Romancing America & a Giveaway

I have found so many little lovelies that I want to share with our lovely readers that it is hard to know where to begin. So, I guess that I am going to start with two books that I recently discovered (and devoured).

Title: Sagebrush Knights, Author: Erica Vetsch, Publisher: Barbour, ISBN: 978-1-61626-642-4,Format: Trade Paperback, $7.99, Source: Purchased

CAN KNIGHTLY HUSBANDS BE FOUND IN SAGEBRUSH, WYOMING

Set in 1874, Sagebrush Knights is the story of four sisters from Seabury, MA who are in need of husbands. Their father, a medieval scholar, has passed away, and they have no means to support themselves. When one of the sisters discovers a copy of The Matrimonial News, a periodical devoted to facilitating mail-order matches, she convinces the other three to place an ad with her. The sisters stipulate that they must find men from the same town, so they will at least have each other as neighbors and support. An answer comes quickly from Wyoming Territory. When the ladies arrive in the little town of Sagebrush hoping to find their knights-in-shining-armor, they are disappointed in the serfs who greet them. While technically neighbors, the ranches are so far apart, the Gerhard sisters will have to learn to trust God and their new husbands if they are going to survive in the West.

Novellas included:

Knight and Day

Lady-in-Waiting

Shining Armour

On a White Chargers

Title: Colonial Courtships, Author: Laurie Alice Eakes, Carla Olson Gade, Lisa Karon Richardson, & Amelia Stockton, Publisher: Barbour, ISBN: 978-1-61626-694-3, Format: Trade Paperback, $7.99, Source: Purchased

A COLONIAL COURTSHIP WAS NOT IN THE PLAN…

Unexpected adventure catches the Ingersoll brothers by surprise-and brings unexpected love into their lives. Nathaniel has his sights set on becoming a master figurehead carver, until he risks everything for a woman. Jonathan’s merchant trade and his new love are in jeopardy from a brother’s animosity. Micah expects to settle down to peace after a life of fighting on the frontier but finds a young woman hiding from an abductor. Alden is press-ganged into tending an ailing naval captain, then catches sight of the captain’s fetching niece. Will the unexpected end in four courtships?

Novellas Included:

Carving a Future” by Carla Olson Gade

“Trading Secrets” by Amber Stockton

“Over a Barrel” by Laurie Alice Eakes

“Impressed by Love” by Lisa Karon Richardson

My Thoughts:

Rarely do I ever find anything new to read at Wal-Mart, however a trip to buy wrapping paper turned out to yield two new books: Sagebrush Knights and Colonial Courtships

Sagebrush Knights and Colonial Courtships were my first adventures into the Romancing America Series. This was the fist time that I had even heard of the series so I wasn’t sure if they would be my cuppa tea as I have read other compilations and have not enjoyed them. Yet both books found a way into my cart.

I read Sagebrush Knights first and was a bit surprised with the way the characters pulled me. Having read books set in the late 1800’s with the mail-order bride theme, I have found that the books often parrot each other. However, the characters in these four novellas were fresh and new and I found that I enjoyed them immensely.

I also loved the fact that the four Gerhard sisters were literary oriented, it added that extra touch that made things interesting and explains the titles of the novellas.

Favorite novella: Lady-in-Waiting—Jane and Harrison were my two favorite characters and their story seemed to stick with me after finishing the book.

Least favorite: Shining Armor—while I enjoyed the story, I felt that other events of the story pulled attention away from Gwendolyn and Matthew, who, I felt, shared little page-time together.

Colonial Courtships contains four novellas each penned by a different author. Since the book follows four brothers, I was worried that the novellas would feel off kilter, yet once again, I am pleased to say the book come together brilliantly.

Each author stayed true to the events in the previous novels while lending their voice to the collection. And I felt that they did a brilliant job at showing Colonial life and the affects of the wars.

Favorite novella: Over a Barrel by Laurie Alice Eakes—there was just something about Micajah Ingersoll that made my heart melt.

Least Favorite: I have to say that I did not have a least favorite. I enjoyed the remaining three novellas equally.

Overall, I enjoyed the both books. Although I will say that there are a few editorial mistakes in the first novella, Knight and Day, in Sagebrush Knights—nothing major.

I look forward to reading more from the Romancing America line—I will admit, I will probably stick the historicals.

Rating for both:

GIVEAWAY TIME!

1 lucky winner will win both books (Sagebrush Knights and Colonial Courtships)

Giveaway is International

Ends December 17

To enter please leave your name, no need to leave your email address as I will be posting the winners name on December 18—winner will have two days to contact me.

Best Wishes & Good Luck,

Angela