This was nice collection of historical fictional novellas. Four of the stories are about sisters written by different authors. The 2nd one, “From Carriage to Marriage” by Janelle Burnham Schneider has to be my favorite. It was so sweet. I would have love that to be a full length novel.

Thank you NetGalley!

Unfortunately, the stories in this collection were not for me. I tried several but just couldn't get into them. Thanks for the opportunity to read them!

Nice long read. I hate a good book to end, so it's nice to read a collection like this that keeps it going. I also think it takes a little something extra to write a really interesting story with depth and still be novella length. These are all master storytellers. You don't feel like the story is cut short. Each is a unique experience, holds interesting experience and walk of faith. A few of the stories are linked together, their being sisters who were an answer to an ad - or were they? God has plans for us that we don't always understand, but He knows what we need all along.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Publisher and Netgalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 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.

All good tales to keep the pages turning. Sit back and relax.

Ebook from netgalley and publishers with thanks. Opinions are entirely my own.

This collection of novellas is a gold mine of fantastic authors including Cathy Maria Hake, JoAnn Grote, and Kelly Eileen Hake to name a few. You will find excellent "bang for your buck" with nine stories included in the "Bartered Bride Romance Collection." There is a nice variety of stories with a vast array of endearing characters woven into these novellas.

To those of you that don't read novellas (I used to be one of you), I have recently discovered the appeal of these shorter reads as time becomes a more difficult commodity to come by in my crazy life. It's nice to be able to sit down and read an entire story without having to spend hours doing so. Novellas are a wonderful way to get your story fix while not totally neglecting the mountain of chores or work that need doing.

"The Bartered Bride Collection" is a great book and I thoroughly enjoyed reading the stories. I would definitely recommend it. Thank-you to Net Galley and to Barbour Publishing for a complimentary copy of this novella collection.

The Bartered Bride Romance Collection is one of my favorite Romance Novella Collections. It contains 9 Novellas and each one is almost better than the last - almost - each one stands alone and each one is delightful yet complicated, adventurous and downright descriptive, jam-packed - with light hearted moments, hearts being torn, soulful and full of trusting in the LORD - as it should be... The first one is about pre-arrangement, deeply disappointment, feels like wrong brother is picked - will she ever love him? You have one that is about loss and desperate situations arising and learning to follow the will of GOD, Another is about love arranged in writing - another is about accidental love - another is about very protective love - another is about take over ever thing love? another is about preconceived perceptions - will they be able to get over it? Another one is about misrepresentation's, love at first sight and a vow to GOD. - what will win out? Lastly you have one about pre-arrangement, elopement, pride and financial arrangement - will he love the runner up? I received a copy of this book from the Publisher and Netgalley; all of the opinions expressed in the review are all my own.

This a very nice collection of stories that take place during the 1800's. Not all the stories are connected but some are and it was fun to follow four sisters as each of their stories unfolded. Good clean reading, refreshing and enjoyable.

I sometimes find it difficult to read a collection of short stories in one book, but this was actually captivating. I love how the authors made sure that they resolved the issues the main characters had at the beginning of each story. I always was a fan of how an arranged marriage will unfold until the end, how the main characters will learn to love each other. It’s really nice to see characters who felt so real. It wasn’t actually difficult to care about the main characters because they all had different situations that you could actually relate to, like how Edouard LeBlanc had to forego life disappointments and learn to love again. Also, how Charity and Ethan might be in different social classes but learned to see through it. Seeing all the main characters getting through all the difficulties in life and learn to love again is what I love about this collection.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in short stories with interesting characters that are very realistic. I received a copy of this book from NetGalley for an honest review.

These 9 women have to make a decision that will change their lives forever.. These 9 men aren't looking for the love of their lives. When God puts them together under usual circumstances they must come together or risk the growing love that God shows them for each other. Can they over come the circumstances that brought them together and love each other as God intended all along?

Josie's De Vivre Lynette Sowell July 1819 near New Orleans
Josie is living with the LeBlanc family since her parents died when she was 6. It's her 18th birthday and there's a party in her honor, Eduard is the oldest son of the LeBlanc children. He went away to war and came back injured and the woman he loved didn't wait married another, He lives alone in the old family cabin. Josie's guardian has a surprise for her birthday. Eduard and Josie are surprised when it's announced they're to be married. She thought she might marry the younger brother. Finding no way out of it they marry and adjust to living together and getting to know each other. Wanting advice they go to the parents for advice. Josie and Eduard realize that they've fallen for the other. When they attend a party Eduard's old flame tries to reconnect with him. Josie is a witness to it and heads for home. When a runaway team knocks Josie into the bayou it's up to Eduard and his family to find her and. He finds her and they declare their love for each other and a family is formed.

The Button String Bride Cathy Marie Hake Oregon Trail

Charity's parents die while on the trail. Ethan's sister-in-law heads back east. The wagon train council tells them to combine their wagons or be left behind. Agreeing to make the best of the situation. Ethan thinks Charity is to delicate for the trail, but her work ethic & believe in God impresses him. As they get to know each other and work together the trip gets easier. Charity lives up to her name at a stop at Fort Laramie by buying enough supplies for the whole group, Ethan worries she's spending too much but is convinced otherwise. For Charity's birthday she is given several buttons for her necklace and not realizing that Ethan gave her the 1000th one, which is to come from her intended husband. Giving it back Charity and Ethan continue on. Members of the train get sick including his daughter and they come together to make her well. When the button goes missing that they put on the wagon, Charity is devastated, until Ethan shows up with it and declares his love & proposes. A year later there is to be an addition to the family.

The Wedding Wager Cathy Marie Hake Baltimore, Maryland 1860
Bethany has grown up in a fancy girl's school. She receives a letter from her classmate's brother. Joshua met her when she visited one Christmas. He proposes and she accepts. They start their lives together on the trip to Oregon with his family, Josh gets jealous of how much time Bethany is spending time with his family, Bethany has a secret that she doesn't want to reveal. While crossing a river she faints and Josh finds out about her fear and promises her to help in the future, Bethany takes to being a doctor's wife easily. As they continue on their journey Bethany gets involved with the other members of the train. Finally, Josh is so tired he let's Bethany know his feelings. Bethany being confused goes to a friend for advice, Deciding to change her of attitude. They declare their love for each other and realize they've travelled a third of the way & she's happy with her home of a wagon,

From Halter to Altar Cathy Marie Hake Dakota Territory 1868
Matilda and her sisters have just stepped off the train. James is the man they're to meet. Matti is there thinking that she's getting married. James is there to pick up a shipment of bridles. When they realize the mix up James feels obligated to take them in until they can get back on the train to head somewhere else, Matti's and Jim's ideas of what should happen are different. All the while do to circumstances beyond their control the women stay longer than intended and their feelings for each other grow and the added complication of every man in the area comes courting the 4 women. When a barbeque is planned to get the women the votes they need to start their business. Jim scrambles to keep the other men away from the women. Their brother in law shows up wanting the money for the women and it goes to court Jim is told to pay $1.50 for each woman. A proposal is made and accepted and the marriage takes place.

Carriage to Marriage Janelle Burnham Schneider Wyoming Territory 1868
Corrine (Corrie) Taylor is Matti's twin sister and she arrived with her other sisters to the Collingwood Ranch because of a misunderstanding. A recent widow with a baby on the way she catches the eye of Luke the younger Collingwood brother, He feels Corrie is the fragile one and wants to protect her. A problem is that she doesn't want to marry but to open a bakery. It's a successful business. The men go on a cattle drive but on the way home Luke gets the feeling something is wrong. Corrie takes a break and ends up having an issue with the baby and has to be bed ridden to save the baby, Luke keeps her company, Corrie realizes with God's help that she can love some one again. Luke realizes he loves her and must take his time with Corrie to love him. When she goes into labor Luke is there to help and twin girls are born. Corrie realizes her daughters nee a man in their lives and she loves Luke. She lets him know she's ready to have a relationship.

From Pride to Bride JoAnn A Grote Lickwind Wyoming May 1969
Bess is tired of all the marriage proposals. When they arrive at church and it starts to rain she takes everyone to the saloon for services. Thinking its amusing Gideon agrees. Gideon is invited to the meal after and he's the only official man invited, which he enjoys. He offers to rent Bess and her sister his newly built house to that they can run a bakery/restaurant in town. It's an instant success. Gideon starts protecting the women. Bess takes in the dance hall girl's brother. She starts a school besides her business. A plan is made to build a school and church. Not everyone is in favor of the plan but funds are raised. Gideon and Bess declare they love and turn the saloon into a restaurant. Bess makes sure that her sister has a place. Gideon reimburses Jim for Bess.

From Alarming to Charming Pamela Kaye Tracy Lickwind, Wyoming July 1869
Bertie the last of the sisters who came by mistake is mistaken for a boy. Until Bess comes to get her. Thomas is back in town after years away and runs into the man who caused his family to leave, Thomas doesn't want anything to do with Bertie but she keeps coming to his ranch to help out, Bertie over hears a conversation that is wanting her to change into a woman. She take over teaching from her sister until there is a complaint by a parent. Things are going wrong at Thomas's ranch and Bertie and Bess start to make teaching trips out to his ranch. Bertie sees some suspicious men. Thomas starts coming to town for supper to spend time with Bertie. he makes a visit to church and receives a surprise visitor. Bess warns Bertie away from Thomas but see reveals her feelings. Determined to tell him her feelings she heads for the ranch and comes across men stealing cattle. A neighbor tells the truth and Thomas's and his father's past are revealed. Forgiveness is given. In 1874 a family portrait is taken twice of the 4 sisters and their families.

A Vow Unbroken Amy Rognlie Littleton, Colorado 1881
Abby has a decision to make. After arriving at her destination to meet James. James is expecting someone else and his mad and confused about Abby's arrival. he takes time to think and then they go through with the wedding. Abby make a vow to him that he hopes to change with time. As time passes and they get closer but Abby is determined to keep the vow she made. Abby has the child she was carrying. James is frustrated that he hasn't changed her mind yet, When the child gets sick they pray and he moves to the barn. Moving back into the house James shows Abby to understand about her vow. It's gotten cold is about to storm when Abby awakes and notices the barn on fire. While they put out the fire Abby realizes she loves James and tells him. James makes sure she wants to be a true wife and the answer is Yes. A year later there is another addition to the family. She tells her children that they'll always be loved by their parents and God.

Finishing Touches Kelly Eileen Hake Hannibal, Missouri 1898
Libby is put in a situation that shocks her and her groom. She's had feelings for Gregory since she met him. Like everyone else they only see her sister the cause of a potential scandal. Gregory agrees to the change of brides and they get married. Libby is left alone for awhile and decorates the house in the style that Gregory would like. Making friends with his mother she finds an ally. Gregory returns to find a letter addressed to his wife from her sister and the next time she's in the house and that sends him away again. He returns to find his wife holding a party with her sister in attendance. It causes a fight with Libby and he leaves again. They end up making a compromise. he spends time with his wife at home. She misinterprets a hidden stairway from their bedroom. He realizes that Libby has decorated the house with him in mind. Gregory invites Libby on his next trip to find out she feels about him. Love is declared and talk of starting a family.

These 9 stories of love show what happens when someone unexpected comes into your life that you weren't looking for and that an arranged marriage can turn into true love. God has his reason for putting these people together and that they realize this person is a gift from God to be cherished and shows up in unusual ways.

I really enjoyed this romance collection. I read the first story in this collection a few years ago, 'Joie De Vivre', and I was excited to see that in this collection. I've always enjoyed reading about the LeBlanc family, and I recall reading this very story before and loved it. I look forward to reading more stories written by these authors.

As with any collection ,I had my favorite stories.Button String Bride and from Halter to Alter were my favorites.I would rate them five star.I was not a fan of a few others and would have only given them a 3..all in all a good Novella.I would recommend this read.
The Bartered Bride Collection has nine short stories based around the frontier.The stories are centered around Mail Order Brides,arranged marriages,or marriages of convience.The stories are well thought and written by some of my favorite authors.

Joie De Vivre by Lynette Sowell
Button String Bride by Cathy Marie Hake
The Wedding Wagon by Cathy Marie Hake
From Halter to Altar by Cathy Marie Hake
From Carriage to Marriage by Janelle Burnham Schneider
From Pride to Bride by JoAnn A Grote
From Alarming to Charming by Pamela Kaye Tracy
A Vow Unbroken by Amy Rognlie
Finishing Touches by Kelly Eileen Hake

A fun collection to read and I enjoyed each of the novella’s presented. I really enjoyed the 4 stories with the 4 sisters as I’m one who loves seeing characters from previous stories in successive ones.
A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Barbour Publishing through NetGalley. No review was required and thoughts and opinions are my own.

I am always so excited to see a Barbour Romance collection being released. I have been reading these collections for almost 20 years now and they never fail to excite me with a new arrival. It's so much fun to be invested in the characters and see how their lives and their situation develop. I will always highly recommend Barbour Collections!
Pub Date 01 May 2018
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Books through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This is an enjoyable collection of Christian historical romances. The stories range from an arranged marriage to a different brother than expected to substitute brides, and four connected stories about four sisters who find their true loves in a small town. I received a copy of this collection from the publisher through Net Gallery. This is my honest and voluntarily given review. This is a collection that you can savor and pick up and reread later.

I liked every story in this collection. There’s a group of great authors who have written these stories. All the storylines are interesting, and the characters fit together well. These kinds of stories can sometimes seem a little rushed to get to the end of the story, but I didn’t get that feeling with this collection. The historical details all seemed accurate. For those times when you’d like a shorter story, this is a great book. As collections go, I’d give this one five stars.

I received a copy of this book for review. I was not required to give a positive review. This is my honest opinion about this book.

Barbour Books has put together another enjoyable collection of historical romances. This set of stories spans a number of time periods and locations and focuses on arranged marriages.

Joie De Vivre by Lynette Sowell

When Josée Broussard turned 18, she thought if she had to marry someone it would be her childhood friend. Instead, his parents have arranged for her to marry their reclusive oldest son, Edouard LeBlanc.

-I like when there are troubles and a character has to go through a hard time; unlike Edouard’s brother who wasn’t responsible and lived a charmed life.

-I found Josée too fickle and she and Edouard fell in love too fast.

-I enjoyed learning about the culture, especially during this time period.



Button Strong Bride by Cathy Marie Hake

Charity Davis loses her parents along the grueling Oregon Trail. She combines wagons with widower Ethan Cole so he can help her and she can take care of his children. When a potentially embarrassing situation happens they must turn to God and follow his will.

-This was one of my favorites in the collection! There were lots of interesting details and I liked the characters, plots and time period. I really liked learning about the traditions like the button string.



The Wedding Wagon by Cathy Marie Hake

Bethany Handley grew up without a family. After meeting her friend’s brother, Joshua Rogers, at Christmas and exchanging letters they decide to marry before hitting the Oregon Trail. While learning more about each other, they must also learn to put each other before others.

-I liked a lot about this story. The time period, historical details, and characters were excellent. I also liked the real life relationship issues and the fact that they were struggling to put their spouse first. There were so many true to life situations.

-The ending seemed abrupt and I wish it could have been extended with more details.



From Halter to Alter by Cathy Marie Hake

James Collingswood sends a request for horse bridles and instead receives 4 mail order brides. Despite his every intention, will he lose his heart?

-I really enjoyed this one. This was such an interesting and funny concept for a story! For a short story, I was surprised at how much depth each character had.

-This story, along with the next 3, really fit with the book title because the brother in law was bartering for the women and treating them like chattel.

-I stayed up late finishing this one then realized the next one was a continuation. I was excited that the story would continue, yet sad I would have to wait to read it. 🙂



From Carriage to Marriage by Janelle Burnham Schneider

The story continues with Luke Collingswood and Corrine who is a recent widow and in the family way. While Luke feels protective of all the sisters, he begins to fall in love with Corrine. If he rushes things, will he lose any chance with her?

-This was an adorable continuation of “From Halter to Alter”.

-Luke was my favorite character in this story. I love how he acted with all the sisters as well as the children.

-Even though the story will continue in “From Pride to Bride”, I still wish the last scene in this story would have been a little longer.



From Pride to Bride by JoAnne A. Grote

The “bridle” sister stories continue with Bess and Bertie moving into town and running a baking business. “Bossy Bess” pushes her way into saloon owner Gideon’s life by taking over his saloon for a church and a school. Will she also be able to take over his heart and lead it back to God?

-Like the previous ones, I loved this continuation.

-The message in this story that God wants us to help all souls was a great one. I also like that the hero wasn’t “perfect” and that Bess could see his hurting heart and the reasons he made the choices he did.

-Like the other sister stories, I would have loved for this story to be longer.



From Alarming to Charming by Pamela Kaye Tracy

Tomboy Bertie Craig meets Thomas Hardin and wishes that she was more mature, feminine and no longer a squirt. Thomas comes back years after he and his father had been run out of town on charges of cattle rustling. Will Thomas be able to get over his past? And will Bertie always be seen as a squirt?

-The series continues with interesting characters and good storylines. However, this book definitely could have benefited from being longer. The shorter length did not do it justice.

-Though I appreciate seeing more on the characters, I am not a fan of epilogues with so many new characters in such a condensed space. It seemed more like a listing of names.

-Overall, this story was a good wrap-up to the series.



A Vow Unbroke by Amy Rognlie

Through letters, James and Caroline agreed to marry. Instead of his fiancée, James is greeted with Caroline’s pregnant widowed niece, Abby, who arrived in her place. James instantly falls in love but Abby has made a vow to God that she will never love again.

-Unfortunately, this was my least favorite story in the collection.

-It was dishonest of elderly Aunt Caroline to correspond with James and agree to marry him when she had no intention of doing so. She also most likely misrepresented herself.

-I didn’t like that James fell instantly in love, even though he admits he doesn’t even know Abby.

-Throughout this story, I was wondering how this situation could possibly resolve itself successfully. I don’t think it ever did. James agreed that his marriage would be one of convenience and knew that Abby didn’t want a real marriage but he expected to change her mind and would get angry when she didn’t agree. This wasn’t just about a small issue, Abby made a vow to God.


Numbers 30:2 – If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.


Deuteronomy 23:21 – When thou shalt vow a vow unto the LORD thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the LORD thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee.



Finishing Touches by Kelly Eileen Hake

Right before Gregory’s wedding, his future bride Tabitha runs away and elopes with another man. Due to pride and a financial arrangement, he is forced to marry Tabitha’s sister Libby who has secretly had feelings for him. Will Gregory be able to forget Tabitha and love Libby for who she is?

-I liked most of this story, however, the way Gregory’s heart started to turn seemed superficial.

-Gregory’s actions bothered me at times. While I can understand the emotions he was going through, he reacted to them in a negative, though entirely human, way. Libby was a strong, faithful character. There were many times she could have hidden herself away but she strived to do God’s will and be the best wife she could be.

-This story was a nice ending to this collection.

The Bartered Bride Romance Collection 9 Historical Stories of Arranged Marriages is a fabulous collection of nine stories. These stories include:
Joie De Vivre by Lynette Sowell
Button String Bride by Cathy Marie Hake
The Wedding Wagon by Cathy Marie Hake
From Halter to Altar by Cathy Marie Hake
From Carriage to Marriage by Janelle Burnham Schneider
From Pride to Bride by JoAnn A. Grote
From Alarming to Charming by Pamela Kaye Tracy
A Vow Unbroken by Amy Rognlie
Finishing Touches by Kelly Eileen Hake
I enjoyed most of these stories. My favorite would have to be Kelly Eileen Hake’s Finishing Touches.
I give this collection 4 1/2 stars.

I have to confess that when I first saw this book on my Netgalley dashboard, I misread it as "battered" which instantly piqued my interest since I have come across very few titles on domestic violence. However, when I finally got down to reading it I discovered that it was "bartered". Nonetheless, as I came to discover, the women in these stories have been battered by different life occurrences that force them to arranged marriages.

In this compilation of nine stories from fictional women who lived in the 1800s who were forced into marriage to maintain their social status, security and save face. From mail-order arrangements, taking the place of one's eloped sister to convenient arrangements to survive the Oregon trail, the stories of these women will warm the readers' hearts. Readers will appreciate reading from both the men and women's perspective because, in most instances, society fails the equal pressure put on the men in these circumstances.

My personal favourite story was Joie De Vivre at the beginning of the book that tells the story of a battle-scarred soldier whose parents arrange for him to marry a younger woman who is infatuated with his younger. Edouard LeBlanc and Josée Broussard's love story shows the importance of finding joy in the mundane activities and how they bolster the relationships. In addition, it sets the pace of the novel.Lynette Sowell's story stood out because it was set in French New Orleans which I rarely read about. Though, my only critique of this story is the heavy use of French words that contribute to the novella's authenticity but can be frustrating for non-French speakers.

Overall, this would be a great book to cuddle with in the colder months or when you need a pick me up.

An endearing collection of short stories of Christian, Western historical fiction. There are three of the stories that have the same cast of characters centered around the fictional town of Lickwind, Wyoming. I loved these stories and I know that it will warm your heart while you are treated to sweet stories of love and family.

The Bartered Bride Romance Collection will be available from Barbour Books on May 1, 2018. An egalley of this book was made available by the publisher in exchange for a honest review.

This is a wonderful collection of historical stories of hardship and love in mid to late 1800's.
I enjoyed every book in the collection. The stories are of chance meetings on the prairie, marriages of convenience or of mail order brides. These books will pull at your heartstrings. Each book has biblical messages of hope and faith. I highly recommend this collection.