Monday, August 6, 2018

Calico Ball (A Timeless Western Collection) {Review}

https://amzn.to/2M4HJ4z
Calico Ball (Timeless Western Collection)
Kindle Edition, 283 pages
Published July 10th 2018 by Mirror Press 
Source: I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.
 https://amzn.to/2M4HJ4z   https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40132746-calico-ball
THE KEEPER OF THE WESTERN DOOR by Carla Kelly
When Mary Blue Eye travels to Wyoming Territory with her friend to help her settle into her new married life at Fort Laramie, Mary is treated more like a servant than the friend she thought she was. Thankfully, she finds a new friend in Sergeant Blade, though Mary fears that her Seneca Indian heritage will keep a man like Blade from truly caring for her. Soon Mary is tasked with making fourteen calico dresses in two weeks, and Blade turns out to be the best ally she could ever ask for.

A CONVENIENT ARRANGEMENT by Sarah M. Eden
Patrick Quinn needs a wife. Hiring maids who leave within weeks to marry another fellow in a female-scarce Wyoming town hasn’t been helpful. Quinn needs a woman who will stay. When he writes to a mail-order bride service, and four-foot-eleven Mirabelle Smith shows up, they agree to each attend to their own duties and tasks. Their marriage will be a convenient arrangement for them both. But sometimes the heart has other ideas.

ISABELLA’S CALICO GROOM by Kristin Holt
Dr. Henry Merritt is desperate for dental patients, especially since Dr. Isabella Pattison arrived in the growing town of Evanston in the Wyoming Territory. It seems the female patients want a woman’s touch, and the male patients are quite fond of a pretty dentist. But if Henry doesn’t find a way to put Isabella out of business, his own practice will go under. When Isabella proposes that they team up together, and Henry gets to know her, he discovers the last thing he wants is for Isabella to leave.
My Review: 4 Stars
I always love to read these collections because I know I'll get a couple of fun, sweet stories. I must admit--I hadn't ever head of calico balls before reading this book and it was so much fun to learn more about those and see how the balls each played into the different stories.
THE KEEPER OF THE WESTERN DOOR delivered a tender story of a woman who is part Native American and how she tried to fit into the Wyoming territory. I enjoyed the descriptions of the sewing activities, especially as she had to make 14 dresses in just two weeks. It was so sweet to read about Mary Blue Eyes and the way she was able to find love.
I'm always up for a marriage-of-convenience and A CONVENIENT ARRANGEMENT delivered a charming tale of a mail-order bride. Mirabelle arrives in a tiny package, standing at only 4'11", but she sure has a powerful personality. I loved the way she was able to make a place for herself in this family and society in Wyoming in the 1880s. Her story is a touch heart-wrenching, but is so naive and sweet.
I love the way that Kristin Holt writes such strong and independent female leads. In ISABELLA'S CALICO GROOM, Isabella is a dentist and has a way of working with reluctant patients, much to Henry's surprise. I really enjoyed the way these two work together and learn about each other, which squashes some prejudices. 
Each story is sweet and portrays the Wild West in an endearing way. I'm looking forward to more in the Western Collection.
Content: mild romance

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