Overcoming With God: Niki Turner

Please note: The authors on these websites have until MIDNIGHT to post their column, per Celebrate Lit's policies, so if the post isn't there then try later, thanks! Also, I will be trying to update this list with the direct permalink to the posts as most of these are simply to the bloggers' websites.

The authors from The Blue Ribbon Brides Collection will be popping by the blogs. With every ten unique visitors to each blog, there will be a giveaway of a copy of our new release! So be sure to comment on each blog!

There is also a Grand Prize giveaway! (Click here for a link to the Celebrate Lit page to enter!)

We're also having a Celebrate Lit Facebook Party this Thursday, November 4th, 7-8 pm Eastern Time. (Note time is listed in Pacific time on the page. Click here to indicate you will attend.)

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 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!

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.

24 January 2016

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!

03 November 2015

The Skiing Suitor by Niki Turner - Reviewed by Carrie Fancett Pagels

The Skiing Suitor: A Love's Sporting Chance Novella
by Niki Turner
Forget-Me-Not Romances
Reviewed by Carrie Fancett Pagels
Five Stars *****

When the staid, but handsome, young Dr. Kelly arrives in town it is woefully apparent to Ruby that the poor man has no idea what he is in for, with a Colorado winter! And he certainly doesn't understand the wonderful function that skis can serve in getting around in such a snowy location. As far as her one true love--ski jumping--that is something she and he will never see eye-to-eye on. Or will they? Read this delightful novella to see!!!

The first six novellas in this collection are also now available for purchase and include stories from T.i. Lowe, Cynthia Hickey, Janice Thompson, Darlene Franklin, and Debbie Mayne as well as Niki Turner's wonderful story!

GIVEAWAY: An ebook copy to one of our readers, of The Skiing Suitor by Niki Turner! Answer this question: What is your favorite winter sport and why?

25 October 2015

Christmas Traditions 8-in-1 Collection - Guest Review by Tina Rice

Christmas Traditions
FIVE STARS *****
8 Christmas Novellas...Stories of Love at Christmas
by Jennifer AlLee, Angela Breidenbach, Darlene Franklin, Patty Smith Hall,
Cynthia Hickey, Carrie Fancett Pagels, Niki Turner and Gina Welborn

Reviewed by Tina St.Clair Rice, Guest Reviewer

1) A Nutcracker Christmas by Jennifer AlLee
Isabella Brandt is one of many ballerinas in the 1945 San Francisco Ballet Corps. She, like the others, are trying out for a coveted position in the upcoming performance of the Nutcracker.

Violinist Victor Randolf recently immigrated to America from Hungary and was fortunate to land a position in the Orchestra for the Ballet Corps. As Isabella and Victor work together they form a closeness neither of them expected. With Thanksgiving coming up, Isabella invites many of the ballerinas and Victor to her apartment. After the delicious Thanksgiving meal, they gather in the living room enjoying coffee and listening to Victor play his violin. An unexpected “guest” shows up, the last person Isabella expected to ever see again. Beyond shocked, Isabella can only stare while her other guests leave. What, how can this happen? What does this mean for her future?

I like the way Jennifer weaves her story and shows her characters feelings, challenges, past hurts, hopes, dreams and faith. Taking us backstage for a glimpse of the hard work it takes to produce a production like the Nutcracker and into their lives away from the stage.

2) Eleven Pipers Piping by Angela Breidenbach
(CFP: This NEW RELEASE novella was only published this fall. The other novellas and short stories originally released last year. Angela lost her father last year while the collection was being written.)

Mirielle Sheehan is the music teacher at an exclusive church school for boys in the 1890's frontier town of Helena, Montana. She is determined to help eleven abandoned young orphaned boys of various ages as they struggle to buy food and survive on their own as newsies—boys selling newspapers. However, the school superintendent has given her a choice: either turn these rowdy street boys into model citizens or they will get sold into indenture or sent to the military—within the week.

Evan Russell has been searching for his 6 year old son, Joseph, for sometime now. After his wife died, he left Joseph in his brother's care while he went away to work. However, Joseph is missing after a fire destroyed the home and family with it. Is Joseph alive somewhere? He has to be! Mirielle and Evan join forces to locate young Joesph with the help of the newsies. Will they be able to find Joseph or is he really gone? Praying for a miracle they enlist the citizens of Helena along with the newsies.

This is a sweet and endearing story. The 11 newsies certainly captured my heart and I so wanted them to find a safe, loving place to live...off the streets. Evan's heartbreaking search for his son had me in tears as he struggled to hold onto the hope that Joesph is still alive somewhere. I like Mirielle's spirit, compassion and dedication to these young boys. This is a story that will capture the hearts of the readers.

3) An Apple For Christmas by Darlene Franklin

Ruby Nelson is the new teacher at an all girls school in 1895 Vermont. She enjoys teaching these young girls, even the challenging ones. There are twin girls, Pippin and Margil, in her class that have captured Ruby's heart. The twins father, MacIntosh—Mac Cortland, owns an apple orchard he and his deceased wife started years earlier. Before moving from New York, Ruby's background was in agricultural science involving apples and is very interested in the Mac's apple orchard. She also finds her heart drawn to Mac.

It is fun that Mac and the twins are named after apples...which fits the story-line very well. Margil fell in love with Ruby right off but it took a little longer for Pippin. It was fun to watch the interaction between Ruby and Mac—some very humorous moments too. The twins were delightful and full of plans for their father and teacher. Will their plans turn out the way they hoped or will they fall far short?
An Apple for Christmas is full of humor, love, faith and apples—of course—making this a sweet story.

4) Christmas Lessons by Patty Smith Hall

As a child Claire Davenport learned she had Polo which left one of her legs weakened and her walking with a cane. Because of her disability, she broke off her engagement two years ago to the love of her life, Billy Warner.

After the broken engagement Billy leaves Marietta to pursue his dream of coaching football. Now back in Marietta, he accepts the head coach position at the school where Claire teaches. Claire learns he is back and will be working at the school at a staff meeting. Added to that, he will be helping Claire as she works to give Christmas to the needy families in the community.

Can Billy learn why Claire really broke their engagement? As they work together will they find that they still love each other? I like how the author shows that despite having a disability, it doesn't mean you can't live a full, active life...including love. Misunderstandings, insecurities, redemption, forgiveness, love and faith are woven to create a sweet story.

5) Handcarved Christmas by Cynthia Hickey

Laura Worth lived in a small town in Missouri with her parents and is the oldest of their 10 children. An advertisement in the town paper catches her eye for young single women to be brides for eligible men in Montana. With nothing to keep her in Missouri this seems like an answer to her prayers so she starts up a correspondence with a perspective groom, Benjamin Cooper, or Ben. After some time and prayer she concludes that she is to be Ben's bride and travels the long way to Montana. Now she anxiously awaits her groom at the train station, peering out the window but only sees more snow falling, no groom in sight! What has happened to him? What should she do? Finally hiring a driver to take her the two hours ride to Ben's home she arrives and knocks on the door. Ben opens the door, puzzled why a young woman would be at his door step in the middle of a snow storm. He learns that she is to be his bride! Finding a note left by Ben's brother, Sam, explains that Laura is Sam's Christmas gift to Ben.

To protect her reputation Ben has no choice now but to marry her since they were alone all night. They return to town the next day and marry. Of course, things don't go as smoothly as they would like. Being strangers, they both have a lot to learn about each other and being married. As they work side by side, along with Sam, they learn to care for each other. Christmas is fast approaching and they each have their little secrets preparing for the holiday. What will Christmas bring to this couple?

Handcarved Christmas is a charming and sweet romance set in 1880 Montana where mail-order brides are common. I like the way the author shows the characters struggles as they learn to live together and care for each other, their strengths, weaknesses and faith. Great story!

6) The Fruitcake Challenge by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Our hero/heroin live and work near Mackinaw City in Northern Michigan's logging camp in 1890. Josephine-Jo Christy, daughter of the camp's owner, is the camps cook and longs to leave and find another life for herself. She has vowed to leave once this camp site moves on to the next camp site where the white pines they harvest are plentiful. Jo longs to marry and have a family but does not want to marry a lumberjack. Tom Jeffries is a teacher but teaching jobs are scarce and pay little, so he finds a job with the Christy logging camp as a lumberjack to support himself and his widowed mother.

Both Jo and Tom have prayed for God's leading in their lives and question His direction at times. Tom challenges Jo to bake a fruitcake like his mothers', if she does he will marry her. Jo takes up the challenge, not to marry him but to take him down a notch or two—he is way too cocky, and besides he is a lumberjack. But over the months as they get to know each other and Jo bakes one fruitcake after another that doesn't meet Tom's specifications, Jo begins to rethink baking yet one more fruitcake. Tom now has second thoughts on his challenge to Jo, he wants to marry her but not because of her baking a fruitcake. Things don't go smoothly as the deadline gets closer. Even though Jo's fruitcakes are not like Tom's mothers', each fruitcake she bakes spark romance in other unlikely couples.

I loved the sparks between Jo and Tom, each trying not to admit to themselves that there is an attraction. I like the way the author includes Jo and Tom's thoughts showing their uncertainty and how vulnerable they really are. The description of how remote the logging camp really is from the nearest town and the difficulty traveling back and forth gives us a glimpse of their way of life. Those in the camp are more like family than co-workers and rely on each other daily. No story would be complete without surprises, and this one includes some surprises along the way keeping the reader engrossed in the story. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and would like to see more of the characters in a follow-up story.

7) Sadie's Gift by Niki Turner

Sadie Hubbard is a nurse working in the local Preventorium in the early 1920's. She cares for children who have or have been exposed to Tuberculosis (TB). Her heart goes out to them and their families and wants to make each Christmas a very special one even if she has to sacrifice to do it.

Nathan Wells is a man on a mission, to return his recently deceased brother's car to his parents and then be left alone with his grief. As Sadie is walking across the icy street he swerves to avoid hitting her. Angry, he informs Sadie that she has to pay for repairs to the car.

Later when Sadie arrives at the boarding house in which she lives she runs into Nathan again as he is now staying there too until his car is repaired. Will they be able to get past their first meeting and work together for the children? Can Sadie's actions reveal the true Spirit of Christmas to Nathan? Can Nathan release his anger and grief?

This is a very touching Christmas novella in many ways, a bit of suspense, range of emotions, humor, romance, redemption and Spirituality. I love the way God's love is revealed through Sadie's heart and how she shares the true Spirit of Christmas.

8) Holly Daze by Gina Welborn

This is a charming short novella set in 1880's Iowa at Christmas time. This little town has a festival each year in which they continue years of superstition—the placing of a cherry twig into glasses of holy water by an unmarried maiden, Lena Reinhardt, to bring good fortune for that year. James Holly, an English paleontologist, is in Iowa for a geological survey at the time of the festival. While there one of his fossils is stolen, delaying his departure until it is found.

The character's struggles in this novella are clearly shown. Struggles that even Christians have— like Lena and James. I like how faith, forgiveness and redemption is addressed and opens the eyes to God's forgiveness and what it means for the believer. A bit of humor, faith, love and romance makes this a charming Christmas story.

THANKS TINA for the reviews!!!

GIVEAWAY: This #1 Amazon Bestseller in Christian Christmas stories continues to stay on the top five of the list even months after release! Now available in paperback, we're giving away a copy to one of our readers. (International winners ebook only.) Answer this question: Why do you read Christmas collections?

22 August 2015

Christmas Traditions Review - By Guest Angi Griffis

Christmas Traditions Series

Get Into the Christmas Spirit!

Guest Review by Angi Griffis

"Handcarved Christmas"-by Cynthia Hickey

Laura Worth has traveled all the way from Missouri to Montana to meet the man she intends to marry, Benjamin Cooper. The only thing is, she’s never met him, except through his letters. Laura’s excitement grows until the moment she arrives at his ranch and he opens the door…only to find that he knows nothing about her. Deciding that she can’t make the long trip back to Missouri, Benjamin agrees to marry her. But it’s going to take both of them a little time and a little getting used to being married. Cynthia Hickey has crafted a sweet, romantic Christmas story that’s sure to bring a smile to your face and a sigh to your heart.

"Sadie’s Gift"-by Niki Turner

Sadie Hubbard is a nurse at the local Preventorium, and desperately wants to give the resident children a special Christmas. But lack of funds makes it near impossible to fulfill her mission, causing her to resort to the only way she knows to make a little extra money. Taking her beloved family heirlooms to a pawn shop. Nathan Wells has suffered recent heartbreak and just wants everyone to leave him alone to his grief. When he and Sadie meet by accident, literally, Nathan must learn to get along with her since they are boarders in the same boarding house. As Christmas draws ever closer, will Sadie be able to help Nathan find the Spirit of Christmas again? A beautiful story by Niki Turner, reminding us what the true Spirit of Christmas is all about.

"The Fruitcake Challenge"-by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Jo Christy is tired of life in a lumber camp and wants to start a new one for herself in another location. Being the camp cook, she dreams of getting a job in a bakery and living on her own. But there’s a new man in camp and he’s determined to court her. Despite the fact that she gets annoyed with constant attention from the camp’s new lumberjack, she can’t help but feel drawn to his sweet nature. But when Tom Jeffries, said lumber jack, issues a challenge to her to make a fruit cake as good or better than his mother’s, sparks fly between the two. As Christmas approaches, it’s Tom’s desire to make Jo his wife…if only he can convince her. Carrie Fancett Pagels has written a sweet, fun Christmas story full of romance, humor, and hope. Get ready to snuggle under a blanket with a warm hot chocolate and a good book!

"An Apple For Christmas"-by Darlene Franklin

Ruby Nelson has quit her research position in New York to take a teaching position at the Spruce Hill Female Academy in Vermont, in the hopes that she can teach the young girls and help them to learn valuable skills they will need later in life. Even before the first day of school, she receives a visit from two of her students (twin sisters, Margil and Pippin) and their handsome father, MacIntosh “Mac” Cortland. Mac discovers that she is interested in horticulture and invites her to visit their apple orchard. In the weeks that follow, it doesn’t take long for the girls to warm up to Ruby. Deciding they would like her to become part of the family, they plan a scheme designed to get Ruby and Mac together and all it takes is ‘an apple for Christmas’.

"Christmas Lessons"-by Patty Smith Hall

For history teacher Claire Davenport, everything was going just fine. Her life, her job, and the Christmas project that she was working on to help the less fortunate families in their school district. That is until she’s coerced into a partnership to work on the project with the last man she wants to see. Her former fiancé, Billy Warner. And it doesn’t help that she feels self-conscious about the disability that caused her to break off their engagement in the first place. Coach Billy Warner has come back to his alma mater to teach history and coach the team. Backed into a corner, he reluctantly agrees to help Claire with the Christmas project. But still he wonders what triggered Claire to break their engagement two years before. As Christmas approaches, the two of them begin working closely together, and Billy is determined to find out what caused the breakup and hopefully win back the heart of the woman he loves, maybe in time for Christmas.

"Nutcracker Christmas"-by Jennifer Allee

Isabella Brandt loves the Ballet. For years, she has dreamed of being the lead dancer in a major production. When a twist of events lands her the principal role in The Nutcracker and at the same time temporarily disables the accompanying pianist, she must rely on the music of an accomplished violinist from the San Francisco Ballet Company. A very handsome Hungarian violinist. Victor Randolph loves playing his violin in the orchestra. When a little accident causes him to cross paths with the lead ballerina in The Nutcracker, he never imagines that he would fall in love with her. Yet as the weeks progress, he finds himself drawn closer to her. But then a visit from a surprise caller stops Victor from telling her how much he cares for her. Now the only thing to get them through is the Lord and a Nutcracker Christmas.

CFP: Thanks, Angi!!! Great reviews!!!

We'll have reviews of Angela Breidenbach's Eleven Pipers Piping later on the blog! We're missing a review of Gina Wellborn's novella, also, which we'll be including in future reviews.

Giveaway: We have three ebook giveaways this week of this novella which PTL is now at #3 and was at #2 on Best Selling Holiday books on Amazon (right next to Debbie McComber's Christmas release!!!) We are THRILLED about this collection--get it while it is on sale! Over $20 worth of novellas for only 99 cents right now while on sale!!!

18 August 2015

Noela reviews the CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS Collection

Christmas Traditions

Christmas Traditions - Multiple Authors

Forget Me Not Romances (July 31, 2015)

Seven of the Eight Reviewed by Noela Nancarrow

5 Stars *****

8 Heart-warming Christmas Romance Short Stories

This is a Christmas bounty right here! Eight beautiful, heart-warming stories about Christmas traditions and the priceless gifts of new love and renewed faith, create a gift that is both a joy and a blessing to read.

Nutcracker Christmas by Jennifer Allee

This gorgeous story danced right off the pages and onto the stage of my imagination! Isabella is granted the principal role in the Nutcracker, and Victor is a violin player in the orchestra. But when Isabella receives a Christmas miracle, it might just spell the death of a dream for Victor. Beautiful, enthralling and magical!

An Apple for Christmas by Darlene Franklin

Don’t just give your teacher an apple, give her an orchard! This is a delectable apple-flavored story about a pretty school teacher, the widower Mac, his apple orchard, and his twin daughters Pippa and Margil. We share in Mac and the girls’ journey of moving forward past grief and anger and allowing love back in. Could one of Mac’s apples sweeten the girl’s teacher to become a part of their lives?

Christmas Lessons by Patty Smith Hall

Christmas can be a giver of lessons as well as gifts! History teacher Claire Davenport was surprised and dismayed to see Billy Warner stepping in as the new coach… the man she broke off an engagement to! Billy hopes to finally discover why she walked out of his life, because she still takes up residence in his heart. What will be the key to opening locked doors and allowing love in? Step back into class with this inspiring and melt-your-heart love story!

Handcarved Christmas by Cynthia Hickey

Cynthia Hickey carves out a festive story of warm Christmas traditions comprising of pines, presents, and secret plans! Benjamin’s brother stuns him by arranging a surprise bride to arrive at their Montana home after he’d left, leaving Ben no choice but to wed her. Wanting at first to strangle his brother, in short time he wanted to hug him. But Ben and his bride struggle with getting to know one another’s heart and wishes. Will Ben manage to carve out a Christmas to remember for them both?

The Fruitcake Challenge by Carrie Fancett Pagels

A well-educated and cocky lumberjack, a pretty camp cook who wants to leave, a spicy romance, and a nourishing spiritual message are just a handful of the ingredients making up this mouth-watering and engaging story! Tom Jeffries takes up a position as the new axeman of the logging camp. He becomes smitten with the boss’s daughter Jo, and carelessly proposes to marry her if she can bake a fruitcake as good as his mother’s. Will the cake deliver all of its promises? A delicious story!! (Also available individually as a paperback.)

Sadie’s Gift by Niki Turner

Always giving, Sadie has a heart as big as her state of Colorado. But this Christmas might just be Sadie’s turn to receive an unexpected gift! Sadie and Nathan got off on the wrong foot when Sadie inadvertently caused Nathan to have an accident in his brother’s car… the last thing he had of late brother. Nathan is furious and demands Sadie to pay! But how can she pay when she still has to buy Christmas gifts for the sick children of the Preventorium? So she runs away! This is a perfect, heart-warming Christmas story of selfless giving and sacrificial love.

Holly Daze by Gina Wellborn

This delightful story had me in a daze as I became lost within its pages that oozed of charm and atmosphere! Both James Holly, the geologist and world-traveled fossil hunter, and Lena, the pure toy-makers daughter and town’s good-luck charm, have personal battles and don’t feel they’re good enough for each other. As they overcome shameful thoughts, feelings of inadequacy, and superstitions, will James and Holly find the courage to shoot for their dreams?

Watch for an upcoming review of Eleven Pipers Piping, by Angela Breidenbach.

* * * * * * * * * *

GIVEAWAY: An E-book copy of Christmas Traditions PLUS an ebook copy of Lilacs for Juliana, Carrie's new release. We're giving away three copies of Lilacs for Juliana this week and three copies of Christmas Traditions as we celebrate these two new releases!

11 October 2014

Reviews by Guest Tina Rice - Christmas Traditions Novellas Books 2 & 4

http://www.amazon.com/APPLE-CHRISTMAS-Christmas-Traditions-Series-ebook/dp/B00O2BJ6BM/ref=pd_rhf_dp_p_img_9

AN APPLE FOR CHRISTMAS (Christmas Traditions Series Book 4)

Darlene Franklin

Ruby Nelson trades her job in the laboratory for teaching in a small girls’ school in Vermont. Twin sisters challenge her position—and their father captivates her imagination. Will the orchard grower graft Ruby onto his heart?

FIVE STARS *****

Review

Tina Rice

Ruby Nelson is the new teacher at an all girls school in 1895 Vermont. She enjoys teaching these young girls, even the challenging ones. There are twin girls, Pippin and Margil, in her class that have captured Ruby's heart. The twins father, Mac Cortland, owns an apple orchard he and his deceased wife started years earlier. Ruby is very interested in the apple orchard as she has worked with apples before moving from New York. She also finds her heart drawn to Mac.

I enjoyed this novella very much. Loved the way Ruby and Mac interacted and the twins were delightful.

*****

Sadie's Gift (Christmas Traditions Novella, Book 2)

by Niki Turner

Colorado Springs, 1921 — Nurse Sadie Hubbard wants to give the children at the preventorium a wonderful Christmas. Heartbroken Nathan Wells hopes to return to Chicago and mourn his brother's death alone. When an accident brings them together, their plans for the holiday collide. Will they find a way to work together in the spirit of Christmas?