In the past, I’ve not been the biggest fan of novella collections. I’ve not read many, honestly. Sometimes they just seem too short – for lack of a better word. I’m often left wanting a bit more – more story, depth, and time with the characters. I was first introduced to Among The Fair Magnolias and its sweeping cover after reading Tamera Alexander’s To Win Her Favor. I discovered a secondary character from that novel was going to have her own story in this novella collection. I went in search of a copy to read and I’m so glad I did. These four Southern love stories delivered enjoyable hours of easy reading.
It’s no mystery to those who know me that I love the Southern setting and history. There’s a lot of beauty in the details and these stories covered them well. Each one focuses on different perspectives, issues, and people surrounding the Civil War. Some are set before the war and others after it, giving readers a broader experience.
The romances were unique, sweet and easy-to-read. Predictable and yet not so predictable, if you know what I mean. I had to keep reading to find out just how these couples were going to find true love. 😉 And that’s always fun!
I was only familiar with the heroine from Tamera’s novella, but I believe each author incorporated characters and/or settings drawn from their other works. I think that’s something reading fans will enjoy. The stories really did draw me into their world and that southern soil of theirs.
It was nice to read more from familiar favorite authors and discover a few new-to-me authors as well. Maybe novellas aren’t so bad after all. 😉
Thank you to BookLook Bloggers for providing a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
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ABOUT THE BOOK:
In the most turbulent decade of our nation’s history, four Southern women–destinies forged by birth, hearts steeled by war–face near impossible choices on their journeys in life . . . and in love.To Mend a Dream by Tamera Alexander
Savannah Darby would do almost anything to revisit her family home. So when new owner, Aidan Bedford, a Boston attorney and former Union soldier, seeks to redecorate the house for his fiancée, Savannah jumps at the opportunity. But the clock is ticking. Can she find the box her father supposedly hid there during the war before her assignment is completed? And before she sees yet another battle lost on the home front. This time, one of the heart.
An Outlaw’s Heart by Shelley Gray
When Russell Stark returns to Fort Worth, he’s determined to begin a new life. But when he arrives at his mother’s homestead, he discovers she’s very ill, and the woman he loved is still as beautiful and sweet as he remembered. With time running out, Russell must come to terms with both his future and his past.
A Heart So True by Dorothy Love
Abigail knows all too well what is expected of her: to marry her distant cousin Charles and take her place in society. But her heart belongs to another. A terrible incident forces Abby to choose between love and duty.
Love Beyond Limits by Elizabeth Musser
Emily has a secret: She’s in love with one of the freedmen on her family’s plantation. Meanwhile, another man declares his love for her. Emily realizes some things are not as they seem and secrets must be kept in order to keep those she loves safe.
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ABOUT Tamera Alexander:
Tamera Alexander is the USA Today bestselling author of numerous books, including A Lasting Impression, A Beauty So Rare, To Whisper Her Name, and From a Distance. Her richly drawn characters and thought-provoking plots have earned her devoted readers worldwide, as well as multiple industry awards.
These awards include two Christy Awards for Excellence in Christian fiction (and seven finalists), two RITA awards for Best Inspirational Romance, three Gayle Wilson Awards of Excellence, two Bookseller’s Best Awards, and being listed among Library Journal’s Top Christian Fiction, among others.
After living in Colorado for seventeen years, Tamera has returned to her Southern roots. She and her husband now make their home in Nashville where they enjoy life with their two adult children who live nearby, and Jack, a precious—and precocious—silky terrier.
For more, visit her at www.tameraalexander.com.
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ABOUT Shelley Gray:
Shelley Gray is the author of The Heart of a Hero series. Her Amish novel (written as Shelley Shepherd Gray) The Protector recently made the New York Times bestseller list. A native of Texas, she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Colorado and taught school for ten years. She and her husband have two children and live in southern Ohio.
For more, visit her at www.shelleyshepardgray.com.
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ABOUT Dorothy Love:
A native of west Tennessee, Dorothy Love makes her home in the Texas hill country with her husband and their golden retriever. An award-winning author of numerous young adult novels, Dorothy made her adult debut with the Hickory Ridge novels. For more, visit www.dorothylovebooks.com
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ABOUT Elizabeth Musser:
Elizabeth Musser writes “Entertainment with a soul” from her writing chalet – toolshed – outside Lyon, France. Elizabeth’s highly acclaimed, bestselling novel The Swan House was named one of Amazon’s Top Christian Books of the Year and one of Georgia’s Top Ten Novels of the Past 100 Years ( Georgia BackRoads, 2009 ). All of Elizabeth’s novels have been translated into multiple languages. Two Destinies, the final novel in the Secrets of the Cross trilogy, was a finalist for the 2013 Christy Award.
For over twenty-five years, Elizabeth and her husband, Paul, have been involved in missions work with International Teams.
The Mussers have two sons, a daughter-in-law, and three grandchildren.
For more, visit her at www.elizabethmusser.com.
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I have felt the same way about novellas and Love Inspired books. But sometimes there is a great story packed in that tiny package 🙂
You’re exactly right, Danielle. I definitely recommend this one. Hope you like it as much as I did!
I love novellas even though they might seem predictable. I have found each one to have unique twists to them. Thank you for the review.
Thanks for stopping by and reading my review, Robin. I’m sure you’d enjoy this novella too! 😉
I too have been reticent about reading collections of novellas, but they have definitely improved over time. So glad to know that this collection is worth the reading time.
I’m glad you could swing by, Rebecca. I hope you’ll check this story out. I’d love to hear your thoughts on it. 🙂