A Unique Collaboration

I loved this compilation of second chance stories. Although the theme of second chance at love is woven through each story, the setting and time of each was unique. This uniqueness added just the right amount of detail which made these novellas so much more fun and entertaining. I thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful collaboration.

***I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts expressed are my own..

Love in the Crossfire by Lauralee Bliss - this novella hinged on the varied allegiances among colonists during the revolutionary war. We hear about brother turning against brother during the civil war, but it never occurred to me that it would have happens during the revolutionary war as well. The love story seemed to go too fast to be realistic, but the writing did give me a new perspective. 3 stars

Fanned Embers by Angela Breidenbach - this novella was such a great story. The characters and their struggles seemed real and personal. Little details (like damaged ruffles and the aroma of fresh bread) made me feel like I was actually there in Adair. I hope Ms. Breidenbach follows this up with additional, full-length stories with these characters. She most definitely has a new reader in me! 5 stars

Daughter of Orion by Ramona K. Cecil - this novella was interesting in terms of both the whaling aspects and the way it portrayed people's behavior. People behaving badly when they don't think they are being watched. People unable to hide who they truly are and who they are attracted to. 4 stars

The Substitute Husband and the Unexpected Bride by Pamela Griffin - this novella with the cumbersome name was quite nice. The characters are likable people, struggling with difficult circumstances. The timing felt right with this story. 4 stars

The Widow of St. Charles Avenue by Grace Hitchcock - this novella was sweet and had a twist from childhood. I'm a sucker for characters charged with taking care of orphans. I really didn't care for Norman or Julia. Would there have been no regulations to follow in opening a school for orphaned boys? 4 stars

The Prickly Pear Bride by Pam Hillman - this novella is a quick story about a woman avoiding people because of talk and doing a lot of hard work. It always feels good when she finds someone who really sees her like Cole does. The length doesn't do the story justice though -- with the whirlwind entry of the boss' daughter and the wrap up without letting us enjoy the couple together. Also, some of the details seemed really extraneous to this story -- the baby, giving up the fabric --which is especially challenging in a novella where the author needs to get the job done as efficiently as possible. 3.5 stars because it would have been better as a full length production

Married by Mistake by Laura V. Hilton - this novella is set on Mackinac Island, one of my absolute favorite places! The story was predictable from the start, but it was so sweet and the characters so kind, that was easily forgiven. This story felt like a little piece of comfort, one you want to read on a rainy Saturday morning under cozy blankets. It was so nice to approach this novella from the perspective of a second chance groom. 4.5 stars

Love in Disguise by Amber Stockton - What an interesting twist that our couple gets a second chance at love with each other. I really like the way this collection keeps the variety. This novella was nice, although some things seemed odd... Did Anna use a pseudonym with everyone in town? Why would she have done that? It's not like anyone was looking for her or she was hiding from someone. I thought that was whee the reveal would come, but nope! Ms. Stockton got me. 3 stars

What the Heart Sees by Liz Tolsma - This novella brings us forward in time to the WW2 era. I never thought about how difficult it would have been for a German citizen to gain permission to imitate permanently to the US in the immediate aftermath of the war, unless you were a famous rocket scientist. There was a lot of underlying motivation in this story which makes the characters seem real. 3.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for a free copy of this book to read and review. All opinions above are my own.

I loved these short novellas. Each one is set in a unique time in history. I enjoy learning about history and each author's story captivated my attention from the beginning.

Do you believe in second chances? I think most of us do. This collection brings nine couples together for a second chance spanning from 1777 to 1944. I found each one was a touching love story!
I requested a copy through NetGalley. No review was required. My opinion and review is voluntary...

A sweet collection of novellas of brides that get a second chance at love. Novellas provide readers with a chance to become familiar with different authors. This collection has a wonderful group of authors with stories that will touch readers' hearts. Recommended!

An amazing collection of novellas, and an interesting read written by popular Christian authors. It was a lot of fun to read these stories about women who think that their chance of love is gone, only to find love in God's timing. I greatly enjoyed this collection of second chance love stories. I will sometimes have trouble with short stories, but this collection held my attention and was a wonderful adventure. Being able to follow all these woman as they gain a renewed hope for their futures.

This is a wonderful collection of people having a second chance at love.
I recommend it very much.

I love reading about brides....and this novel did not disappoint me in the least. I loved each and every story....penned by an amazing group of authors.

The Second Chance Brides Collection well there aren't words great enough for these Novella's. They are wonderful, adventurous, yet sorrowful, abounding in love, beautiful, some greivefull., yet boundless in fun and Faith, chivalrous, compassion, debonair, downright enjoyable and full of the Faith in JESUS and isn't that the most important thing? There is one story who a woman who has lost her husband and father at sea. A year later she does something you and I never would have thought to do in a million years , .......what was that? you have to get the book. Another story there is a women who goes many many miles over water to get married and when she gets off the ship with her ten year old sister - sickly - the both of them in their own ways ..... nope you have to read the book. Then you have a poor young women who has kept herself out of society for two years because of the loss of her husband. On the first time out in Society after two years her good friend from childhood comes up to her and finds out that she was married - he was sad - but he was passed on to glory - he was dead - he was happy - for himself - he then..........nah you have to read the book to find out what happens and boy how do you do is it good. Also, there is a story of a girl - girl - she is a woman - who was sheepherding sheep - of course they were sheep - anywho - and was caught on the wrong side of the rising water when a cowboy just happen to com riding by and he rescued her - thought it was a he until halfway through the rising water rescuing her - then...........nope not going to tell you but boy howdy is there an incredible tale to this one. Then the next is about a debutante and a Socialite. The man has a bad history with a women - or is it? She has no interest in meeting men or does she? Do they meet and find love in each other, pasts and all? It is a very touching and Chivalrous story. Lastly you have two young loves who met before the war in Germany. Then she came back home and he was forced into the Nazi Army. Then........I am not going to tell you what happens next just that it is such a heart warming struggle. Will they ever get together with that war and the past between them? Will they get together with more than not only the war and the past getting in between them.? You have to read this book or you will miss out on way too much.

Great set of novellas featuring women who fear they may never get another chance at love.

I love this collection of novellas, it covers a vast amount of different time periods over the nine stories where people get a second chance at love.

Love in the Crossfire
Gretchen cares for a man that she finds in the barn. Jacob is a scout for George Washington, as they get to know each other they find that they have a lot in common.

Fanned Embers
Lukas is a foreman at the mine, he is a hard worker of integrity. He promises to keep his men from bothering the newly widowed Juliana. She is hoping to leave as soon as she has the money to leave. But will Lukas change her mind? An action packed ending!

Daughter of Orion
Matilda signs on as a cabin boy on a whaling vessel, she shares her faith with Tom and he admires her faith, thinking her to be a young boy. However her secret cannot stay a secret forever...

The Substitute Husband and the Unexpected Bride
Cecily and Garret marry for convenience. He has a son, and she a younger sister that she watches over. She fears that she doesn't measure up to Garret's first wife. For his part he respects her space and gives her time to warm to him. This is a really sweet story, I liked how they came to trust each other and commit to their marriage.

The Widow of St Charles Ave.
Colette wants to do more with her life than attend parties and wear pretty dresses, so she volunteers at an orphanage, and opens a school in her home, with the help of her friend Malcom. But when a flame from the past returns wanting to reignite the spark she has a choice to make.

The Prickly Pear Bride
This one was one of my favorites. Cole is looking for a good place to put down roots with a ranch of his own, and he meets a sheepherder that he can't forget. Evelyn has been watching the sheep since her grandfather broke his leg, Cole is worried about Evelyn and he does what he can to help them out, delivering supplies, which gives him time to get to know Evelyn.

Married by Mistake
Bessie wants to be married, but she doesn't like the traditional courtship rituals. Thomas really likes Bessie, but he doesn't think he will ever marry because the mistakes of his past. So his friend Archies takes it into his mind to help them out!

Love in Disguise
Anna is one of my favorite characters, she has made a life for herself in Colorado and has found a way to help the local Natives by selling their goods in her store. But when a face from her past walks through her front door, as Trevor gets to know Anna better he admires the woman that has become and her independence.

What the Heart Sees
Miriam recognizes a prisoner of war that she met before the start of WWII in Germany. Paul is a man of faith, and he works hard to prove himself. Miriam's father disapproves and wants her to marry their neighbor. But Paul and Miriam get their second chance?

I loved how all of these stories had a theme of second chances and love and faith in various situations.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

This is a very enjoyable collection of nine stories taking place between 1776 and 1944. The characters come from varying stations in life in different setting involving farmers, sheepherders, seafarers, railroad workers and socialites. The book started with a story involving a Hessian soldier and ended with one involving a German soldier, between those bookends were packed some delightful stories that contained tragedy, misunderstanding, change and finally a happy ending. I met some delightful characters and some antagonists that made life difficult and added interest each story.
I enjoy historical stories; this collection was a smorgasbord of good historical novellas that I would recommend.

I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley. This is my honest opinion is solely my own.

While I loved each and every story here, I'm going to focus on my favorite - Fanned Embers by Angela Breidenbach.

This was such a great story. I loved Julianna and Lukas and how their characters came together. Julianna was stubborn and didn't really seem to like where she was. At all. Lesson learned here? Sometimes the Lord has you right where He wants you - and you just have to accept that! I love how Lukas automatically became her protector. I pretty much liked him instantaneously at that point. He's the kind of man you want on your side!

I found it kind of amusing how Julianna and Lukas tried to keep their feelings at bay, ignore them, and push them aside. As a reader, you almost get frustrated, but continue reading because you need to see what the author has in store for them. Sometimes it takes a disaster to bring two people together. And sometimes this disaster is a great way for a hero to show off his "knight and shining armor" abilities.

Again, all of these stories were wonderful, romantic, and a joy to read. I think you'll find yourself smiling at the end of each and every one of them! I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Second Chance Brides is a collection of nine historical romance set in American history from the Revolutionary War thru World War 2.

Meet nine women who each believe their chance for lifelong love has passed them by.
From the girls who lost their beaus to war, to the wallflowers overshadowed by others, and the widows deeply hurt by their loss.

Experience the sweet pull of romance on each life and the blossom of faith that leads them to brighter futures.


I received this book through Net Galley and was not required to give a positive review.

2.5 stars. Sweet, Christian short stories offering hope and second chances.

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley in exchange of an honest review.**

The Second Chance Brides Collection

Nine Historical Romances Offer New Hope for Love



by Lauralee Bliss, Angela Breidenbach, Ramona K. Cecil, Pamela Griffin, Grace Hitchcock, Pam Hillman, Laura V. Hilton, Tiffany Amber Stockton, Liz Tolsma

Barbour Publishing, Inc.

Barbour Books



Christian , General Fiction (Adult)

Pub Date 01 Aug 2017



I am reviewing The Second Chances Bride Collection through Barbour Books and Netgalley:

In Love In the Crossfire Lauralee Bliss transports us back to 1776 Trenton New Jersey where we meet Gretchen Hanson her Beau has gone off to war and unfortunately never returns. She then falls for an enemy scout her stumbles upon her land. If Jake is discovered it could mean the death of them.

In the Second Story Daughter Of Orion by Ramona Cecil we are transported back to New Bedford Massachusetts in 1859 where we meet whaling widow Matilda Daggett who vows to never give her heart to another seamen. But when she meets a young harpoonner that vow is threatened when she starts to fall for him.

The Substitute Husband and Unexpected Bride by Pamela Griffin takes us to the Washington Territory in 1864 where we meet mail order Bride Cecilly McGiver who arrives in the rugged Washington Territory to find herself without a husband until she meets Garett a widower who offers to be her husband. Will she accept the offer?

In the Pricky Pear Bride by Pam Hillman we are transported to 1884 Little Prickly Pear Creek in the Montana Territory. Shepherdess Evelyn Arnold left her intended at the altar dubbing her the Prickly Pear Bride. Evelyn has resigned herself to a loveless life and being ridiculed by her neighbors when Cole Rawlins sweeps her out of a raging river and he realizes even a Prickly Pear can find love.

The Widow of Saint Charles by Grace Hitchcock takes us to 1895 New Orleans where we meet Colette Oliver a young widow who married out of obligation. After she finds herself at the end of her mourning period and finds herself drawn to an unlikely choice for Suitor.

In Married by Mistake by Laura V Hinton we are transported back to Mackianic Island, 1902 where we meet Thomas Hale and Bessie O’Hare find themselves legally married will they continue the charade or walk away.

Fanned Embers by Angela Breidenbach takes us to Bitterroot Mountains Montana/ Idaho Border in 1910 Julian Hayes is stranded at a railroad camp after her husbands murder. She has no desire to marry a rough man like Lukas Flipps. Can she release her prejudice and allow love to enter in.

From A Distance by Tiffany Amber Stockton takes us to Breckenridge Colorado in the 1920’s. Trevor Fox a financial manager searches out to find a lady to love him and not just his money. But he meets and falls for an average girl only to find out that she’d deceived him to protect her heart after he unwittingly rejected her.

In the final Novella What the Heart Sees by Liz Tolsma takes us to Hartford Wisconsin in 1944. American woman Miriam Kohn is more than a little surprised to see Paul Abrecht her summer fling in 1939 escorted into a church as a POW. Will they be able to rekindle there romance despite everyone’s objections.

I give The Second Chances Bride Collection five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

I really enjoyed all of these sweet, "second chance" stories. Some of the second chances involved widows/widowers who had lost a love and were getting a second chance at love, while some of them involved people getting a second chance with a former love. These stories were not connected, other than through the theme of second-chance Brides, so they are all stand-alone stories. I really enjoyed reading them. The stories are a perfect length for a time when I want to finish a story in one sitting, yet there is still so much depth and faith portrayed throughout. Very talented authors in this collection.

A fabulous collection of stories by some of today's top Christian fiction authors. People who think all hope of love is past find themselves with a second chance at love ,all in God's timing. I really love Barbour Collections,such beautiful covers and I can always count on beautiful faith filled inspiring stories.
Pub Date 01 Aug 2017
Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing, Inc. for a review copy in exchange for my honest review.

The Second Chance Brides Collection
Lovers of historical romance will certainly find something to enjoy in this set of nine stories that span from the Revolutionary War to World War 2. Men and women are given a second chance at love while growing their faith.
In the first story, Love in the Crossfire, Gretchen’s fiancé left for war and never returned. She lives with her father and they try to survive while keeping their small farm running. When Jake, from the enemy’s army, arrives and hides in their barn, Gretchen must choose what is best for her. Is it the war her fiancé fought and died for or is it new independence and freedom from Britain? And how will Jake fit into her choices?
The next story is Daughter of Orion. Matilda disguises herself as a cabin boy on a ship in order to make enough money to pay off her father’s debts when he is killed in a whaling accident. The work is grueling and exhausting, but she is determined. She meets Tom, a handsome harpooner; she has to remember that he thinks she is a boy, all the while fighting her growing feelings for him. When a storm comes upon them, they must fight for their lives and each other.
In The Substitute Husband and the Unexpected Bride, Cecily travels with her young sister all the way to Washington Territory where she is to marry a young man she once knew. However, upon arrival, she finds that he has been killed in a work accident. Unable to find work and unsure what to do, she accepts a proposal from Garret, who worked with her betrothed. The marriage is to be in name only, until they are comfortable together. Can they intertwine their two lives and become a marriage of love?
The Prickly Pear Bride was my favorite of the stories. In it, Evelyn is a Shepherdess, helping her grandfather with his sheep. She is known all over town as the lady who left her groom at the altar. However, she didn’t leave him there because she was prickly; she left him so he could find true happiness with the one he actually loved. When Cole rides into town to start a cattle ranch, he saves her and the sheep from an overflowing creek. Can he also save her from her reputation and herself?
The Widow of St. Charles Avenue is about Colette, a young woman who married a man out of obligation. When he passes and she finds herself out in society again, she discovers many men are just interested in her wealthy late husband’s inheritance. When she starts helping Malcolm teach young boys at an orphanage, she finds her heart stolen by the boys and maybe even by Malcolm.
In Married By Mistake, Thomas and Bessie pose for photographs for a friend who wants to open his home up as a resort. In the photos, they are to be getting married. What they don’t know though, is that it isn’t just a photo shoot; it is a real wedding. What happens next? Do they stay married, get an annulment, or even worse, a divorce? This funny story will lighten your heart as you watch them find true happiness together.
In Fanned Embers, Juliana works hard as a baker to save enough money to get away from the railroad camp where she lived with her late husband. She is constantly besieged with requests for her hand from the rough miners. When Lukas offers to help keep the would-be suitors at bay by pretending to be in a relationship with her, she accepts his offer. However, as they get to know each other, can their relationship move past the pretend phase? And when a fire breaks out and takes over much of the mountain where they live and work, can they survive and find their happy ending?
From a Distance tells the story of Trevor and Anna, two people who once knew each other, although Trevor doesn’t remember Anna. She chooses to keep their past affiliation a secret because she is afraid he may not want to see her anymore if he knows the truth. Trevor finds himself falling for her, but when he discovers the truth, he isn’t sure he can trust her. Can the two of them find their way back to each other for the third time?
Finally, in What the Heart Sees, Miriam and Paul must find a way to be together. Five years prior, they met and fell in love in Germany when she was there with her mother. Now, World War 2 is happening and Paul is a POW in her home town. But, prejudice and anger at the Germans makes it seem almost impossible for them to follow their hearts and find what they once had. Her father, especially, is against the idea. When meeting in secret causes them both to get into trouble, will they ever find their way back to each other?
I really enjoyed these stories. They were fun and lighthearted and easy to read. If you enjoy history and romance, you will find a smile on the pages of this book.
I received a free copy of this story from NetGalley for my honest opinion.