In this grouping of novellas, we have such authors as Mary Connealy, Amanda Cabot, and Maureen Lang, and I have never read a story by any of these that I did not like. Let me put that in a more positive way: EVERY story I've read by these authors I've liked, extremely well.
Mary Connealy opens this grouping with A Bride Rides Herd. Betsy is babysitting her sister's rowdy, rambunctious girls when Matt comes riding up to the ranch. Matt watches Annie and Susie playing in a rather dangerous part of the river and hears Betsy yelling for the girls. Betsy doesn't quite know what to do with Matt, even though he is her sister's brother-in-law. Kissing him is such a good/bad idea, but eventually she gives in.
Amanda Cabot weighs in with Fourth of July Bride. Naomi is worried about her mother, especially her mother's eye sight. She needs an operation, but has no way to pay for the doctor's fees, much less the rest of the costs of the operation. Gideon finds out that his mother will soon be visiting and needs a "stand-in" bride, so he offers to pay for the operation if Naomi will pretend to be his fiancee. His offer includes all the new gowns and dresses she will need.
Maureen Lang completes this set with The Summer Harvest Bride. Sally is not looking for love, and she's certainly not looking for Willis Pollit, but when Lukas Daughton and his brothers come to town to build a new grist mill Lukas finds Sally is a sight for his sore eyes. There is a bit of sabotage to the mill and Sally believes the blame lands at Willis' feet. Maureen has woven a bit of mystery into her offering of this grouping that makes the story more interesting and more enjoyable.
These three ladies know their stuff when they are writing, and they execute it well. These are fairly short novellas which make them the perfect reading length for a lazy afternoon. Five Stars, Two Thumbs Up, and a bouquet of summer wildflowers.
My thanks to Shiloh Run Studios for allowing me to read and review this book.
No comments:
Post a Comment