It is really hard to say which one was my favorite, but I think The Tinman’s Match would probably be it. Xander Russell was probably my favorite matchmaker. The Backfired Bride was a close second and may have given me the most laughs.

Great collection of stories for the lover of historical fiction!

The Matchmaker Bridges Collection was a hilariously funny set of nine novellas that followed nine different women known to be matchmakers in their respective towns but who had not been able to find love for themselves. I enjoyed the sometimes awkwardness, misunderstandings, disasters, etc. that occurred in each story as each woman finally found love...sometimes by accident. A fun summer read.

The Matchmaker Brides Collection: Nine Matchmakers Have the Tables of Romance Turned on Them

You would think a matchmaker would be able to make a match for themselves, however, that is not the case with these nine matchmakers. We travel along the small communities of Tennessee, Wyoming Territory, Indiana, Colorado, and Illinois in the 1800’s as these matchmakers find love. Each matchmaking situation in these novellas bring surprises and some humerus events that had me laughing as they interacted with their soon-to-be spouses. A cute and fun group of novellas.

1-Home Grown Bride by Diana Lesire Brandmeyer
1876-Lebanon, Illinois
2- The Unmatched Bride by Amanda Cabot
1886-Cheyenne, Wyoming Territory
3-Playing Possum by Lisa Carter
1895-Possum Trot, WY
4- Hog Trough Bride by Ramona K. Cecil
1882–Honeytown, Indiana
5-The Tinman’s Match by Lynn A. Coleman
1880-On the road from Virginia to Tennessee
6- Miss Matched by Susanne Dietze
1879-Emerald, Colorado
7- The Backfired Bride by Kim Vogel Sawyer
1889-Friendly, Kansas
8-Sing of the Mercy by Connie Stevens
1876-Black Hills of Dakota Territory
9- A Match Made in Heaven by Liz Tolsma
1885-Detwiler, Iowa

~I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author/NetGalley (no monetary gain were exchanged), this is my honest review~I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255~

Imagine being a matchmaker and not being able to find your own match, well, that’s exactly what happens in The Matchmaker Brides Collection, a compilation of nine novellas.

Every one of the ladies and a couple of the men have been somewhat successful at finding matches for others. However, they aren’t very good at finding their own match, even when those matches are right under their noses.

The stories cover different cities in America from 1876 to 1895. The settings are in real places, and it was fun to get to know more about the history of the small towns chosen, along with the time period, too.

The tales are short, so they are quick to read and make for a wonderful opportunity to curl up and absorb them individually or all at one time.

The Matchmaker Brides Collection also resonates with inspirational themes in the narratives, highlighting the need for faith, hope and sometimes forgiveness.

If you enjoy historical fiction, with an element of romance, you are sure to love these nine novellas written by nine Christian authors.

I received a copy of The Matchmaker Brides Collection from NetGalley. However, I was under no obligation to post a review.

A little too corny for my taste, but good for anyone who wants very prim and proper historical fiction romances.

I absolutely loved all of these stories...have shared this book w/ all of my reading friends.

I always have loved books like this and use to have a huge collection of them. I like that they are quick and to the point. I always fall in love with the characters and wonder about them later about how their lives went on.

And now, my review:

I had the song “Matchmaker, Matchmaker” from Fiddler on the Roof singing in my head while enjoying this one!  What a great book full of 9 short stories!  Don’t let “short” stop you because each of these wonderful stories are well-developed and full of a great reads in-and-of themselves.  I love that about these great Barbour books.  For this book, the theme is Matchmaker and it’s a great idea to base some great reads on by some fantastic authors.  I really enjoyed finding out who in each story was the matchmaker and how it was played out, based on the time period of the 1800s.  Even the best intentions were sometimes realized surprises. 
I received this book in exchange for my review.

Written by some great authors these short stories are great ones. Nine different stories to read! Oh what fun!
Nine ladies that think they have matchmaking skills but they can't even get themselves matched up.
In each story find out what it takes for each lady to agree to get married. They think they are unlucky in matters of the heart. But soon they find out even they can get lucky.
Great characters that sometimes will make you laugh. A couple of novellas maybe a little predictable and some with things you won't see coming till it happens, but all worth reading. Read if you enjoy historical fiction and also want to get the satisfaction of reading a book that won't take you all day to read.
I recommend this book to my friends.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a favorable review.

I received a free copy from NetGalley; this is my honest review. I took one star off for editing.
1. The homegrown bride ****: Lots of misunderstanding but it's a good old-fashioned love story.
2. The unmatched bride ****: I love matchmakers and this story just fortifies the thought. Loved it.
3. Playing possum ****: Super fun read: the players were played. I even cried a bit. Loved this one a lot. Realistic to the times, lots of dialogues.
4. Hog through bride ****: An archaic tradition sets the pace of this story. A few verses here and there. Not too much. Lots of matchmaking, true love, gossip, wedding bells. Loved it.
5. The tinman's match ****: Loved it. Realistic, fun, would fit well in the steampunk style.
6. Miss Matched ****: Sweet but predictable. There's more to this story about the secondary characters.
7. The backfired bride ****: Cute. You knew everyone were churchgoers but no sermon, no prayers, no verses. Amen. Twist was predictable but loved it nonetheless.
8. Sing of the mercy **: Lots of lines wasted and ink spilled for full-length songs. Author switched one couple at the end. God's will is not to make excuses for one's bad behavior so for someone who thought she was close to God, how did it take so long to understand this?
9. A match made in heaven ***: How can a Christian quote the Bard more than scriptures? Changing the category from inspirational to sweet is more accurate. Predictable end and a bit corny.

With such an alluring title and cover, I could hardly resist reading this bevy of romance tales. They may not be Amish stories (my usual go-to), but they were still a delight to read. Here’s a little synopsis, and my take, on each of the novellas…

The Homegrown Bride by Diana Lesire Brandmeyer is set in 1887 Trenton, Illinois. It tells the story of Landon Knipp, who has just chosen to make Trenton his home, and where he’ll set up his new store. Meeting boarding house owner Emmie Mueller certainly was one of his reasons for choosing Trenton. But Emmie has different goals: Matchmaking for those at the boarding house, then moving to Kansas to be with her parent. When an unexpected visitor comes to Trenton, confusion ensues. My take: This novella needed to be longer. It wrapped up too quickly and left some subplots hanging at the end.

The Unmatched Bride by Amanda Cabot is set in 1886 Wyoming Territory (Cheyenne). Wealthy widower banker Robert Carmichael (Rob) employs infamous matchmaker Deborah Johnson to find the best match for his one an only daughter, Emily. The whole town is abuzz that Deborah is matchmaking at the Carmichaels. But is there more than one match in the making? And can past tragedies and heartbreak be put aside to find true love…or will it ultimately ruin everything and everyone in its path? My take: A colorful story with well thought-out characters. For being a novella, it still read very much like a novel – and I was ready for the next chapter! Excellent story.

Playing Possum by Lisa Carter is set in the quaint town of Possum Trot, Wyoming, 1895. It tells a delightful tale of suffragette wannabe Theadosia Holland (Thea) and plain-talkin’ Cage Cooper. Thea has returned home to teach at the newly erected school. Thea and Cage have spent their lives taking pot shots at one another. Neither has a desire to marry. So they strike a deal: Come up with a ruse to make the town think they’re engaged during harvest time. But in the process, feelings get muddled – what will become of Thea and Cage? My take: Playing Possum was a wonderful, engaging tale. I found myself cheering on Thea…and ready to sock her nemesis, Sue Ellen. This definitely felt a bit like a Laura Ingalls Wilder story, and I loved every minute of it!

Hog Trough Bride by Ramona Cecil is set in 1885 Honeytown, Indiana. This novella introduces readers to Rose Hamilton and Ty Roberts. Rose and Ty are anxious to marry, but there’s a problem: In this town, the eldest sister (if not betrothed) must partake in an unusual ritual. Rose longs to spare her elder sister Violet from these shenanigans…so she’s on the hunt for a match! But who Rose chooses is shocking…and his response is even more surprising! My take: This was a fun little novella. It didn’t have much depth, and it lagged in parts. But overall, it was a fun diversion.

The Tinman’s Match by Lynn A. Coleman is set in 1878 Pearisburg, Virginia. This one features a male matchmaker – Xander Russell. But matchmaker is not his full-time profession; he is also a tin maker that sells his wares from town to town. When he finds a match for Sarah Wooley, per her uncle’s insistence, they go by wagon to meet her new suitor. What Xander does not expect is Sarah’s outspoken, over-the-top (yet very practical) cousin Jo. The group encounters a few bumps along the way – and Sarah begins to doubt making this trip in the first place. How will it turn out? My take: The Tinman’s Match was a nice switch, having a male matchmaker. I enjoyed learning a little about the tin trade along the way. The romance was a bit contrived and the story as a whole lagged near the end. But overall, it’s worth the read.

Miss Matched by Susanne Dietze is set in 1879 Colorado Springs. This novella tells a fun story about a new matchmaker, Grace Perkins, that has adopted a method of “scientific matchmaking.” Her close friend (and her father’s protégé) Dr. Mitchell Shaw watches with amusement. He delights in her antics, but has no desire for marriage – ever…even if he does love Grace from afar. When Mitch makes a major decision that will affect the lives of everyone around him, how will they cope? My take: Miss Matched was a fun, quick read. I enjoyed the light mood as well as the deeper subplots surrounding it. Well done.

The Backfire Bride by Kim Vogel Sawyer is set in 1889 Friendly, Kansas. Long time friends Lyla Emerson and Jared Hardwick are ready to strike out on their own. Jared wants to claim land in Oklahoma, and Lyla has just received her teaching certificate and longs to teach somewhere on an Indian reservation. What stands in the way? Jared’s pa and Lyla’s aunt – both are lonely (having lost a spouse), and will be lonelier when Jared and Lyla go away. So what’s left to do? Somehow bring Jared’s pa and Lyla’s aunt together…and so the hijinks ensues! My take: This novella was a wonderful story, full of conniving, conspiring, and downright fun. This one definitely stood out in the collection.

Sing of the Mercy by Connie Stevens is set in 1880 Prescott, Dakota Territory. This novella is matchmaking of epic proportion! Sarah Trent is the owner of Sarah’s Hash House, located deep in a nearly defunct gold mining town. In years gone by, there was gold to be had, but not anymore. When Prescott elects a mayor, Quinn, both Sarah and Quinn do their best to turn Prescott into a REAL town – with shops, buildings…and wives for the miners that are hanging up their mining hats. When Sarah’s brother gets himself into more trouble than he can handle, what will become of him? Of Sarah? Of the town? My take: This novella was a good, solid read. The characters were well-developed and I was fully invested in each character. It didn’t feel like I was reading a novella by any means – except I wanted it to continue! Great read!

A Match Made in Heaven by Liz Tolsma is set in 1885 Detweiler, Iowa. It tells the story of a new pastor named Len Montgomery. Pastor Montgomery has a rule: Do not get involved with members of his congregation. Shakespeare-quoting, congregation member Cora Thomas, who works at the local post office, harbors a secret from a past relationship. When a man from Des Moines contacts Pastor Len asking for help in finding a mate, intrigue, mystery and mischief ensue. My take: This was a good read. The premise for the novella was a good start, but too many of the turns in the story were predictable.

I was given The Matchmaker Brides Collection in exchange for my honest review. A couple of the novellas fell flat, but overall the collection was a delight to read. This is a great collection to get you ready for romance and the upcoming wedding season. Grab your copy today and decide who YOUR favorite match is!

A delightful set of stories about matchmaking. From promised marriages to younger folks matchmaking for older folks, each author tells a unique story. Every situation brings surprise and sometimes laughter to the intended matches. I enjoyed these stories very much. I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and this is my personal opinion.

Nine well-written novellas! The stories take place between 1878 to 1895.
Each one has it's own surprise twist for the matchmaker and each one was a delight to read!
There are city folks, farmers, miners, wealthy businessmen, a doctor, even a Pastor. Not all matchmakers are female either. I recommend taking your time, reading each story when you have a bit of time. I found them a good way to wind down after a stressful day. I love these Barbour Collections.

Great fun! Historical romance is not one of my favorites, but I do enjoy reading them now and again. This collection of novellas was entertaining to say the least.

Each story had very unique matchmakers that faced different challenges in making their matches. Each one found the tables being turned on them in fun ways. I appreciate and am impressed how the authors made their own story special. Being romance stories you know how it will all end, but the journeys each had a special road.

It is really hard to say which one was my favorite, but I think The Tinman's Match would probably be it. Xander Russell was probably my favorite matchmaker. The Backfired Bride was a close second and may have given me the most laughs.

Great collection of stories for the lover of historical fiction!

Rating of 4 1/2 stars!

Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher, via Netgalley.com, but I was not required to leave a review. The opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

A collection of 9 short stories by some of today's most popular Christian fiction writers.
These stories are bound together by the theme of matchmakers. What a fun delight it is to read when the matchmakers have the tables turned on them as they are the ones who find themselves in a match made in heaven. A entertaining read all the way around. Perfect for when you have small amounts of time to read, each story is a delightfully quick read!
Highly recommended to lovers of historical Christian romance.
Pub Date 01 Feb 2017
Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour books for providing me with a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

These are nine short historical novellas by nine various authors set in the late 1800’s time period. I enjoyed the whole matchmaker theme; it’s similar to my two favorite ones, marriage of convenience and mail-order brides. I loved the historical details, the fun characters, the touch of humor some stories had, and the setting in each story. I had to laugh at a few of these because the whole matchmaking scheme backfired on the women! The faith-theme was refreshing and each author portrayed a different & encouraging message. I also liked the fact that I could read two or three of these in one sitting. Overall a heartwarming set of stories you can savor in small bites or even spend an afternoon reading them all!

Short story lovers will find much to like here. A great bridge to full-length works by the authors noted.

Lovely collection of short clean historic romance stories. Nice for a light hearted easy read on a quiet evening. I preferred to read one or two stories at a time. It's nice in that the stories are short enough for one sitting. They are all pretty predictable though and that was kind of annoying after the 5th story. I did not like the Hog Trough story. The title alone made me not interested. Otherwise it is a lovely collection.