by admin | Dec 28, 2014 | Books, Christmas, Historical, Novella, Romance
MY REVIEW:
“The Fruitcake Bride” is the last but certainly not the least of The 12 Brides of Christmas collection of novellas. I have spent several enjoyable hours reading this series and hate to see it reach its end.
Karen Briggs has moved to Bakerstown, Missouri in order to marry her longtime friend Pastor Clayton Parsons. After the death of her aunt, Karen has no family and nowhere to live. Clayton’s offer of marriage was an answer to her problems but she has very mixed feelings about the offer. Does Clayton really love her or does he just feel sorry for her? Will she be a good pastor’s wife or could she even hurt his ministry?
“The Fruitcake Bride” is a sweet story with several humorous scenes. Karen learns that despite her inadequacies, God has a plan for her life and that she is loved by Him and others just for being herself.
This book was provided for review by Shiloh Run Studios.
Pastor Clayton Parsons waited a year to bring his fiancée, Karen Briggs, to his new church post. They plan a Christmas wedding, but in the meantime Karen helps the church ladies with various projects, including a bake sale. But revealing her fruitcake recipe could spell disaster for her future in Bakerstown, Missouri.
More About The Fruitcake Bride with Vickie McDonough
The author of many novels set in the old west, particularly in Texas, Vickie McDonough had no problem choosing a time period for her 14th novella.
“I love reading novels set in the late 1800?s, and it’s the time period that most of the books I’ve written are set in, so when I started brainstorming ideas for The Fruitcake Bride, it was natural for me to set my novella in 1890.”
She chose her subject matter from a list of titles provided by Barbour Publishing. “I figured not too many people would want to write The Fruitcake Bride story. Being how I’m a little fruity, I thought I’d take a stab at it. I was thrilled when my editor loved my story idea.”
Vickie started with the idea of a young pastor headed west to prepare a home for his prospective bride before she joined him. Along the way, he encountered a problem: a troublesome woman named Prudy with designs on him!
Vickie was surprised by Prudy’s strong personality. “She’s a bit of a Nellie Olson from Little House on the Prairie type of character.” She wasn’t originally in the story, “but I needed more conflict. Prudy more than a little graciously added that as she popped in, bent on marrying the preacher—the same man my heroine is engaged to,” Vickie said.
Spiritual themes run strong in this novella collection.
“Karen, my heroine has lots of doubts that she is the right woman for Pastor Clay. They’ve been friends for many years, but their engagement is rushed when her aunt dies. Karen isn’t sure she is cut out to be a pastor’s wife. She prays a lot and seeks God’s will to be sure she’s not making a mistake. Clay never doubts his love for Karen, and he ends up being a good example of how God’s love for us is so strong and everlasting.”
Given her past books, research for this novella wasn’t too difficult for Vickie. She merely had to ensure Advent, Texas was a fictional town and examine fruitcake recipes. In terms of her characters, she feels they reflect her stubbornness, faith in God and concern to do the right thing.
Vickie is the descendant of early 1700?s pioneer from Germany who emigrated to the Lancaster area of Pennsylvania and later traveled west to Kansas and Oklahoma. “I am quite enamored with books about settling in the Old West, but if I had a chance to live in the 1800?s, I’d have to decline. I’m too much a creature of comfort—and I’d have to wear dresses.”
Vickie is thrilled to be working with “such a great cast of authors and is excited to hear what the readers think of the 12 Brides of Christmas Collection.”
She’d like to invite you to sign up for her newsletter to keep up with her book news. Click on this link to sign-up: http://www.vickiemcdonough.com/www.vickiemcdonough.com/Newsletter_Sign-up.html
Who is Vickie McDonough?
Vickie McDonough is the author of 33 novels and novellas, including two books in the Texas Trails: Morgan Family series, The Texas Boardinghouse Brides, The Pioneer Promises series and A Pioneer Christmas Collection. Vickie has been married 39 years and she and her husband live in Oklahoma and have four grown sons.
She’s the blogger on the tenth of each month at Heroes, Heroines and History.
For more information about Vickie and her books, visit her website: www.vickiemcdonough.com
You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter
by admin | Dec 12, 2014 | Books, Christmas, Historical, Novella, Post Civil War
MY REVIEW:
After losing the man she loved during the war, Esther had focused on raising her orphaned niece and managing the family bakery. Jeremy had been rejected by his fiance when she learned he had lost a foot in battle. Neither ever expected to find love at their age but Esther’s search for just the right artist to paint a Christmas star for her niece’s wedding gift may have set things in motion for another family wedding.
“The Christmas Star Bride” may be my favorite so far in the 12 Brides of Christmas collection – probably because the romance came as somewhat a surprise to both parties. I probably also liked the story because it featured a couple who were a bit more mature than those in the usual romance novels. Of course, Cabot’s excellent skill at developing a wonderful story and her careful research combined to make this one well worth my time.
I am loving getting to read all the stories in this collection and hate to see it quickly coming to the end. I encourage everyone to grab a copy of one or more of these sweet and inspiring stories about Christmas brides.
This book was provided for review by Shiloh Run Studios.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Esther Hathaway lost her one true love at Gettysburg twenty years ago, but she is still willing to celebrate her niece’s wedding by commissioning Jeremy Snyder to paint her portrait. Will Esther’s prayers for God to ease her loneliness be answered by a wounded vet?
More About The Christmas Star Bride with Amanda Cabot
Who would have guessed that at one time Cheyenne, Wyoming had the highest number of millionaires per capita in the country? Amanda Cabot discovered that fact and many others while researching her novella The Christmas Star Bride. Such a surprising fact spurred her imagination and intrigued her writer’s sensibility.
“Ever since I moved to Cheyenne and learned a bit of its history, I’ve been fascinated by the era of the cattle barons when Cheyenne was the wealthiest city per capita in the country. Not only was Cheyenne the capitol of Wyoming Territory, but it also boasted beautiful parks, the only opera house west of the Mississippi and even had electric lights. What better time and place to set a story?”
This is not Amanda’s first visit to nineteenth century Cheyenne. Two of her Westward Winds books, Waiting for Spring and With Autumn’s Return, are both set in Cheyenne during this period.
In this particular story, however, she wanted to tell the story of “an older couple, one who’d suffered through the War Between the States, and how love comes when it’s least expected. Once I realized what Jeremy and Esther had endured, the story practically wrote itself.”
“The Bible verse I chose for this story is Psalm 34:22, “The Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants, and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.” Both Esther and Jeremy have had desolate periods in their lives, but thanks to their faith in the Lord, they are redeemed.”
Amanda noted that while her characters are not based on real people, “my heroes and heroines frequently embody my personal values. Because I believe in justice and happy endings, readers will find that my protagonists do, too. They’ll also find the recurring theme of the healing power of love, since that’s something I believe in.”
Because she lives in Cheyenne, Amanda often walks the streets her characters inhabited. She’d not personally like to have lived in that time period (too dangerous to be ill), but she would love to have seen the opulent homes now gone.
Who is Amanda Cabot?
Amanda Cabot is the author of more than thirty novels, including the CBA bestseller Christmas Roses and Waiting for Spring. A Christmas-time bride herself, Amanda now lives in Cheyenne with her high-school sweetheart husband, where they celebrate a fairly simple Christmas tradition.
For more information about Amanda, please visit her website at www.amandacabot.com or read her blog.
You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter
Amanda had one last word: “I hope everyone who’s reading this has an opportunity to read all of the 12 Brides of Christmas novellas. I’ve had the privilege of reading each of them, and I can tell you that you’re in for a treat.”
by admin | Dec 4, 2014 | Books, Christmas, Historical, Novella, Romance
MY REVIEW:
Widower Roy Gibbons is at the end of his rope trying to be both father and mother to his young daughters. They need a woman’s touch and they have requested a new mother for Christmas. Alma Pickens is in absolutely no hurry to marry. She is content living with her father and taking care of him and their home. Her father’s newest plans changes everything for Alma but she is not certain she is happy about it.
“The Festive Bride” is a somewhat different story about an arranged marriage. Although both Roy and Alma have agreed to her father’s suggestion, neither is sure it is a good idea. With interesting characters and some unexpected twists, this sweet Christmas romance is another fun addition to the 12 Brides of Christmas collection. It is just right for a long winter’s evening by the fire or any cozy reading spot.
This book was provided for review by Shiloh Run Studios.
When Roy Gibbons finds Alma Pickens as a mother to give his daughters for Christmas he thought it would be a simple arrangement. But this is the only wedding Alma will have, and she is determined to make it festive. Will this bride be more than Roy bargained for?
More About The Festive Bride with Diana Brandmeyer
Diana’s novella is a poignant story of love between a widow and a widower, which reflects her own personal experience–though she didn’t have to fall in love quite so fast!
The 12 Brides of Christmas stories all feature gifts and that’s where Diana began thinking about her story. “I wanted to set my novella long enough after the Civil War that healing had begun; it was a time for the country to breathe.”
It took some thinking to find out what was available at the time that could be used. “I wasn’t sure paint would have been used on glass. I asked my son, an artist about the paint Alma uses for Roy’s gift and found out I was on the right track.”
As she wrote, she fell in love with the quirkiness of her heroine’s character. “She was fun to write. I named her after a friend of mine which could be what made her so special.”
Diana’s own family traces back to Revolutionary days, though she wouldn’t want to be a pioneer herself. “I like reading about this time period, love looking at the old houses and wondering what it would be like…but live during that time? No. I’m way too spoiled by microwaves, cell phones and warm cars!”
Diana is thrilled to be part of The 12 Brides of Christmas ebook collection. “This has been one of the most exciting writing endeavors I’ve had, 12 authors one topic—Christmas!”
For her, personally, Christmas was a simpler time growing up. “Our family Christmas’s were not huge affairs. My mom stressed the importance of making gifts and the love that goes with that effort is worth more than an item you can buy.”
Who is Diana Brandmeyer?
A multi-published author, Diana Brandmeyer began her career in 1987 writing devotionals for children. From there, she “followed the stories that God placed in my heart. I’m not saying He told me to write them, but the ideas that I get I feel do come from him. At first it was contemporary fiction, then I was led to write about the journey my family took to become well blended. Now I’m writing a historical fiction novel. I love the surprising way God works.”
She writes historical and contemporary novels and a non-fiction book based on her experiences joining two families into one: We’re Not Blended-We’re Pureed, A Survivor’s Guide to Blended Families.
Together, Diana and her husband have three sons, several daughter-in-laws and an adorable grandchild. She lives in Illinois, not far from where The Festive Bride takes place.
For more information, you can visit Diana’s website: http://dianabrandmeyer.com/
Or find her on social media: Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest
by admin | Dec 3, 2014 | Books, Christmas, Contemporary Fiction, Novella
MY REVIEW:
Lisa Wingate has surprised her fans with a short Christmas novella just in time for the holidays. I ignored the many chores that were awaiting me and read “A Sandy’s Seashell Shop” in one sitting this morning but wished I had taken just a bit more time to savor it. Set in Hatteras Village located in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, the novella features a grieving young military widow who has tried her best to ignore Christmas since her husband’s death during that season.
This is a read that requires a nearby box of tissues because I guarantee there will be a moment or two that will bring tears to your eyes. Fortunately other scenes will bring forth chuckles or maybe even a hearty laugh or two. Young Micah is just precious and both Tiff and Jason are characters I want to get to know better. A sweet story of healing, hope, and miracles – I absolutely did not want this story to end!
ABOUT THE BOOK:
For young military widow, Tiff Riley, Christmas isn’t just another day. It’s the worst of all days. Hiding out on Hatteras Island with three-and-a-half-year-old Micah, she’s desperate to once again ignore the anniversary of tragedy. The winter-season quiet of North Carolina’s Outer Banks is the perfect place to escape. It never feels like Christmas at the beach.
But in tiny Hatteras Village, the crew at Sandy’s Seashell Shop is determined to make sure no one is forgotten at Christmas. Is it possible for a magical Christmas Eve at the Seashell Shop to help mend one damaged life? On a night of miracles, in a place of miracles, can a young widow’s heart be reopened to joy, hope… and even love?
Proceeds from the sale of this E-short will help fund a donation to Operation Military Kids, which serves children whose parents are deployed. Purchase a copy HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lisa Wingate is a former journalist, inspirational speaker, and the author of over twenty mainstream fiction novels, including the national bestseller, Tending Roses, now in its nineteenth printing. She is a seven-time ACFW Carol award nominee, a Christy Award nominee, an Oklahoma Book Award finalist, and a two-time Carol Award winner. Her novels are known for taking on gritty subjects while offering redemptive and uplifting themes. Recently, the group Americans for More Civility, a kindness watchdog organization, selected Lisa along with Bill Ford, Camille Cosby, and six others, as recipients of the National Civies Award, which celebrates public figures who work to promote greater kindness and civility in American life. More information about Lisa’s novels can be found at www.Lisawingate.com
by admin | Nov 20, 2014 | Books, Christmas, ebook, Historical, Novella, Romance
MY REVIEW:
During the hustle and bustle of the holiday season that encompasses Thanksgiving and Christmas, it is nice to find a bit of stolen time to relax with a book. The novellas that comprise The 12 Brides of Christmas novella series are absolutely perfect for that. I woke early one morning this week and instead of rattling around in the kitchen, I decided to let my husband sleep. In my comfy recliner, I was able to finish “The Nativity Bride” before he woke.
“The Nativity Bride” is a story about lost love, family secrets, broken family relationships, dedication to family, and second chances. The author managed to pack quite a lot into this short but emotional story that illustrates the affect that personal disappointments can have on future generations.
I loved this sweet story of forgiveness and restoration. I hope you will also.
This book was provided for review by Shiloh Run Studios.
Deborah Summers has waited five years and prayed for Curt Warren to return to Goldendale, Washington, passing up another marriage proposal by believing in her first love. When tragedy finally brings him home, will a rift with his father drive him away too quickly?
More About The Nativity Bride with Miralee Ferrell
A devoted young woman who cared for her mother rather than follow after the man she loved, Deborah’s heart springs to life when he returns for a brief visit. Once there, love flames anew but, as usual, misunderstandings abound.
What can a beautifully carved nativity set have to do with it?
And will she make a choice to love in spite of circumstances?
Set in beautiful Goldendale, Washington, The Nativity Bride‘s hero Curt is an honorable man struggling with a difficult past. Will he be able to overcome his disappointments to find happiness?
Who is Miralee Ferrell?
Miralee’s an avid reader and has a large collection of first edition Zane Grey books, which inspired her desire to write fiction set in the Old West. She rides horseback with her adult daughter and lives with her husband on 11 acres along the Columbia River in southern Washington.
For more information about Miralee, please visit her website: miraleeferrell.com
You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter
by admin | Nov 6, 2014 | Books, Christmas, Novella, Romance
MY REVIEW:
The Yuletide is the latest release in The 12 Brides of Christmas novella collection that is being released during the weeks leading up to Christmas 2014 by Shiloh Run Studios. Short but sweet, this tale is just the right length for an evening relaxing by the fire after a long day of shopping or other holiday preparations.
With a historical setting on the prairies of Nebraska, this Christmas love story features Ewan Murray who loves his life-long friend Kate McDougall but because of circumstances beyond his control, has very little chance of winning her from the banker’s son who is much more able to provide for her. Challenged by her father to earn $70 by Christmas in order to win her hand, Ewan works as hard as he can but has little hope that he can achieve his goal in time.
Although in some aspects, “The Yuletide Bride” is somewhat predictable, it is peppered with interesting tidbits such as handmade reed flutes, Kate’s efforts to learn to play bagpipes, and a tense snowstorm rescue. Ewan’s faith and integrity combine to make him a worthy hero. The contrast between Kate’s two suitors will have the reader rooting for Ewan’s success.
Another fun story from The 12 Brides of Christmas collection.
This book was provided for review by Shiloh Run Studios.
Ewan Murray and Kate McDougall hold a mutual appreciation for music—and each other. But as she comes of age, Ewan realizes he must do something to prove his worth to her banker father. Will a refurbished heirloom and a sudden snowstorm be the key to earning permission to marry?
More About The Yuletide Bride with Michelle Ule
How about a short novella story that features a young man working hard to save up the incredible sum of $70 to win the hand of his young sweetheart in 1874 Nebraska?
What if we mix in pan pipes, bagpipes, a fiddle and an unhappy teamster who could never understand mathematics?
Barbour Publishing first approached a handful of writers about putting together this innovative collection around the infamous Christmas carol, The Twelve Days of Christmas. We were asked to choose one of those days, come up with an alternate title and write a story.
I figured most writers would aim for “five golden rings,” so I steered in a different direction, to one of the more obscure titles: 11 Pipers Piping.
They’re in The Yuletide Bride.
You just have to look for them.
I’ve been a musician since I received a piano for Christmas when I was six. I studied piano all through school and eventually extended my love for music to the woodwinds. After a short detour into percussion, I’ve learned to play the flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, alto recorder and alto saxophone.
At our current church, I sing in the soprano section of the choir and play in a woodwind ensemble (clarinet–everyone’s favorite instrument!) once a month.
Since I also dance four days a week, you can say that music runs through my life all the time!
For this Christmas novella, I wanted to write a fun story that incorporated those eleven pipers and that also touched on a theme pertinent to many these days: making enough money to live on.
Ewan faces the biggest challenge of his life when his longtime sweetheart’s father asks him to prove himself capable of supporting Kate. He has to earn $70 by her Christmas birthday, or he’ll give her hand in marriage to a local banker.
Kate, for her part, learns what it means to be a helpmeet as she watches and tries to help Ewan earn the money for their future.
And then there’s the bagpipes . . .
I didn’t do any particular research while working on this book other than an attempt to play the bagpipes owned by my friend Bill Cummings, former North America clan chief for the Cummings line. We’ve got a video of me attempting to be a gawk, er, sound out of the pipes and it was fun to try.
In terms of Christmas celebration on the prairies of Nebraska–chosen because it was one place where reeds grew where it might snow at Christmastime–I relied on the stories told me by my grandmother of her family’s childhood, and also what I read in Laura Ingalls Wilder‘s Little House books. The striped candy Ewan associates with Christmas is a direct nod to young Laura.
I’m a genealogist and my massive family history (available in the Library of Congress and featuring more than 900 end note citations) is suitably called Pioneer Stock. I love the stories I unearthed about my family as I wrote that book before Ancestry.com was invented–so I did all the library-visiting research myself. While my mother was born in Sicily, my father’s ancestors first arrived in North American in 1627 Maryland. I loved researching and writing about their lives set against American history.
I have an entire page on my website devoted to my genealogy. Check it out if you think you might be related to me!
The Yuletide Bride is the first of two parts of a story concerning the MacDougall family. In writing this first Christmas novella, I discovered one of the seemingly “throw away” characters, actually had more poignancy and heft to him than I realized. I’m delighted Malcolm will have a story of his own in next summer’s The Sunbonnet Bride.
For quarterly information on Michelle’s writing and to keep tabs on what’s happening, subscribe to her email newsletter, by clicking here.
Who is Michelle Ule?
Michelle Ule is the author of five novellas and a Navy SEAL novel, including The Dogtrot Christmas which appeared in the New York Times best-selling A Log Cabin Christmas Collection (with Margaret Brownley) and last year’s best-selling A Pioneer Christmas Collection (co-authored with Vickie McDonough and Margaret Brownley!). A native of San Pedro, California, she played in the UCLA band and every year bakes a Ule log for her family’s Christmas celebration. She lives in northern California these days where she writes, reads and plans the next trip to an exotic location.
You can learn more about Michelle and read her twice-a-week blog at www.michelleule.com
You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest (for a Yuletide Bride Pinterest board, along with one about all the authors of The 12 Brides of Christmas).
