the last thing he said to me. I think the hardest part of both of their deaths was telling them it was time to go when everything inside of me wanted to scream Don’t leave me.

My grief is fresh right now. There’s a special ache knowing both of your parents are gone. I know from my mother’s death that eventually the painful moments will come at great intervals like when you drop a pebble into the water, and the rings get farther and farther apart.

As I press on toward my writing goal, I continue to cling to that verse.  My stories come from God, they’ve always been His, and He will carry them on to completion. When your heart is hurting and your mind spinning, that’s great news with a looming deadline.

While Love Stirs

Disability friendliness: Is this latest release available in audio format or do you have any other works available on audio?  Do your e-books have audio capability? Do you have any in large print? 

My e-books are audio capable. I wish I had them available in large print and in audio format, but I don’t yet. I get a lot of requests for large print, though, and I always suggest using a Kindle or Nook where you can make the print larger.

In this latest work, do you have any topics useful for bibliotherapy, or therapeutic influence through reading about a disorder or situation? 

I’d like to think so. Anyone with control issues would relate to Charlotte and Joel’s struggles. Their healing comes through faith and trust in God. Charlotte also lost her parents when she was only 17. This is key to the choices she makes today.

The hero, Joel, has mild OCD. I don’t know if reading about him would be therapeutic or not.  I modeled him after a friend who I’ve always admired for the way he laughs at himself. We used to go in his office and turn his ships around. He’d fix them within minutes of entering the room and just laugh.

Joel grew up with a father who had a debilitating injury which caused chronic pain. His father self-medicated. This all happened during a time period where people didn’t understand those kinds of injuries. Joel heard their hurtful comments and it affected him greatly.

Giveaway: Choice of any of Lorna's books, choice of format, to one commenter.

While Love Stirs by Lorna Seilstad, Reviewed by Carrie Fancett Pagels

While Love Stirs



Lorna Seilstad Cooks up a Great Read!!!

I received this book from Net Galley as a download and I'll be purchasing a copy, also. This would make a GREAT summer read! I did not read the first Gregory sisters book but did after I read this book.  I would recommend reading them in order. The first book was wonderful, too!

Charlotte is a Fanny Farmer Cooking School graduate who was previously in a relationship with an extremely controlling young man. She wants nothing to do with someone remotely like him.  Enter Dr. Joel, who is an alpha male all the way, with a dose of OCD thrown in. Reading this book was like enjoying a perfectly prepared banquet!

I am guessing younger sister, Tessa, might be getting her own book because she had a storyline in this one doing clerical work/actress/detective!

This is a turn of the century Christian historical romance set in Minnesota. There is not a huge spiritual arc for either of the main characters but I liked that their faith was strong and got them through their difficulties.

Bibliotherapy elements: Jealousy (by two competitors), danger from natural disasters and from manmade ones, not letting the past rule the future, some OCD elements with the doctor, nutrition, and I think in one of the jealous situations the heroine was using her head and not the Holy Spirit to guide her but I also think that antagonist had to stay in as a plot element, and that was used as a spiritual element to show just because you "think" something is the Christian thing to do it isn't always so.  Another bibliotherapy element well done was the heroine having two suitors, one who would have been "settling" for less than God's best for her.


Highly recommend! Don't plan on getting anything else done while you are reading this book--it is a real page turner!!!

Here's the link to purchase Volumes 1 and 2 of the Gregory Sisters on CBD.

Here's a link to my 5 star review of book 1 in this series on goodreads.


Giveaway: A Copy of While Love Stirs, Leave a comment.