Pleasance's First Love by Kristin Holt {Review}

Pleasance's First Love (Grandma's Wedding Quilts #5) by Kristin Holt

Kindle Edition, 149 pages

Published January 13th 2017 by Kristin Holt, LC

Colorado, 1878
His worst mistake was letting her go.
His second-worst mistake? Bringing her home.

No one will ever know how badly Pleasance Benton's abandonment threw Jacob Gideon. He landed hard, hard enough he didn't care to find a replacement. Now that he needs a woman, he figures the safest way is to order one from a catalog.

Pleasance is back to reclaim her rightful place at Jacob's side. One way or another she'll remind him theirs is a match made in heaven...once the shock wears off. The teensy-weensy problem? Jacob doesn't know that she--his first love--is his catalog bride.
PLEASANCE'S FIRST LOVE is a sweet and wholesome western historical mail order bride romance novella. This title is Book 6 in the multi-author series Grandma's Wedding Quilts, but is also Book 3 in the Six Brides for Six Gideons Series. Jacob Gideon is one of the six Gideon brothers separated when they were young, and as this is the first story in which the men make inroads toward finding each other, there is no need to read the other titles in this series first.

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My Review: 5 Stars

This historical romance is a first love, second chances delight. Although there are about four years age difference between Pleasance and Jacob, the neighbors fall in love as teens, through an unconventional courtship, thanks to their mothers.

I recently saw a quote that said, "It's better to look back and say 'I can't believe I did that,' than to look back and say, 'I wish I did that.'" Pleasance has an amazing singing voice/talent and wants to take a few years to train and use it. So Jacob lets her go. I get it--he's older and ready to settle down, but this couple could've used a few lessons in communication. When she's ready to come back, she poses as a mail-order bride--for Jacob--without him knowing it's her. Let the fun and games begin.

The characters come to life as they each come to terms with their past and their future. Through a series of misunderstandings, hard work, and attraction, Pleasance and Jacob deliver a fun, sweet story. I love how the grandma's wedding quilt fits into things, as well as the quiet support of Tuck, Jacob's foreman. This one's a hit!

Content: mild romance

*I won a copy in a giveaway, which did not affect my opinion at all.*

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Buy Link:

About the Author:

Kristin Holt, USA Today Bestselling Author writes Sweet Victorian Romance set in the American West. She writes frequent articles about the nineteenth century American west--every subject of possible interest to readers and amateur historians. She contributes monthly to Sweet Romance Reads, Sweet Americana Sweethearts, and Romancing the Genres.

~ Sweet Romance Appropriate for All Audiences ~

Sophia's Leap-Year Courtship by Kristin Holt {Blog Tour Review + Giveaway}

Sophia's Leap-Year Courtship by Kristin Holt



Union Pacific Station Agent Chadwick Hughes has everything in a state of readiness to welcome his mail order bride…everything but the bride. The woman he’s corresponded with for a year didn’t change her mind or miss her train in Omaha—she never existed. Chadwick’s mortified to discover he’s been swindled by a fraudulent matrimonial agency in Chicago. He needs a lawyer if he’ll ever recover a dime of the fortune he spent on worthless membership fees and the nonexistent bride’s transportation west.

Sophia Sorensen, Attorney at Law, is a spinster on the edge of propriety. The good people of Wyoming Territory are open to a lot of things, including Lady’s Privilege during Leap Years, but some aren’t fond of her day-to-day behavior. Why, the woman rides her bicycle hither and yon, showing her petticoat ruffle and ankles. She might be the least ladylike specimen beneath Wyoming skies, but it’s entertaining to watch her court the U.P. Station Agent, Chadwick Hughes, the most-eligible bachelor in the county.

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My Review: 5 Stars

I love an unconventional character such as Sophia. She's sassy; she's spunky; and she's a woman living a man's dream in the late 1880s.

I have so many thoughts about this book--did people really scam the mail-order bride business? That's not something I've ever considered before and when Chadwick's bride fails to show up, he hires the Lady Lawyer, Sophia, to help him figure out why.

Is this leap-year courtship thing real? How fascinating--every leap year, the women get to take charge of the relationships and that arrangement suits Sophia to a T. I love the way she and Chadwick come together in a delightfully sweet and romantic tale that is full of nagging nuisances, mainly in the form of the local newspaper--it sure stirs up trouble. Are most small-town rags back then so gossipy? I got a kick out of it, but sure wondered how in the world that reporter figured out his information.

All in all, this is a charming read with great, quick-witted characters that aren't afraid of swoon and throwing societal rules to the wind.

Content: mild, swoony romance

*I received a copy, but all thoughts and opinions are my own and not influenced by this.*

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Buy Link:

About the Author:

Kristin Holt, USA Today Bestselling Author writes Sweet Victorian Romance set in the American West. She writes frequent articles about the nineteenth century American west--every subject of possible interest to readers and amateur historians. She contributes monthly to Sweet Romance Reads, Sweet Americana Sweethearts, and Romancing the Genres.

~ Sweet Romance Appropriate for All Audiences ~

Website

http://www.kristinholt.com/

Twitter

https://twitter.com/KHoltAuthor

Facebook author page

https://www.facebook.com/KristinHoltSweetVictorianWesternRomance/?pnref=lhc

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Tour Schedule

Feb. 27 Heidi Reads / Bookworm Lisa / Donna Fasano

Feb. 28 Singing Librarian Books / Peggy Urry / Shanna Hatfield

March 1 Wishful Endings / LDS Writer Mom / Getting Your Read On

March 2 My Book a Day / Milou Koenings / Mel’s Shelves / Literary Time Out / Margaret Daley

March 3 Katie’s Clean Book Collection / Smiling Book Reviews / Magdalena Scott /

Melanie Sniter / Bubble Bath Books

A Timeless Romance Anthology: Mail Order Bride Collection {Review and Giveaway}

A Timeless Romance Anthology: Mail Order Bride

ebook, 315 pages

Published February 9th 2015 by Mirror Press 

**Amazon #1 Bestselling series in Clean Romance**

Six Award-Winning Authors have contributed new stories to A Timeless Romance Anthology: Mail Order Bride Collection. Six historical romance novellas set in the Old West.

WRITTEN IN HER HEART, a charming novella by Stacy Henrie, Georgeanna is getting desperate. She can’t fund her favorite orphanage unless she marries and secures the rest of her inheritance left by her father. But her father’s financial planner, Clay, can't understand why she's not content with her current situation. Georgie determines to send out a notice as a mail order bride to attract suitors who won’t know her financial situation. Little does she know, Clay takes up the pen and sends her letters of his own under an assumed name. After years of working for Georgie’s father, Clay realizes he isn’t ready to watch her marry another, not when his heart is already claimed by her.

In Kristin Holt’s delightful novella WANTED: MIDWIFE BRIDE Dr. Naomi Thornton thinks she has it all: a beautiful house, a loving husband, and a fulfilling career. But when everything she holds dear is ripped away, Naomi has no choice but to start over. What will she find in the wild and untamed Wyoming Territory? Dr. Joe Chandler has waited years for a wife with the knowledge, skills, and tender heart he yearns for in a medical colleague and lifetime companion. When a midwife arrives with more expertise and secrets than he counted on, Joe quickly discovers there’s more to love and marriage than a simple mail order contract.

In THE SOUND OF HOME, a captivating novella by Annette Lyon, Marilyn is given the choice of either marrying the despicable Victor or being charged with a murder she didn’t commit. Refusing to believe that either is her fate, she finds a third option: she answers a mail order bride advertisement and boards a train to Wyoming to wed a man named Harry. Moments after her arrival, she learns that Harry isn’t who he seemed to be, and the advertisement turns out to be a giant mistake. Harry’s brother Thomas agrees to let her stay until she can figure out what to do next—after all, she simply cannot return to New York—but Marilyn quickly finds herself developing feelings for Thomas.

In Sarah M. Eden’s endearing novella FOR BETTER OR WORSE Gerald Smith, on the advice of his well-meaning neighbors, has decided it’s time to change his lonely existence. Mary Hill, on the advice of her empty pocketbook and non-existent roof over her head, has decided it’s time to secure herself a future. A mail-order marriage, they both realize, is no guarantee of happiness, but it is a risk they are willing to take. However, coming face to face on the train platform, the hapless couple discovers an unexpected truth: marriage to a perfect stranger is sometimes far preferable to the prospect of a lifetime with someone you used to know.

Heather B. Moore’s sweet novella THE INCONVENIENT BRIDE sees Carmela traveling from Boston to Colorado, eager to meet the man she’s been corresponding with and will soon marry. Her brother’s new marriage leaves little room for Carmela in her old life. Upon arrival in Leadville, she faces a rude awakening, and the only one who can understand her predicament is her fiance’s brother, Samuel. But Samuel can’t possibly help her out of an awkward situation, can he? It would be better for all if she returns immediately to Boston and pretends she never traveled to Colorado in the first place.

THE PRICE OF SILVER, an engaging novella by Siân Ann Bessey, Katie leaves New York for Idaho to marry Jake, a man she’s written to a couple of times. But when she steps off the train, his brother Caleb is there to greet her. Jake has gone to take a mining job he couldn’t pass up. Caleb takes Katie back to the family ranch to wait for Jake’s return. The more Caleb gets to know Katie, the more he envies his brother, but he can’t let his heart overrule his head unless Jake changes his mind about his intended bride.

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My Review: 5 Stars

I always love these anthologies because I get a similar theme with a taste of six different authors, which makes for a lot of enjoyable reading sessions. Each story can be read in a sitting, allowing for a snippet here and there, or all together. Sometimes when I read similar types of stories, I get tired of them, but these are just the right length and the right amount of stories in each collection.

There is NO way I would ever be a mail order bride. Okay, so I'd have to be very desperate to do it. There are too many risks involved, as some of these women found themselves sent for by men who weren't competent, left town before she arrives, died, or other various things. These men left to pick up the pieces are all great men and true gentlemen, if a little rough around the edges, but there are men out there, as seen in some of the stories, who are downright scary! That said, I do love the idea of being "forced" into a relationship and finding the adding bonus of falling in love, which makes me think of the quote, "Choose your love; love your choice."

It's so hard to choose a favorite story! I love how each story plays out, leaving me to swoon at the romance, cheer for the couples, and enjoy the descriptive settings, as they all take place in the wild west. This collection is on my favorites list!

Content: some have a few non-graphic moments of peril and/or violence; mild romance (kissing). Clean!

*I received a copy in exchange for an honest review*

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Buy Links:

  

Timeless Romance Anthology Facebook page   || Timeless Romance Anthology Blog 

Giveaway:

  

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Tour Schedule:

Feb. 29: Heidi Reads / Bookworm Lisa / Bubblebath Books / LDS Writer Mom

March 1: Peggy Urry / Brooklyn Berry Designs

March 2: My Book a Day / Aimee Brown / Mel's Shelves

March 3: Rachel Stark / Katie's Clean Book Collection

March 4: Singing Librarian Books / Why Not? Because I Said So / Wishful Endings 

A Christmas Rose by Brandi Boddie {Review and Two Giveaways}

A Christmas Rose 

by Brandi Boddie

Source: I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review
My Rating: 5 Stars



Description:

Rosalie Chalmers is in dire straits after losing her job as a ladies maid and grieving over the death of her dear aunt. Figuring she has nothing left to lose, she responds to an inquiry for a mail order bride service and makes the long journey from Maine to Angel Vale, Wyoming. She hopes she can start anew out west. But she learns quickly that the harsh frontier may not be the place for her after all.

Isaac Baker is happy to be matched with the lovely Rosalie. As the only black man in Angel Vale, he nearly gave up hope of finding a wife. Yet despite his efforts to make Rosalie feel at home, she remains withdrawn and unhappy. Will they have a true marriage by Christmas or will his new wife leave him for good?

My Review:

I love the premise of a mail order bride and this one is unique. Isaac was a slave child, who is hardworking and making his way in life in Wyoming. Rosalie needs a change in her life, since she's lost her job and has no family. She's also a woman of color and it would seem this match is made in heaven. 

Life on the frontier isn't easy, but Rosalie does an amazing job of making the best of it. She truly makes a house a home. Isaac is determined to make Rosalie happy, for they have three months (by Christmas) to make their marriage real in every way or it can be annulled. Isaac is big, yet a gentle giant.

I love the descriptions of their lives and feelings. Life back then is simpler, yet requires a lot of hard labor, which is very satisfying and I long for this way of life. This isn't a long story, but the necessary elements for a great story are there. I found conflict, clean romance, great characters, inner conflict and resolution, and a vivid setting. I would've loved a full-length novel, but was completely satisfied with what I read.

Content: moderate religious elements, as God and prayer has a big role in the story; nothing else of note. Clean!

Buy Link:

 

Tour Landing Page:

http://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com/slb-tours-landing-page/christmas-mail-order-angels-on-tour

Tour Facebook Events Page: 

https://www.facebook.com/events/1660295330921635/ 

About the Author:

 

Brandi Boddie writes historical and contemporary romance. She resides in Texas, where she loves spending time with her husband and dogs, a cocker spaniel and a schnauzer who both aspire to be food critics. She holds a juris doctorate from Howard University School of Law and a BA in political science from Youngstown State University. She has worked for the Office of the Attorney General in Washington DC and traveled extensively across the country as a military wife. When she isn't writing, Brandi enjoys fencing and swing dancing. 

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