The Heart of the frontier
The Gamble by Brittnay Larsen
This is a collection of sweet historical western story’s. The first one is of a man that comes to the wild frontier from England. He has made a large investment in the cattle industry. I enjoyed the writing of this story and the strong willed character of Ella. She was smart and sassy. I that the story was solid and entertaining.
Her Frontier Bandit by Jen Geigle Johnson
Another cute story about a young women and her father, moving to the Wild West, from Boston. Her father is going to be the new Doctor in town. On their journey, their train was held up by bandits. When Becky caught a glimpse of one of the bandits, she couldn’t believe her eyes. A young man who had proposed to her and then fled the area, two years prior, with nairy a word. Great characters and story. I was wondering how the happily ever after would work out in this story. But the author did her amazing writing and with some twists and turns, she brought a smile to my lips!
Sagebrush Sally by Jennie Hanson
This story follows a young woman and her father that came to the wild frontier, after losing the farm in England. Arriving to help his Brother work his ranch in Idaho. Sally is immediately smitten with two handsome cowboys. The story was filled with young love and many dangerous moments, but through it all Sally found her forever love. Nice writing and good characters.
Celebration for Celia by Carolyn Twede Frank
Celia thought she had her life all figured out. But when a grimy face man was hurt, she nursing skills kick to gear. From then on her life was turned upside down. I enjoyed this story a lot. Sometimes your life changes and throws you off course. Celia was strong and wise, she had a choice to make. Great writing and storyline.
Over all I really enjoyed this book. Short stories you can read in an hour for a mini break.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This western romance collection has four amazing stories inside! I loved each and every one of them. I love collections because if I don’t have a ton of time to read, I can at least read one of the novellas!
The Gamble by Brittany Larsen was a great piece about an English gambler turned investor in the cattle business in America. He is asked to escort a girl on his way to Wyoming. He ends up with a big surprise in Ella. I loved her spark and tenacity.
Next up is Her Frontier Bandit by Jen Geigle Johnson. This was a story I could not put down! I loved Rebecca’s adventures with her Dad our west. Her culture shock from moving from Boston to Grant’s Landing out west was significant. This story is packed with action and suspense. I loved it!
Sagebrush Sally by Jennie Hansen was an adventure in moving from England to rural Idaho. Sally encounters handsome cowboys and cattle rustlers. I loved watching her blossom and become more confident in herself throughout the story.
Last but certainly not least is Celebration for Celia by Carolyn Twede Frank. I loved this story of redemption and love. Celia was quite the chronic complainer yet such a kind person. Bruce was the happiest guy around and I loved his attitude in life. This love story was a journey and I enjoyed each step of it.
This is a wonderful collection of western romance novellas and I highly recommend them to fans of clean and historical romance. I received a copy of this book for free; all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Readers will enjoy this intriguing blend of stories set on the American frontier. I didn’t personally connect with any of these stories—novellas don’t always allow for pleasing plot development, and unfortunately this collection was a victim of that. I did enjoy the writing styles of these authors, but none of the stories really captivated me.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I enjoyed this anthology of sweet clean western romances! I liked the different voices of each author and the individual stories! Perfect reads for when you have a short amount of time but want to read a complete story!

I received an ARC from Netgalley and all opinions are my own.

I look forward to anthologies of Novellas. This gives me the opportunity for a shorter read and more stories to read. This one did not disappoint,

Each of these stories was unique in the subject matter and characters and I was able to find connection to each one. There were bad guys and good guys, train robbers, ranchers, farmers, and a little bit of everything. These were complete stories with compelling characters. I did not feel that I was missing anything with them being shorter stories.
The first story was the Gamble. In this story an English Lord invests in American Cattle and is to help escort a young lady to the ranch in which he is investing. What follows is a story of trust, of self-discovery, and of love. It was compelling and surprising, It was a delightful tale that I will gladly read again.

The second story, Her Frontier Bandit, was possibly my favorite based on the main characters alone. Rebecca and her father moved west only to find that the man who had left her was already there and all was not what it seemed. In this world of lawmen and bandits, it's difficult to know who is who.

Story number three, Sagebrush Sally, hit me in the feelings right away as it occurred in the very places I knew growing up. Sally had come from England with her father to her uncle's ranch in Idaho Territory. She got there during a bout of cattle rustling and worked to learn to live in the wild west. She showed gumption and fortitude in the things that were faced as well as compassion and caring. She learned her heart. I was charmed by this little story.

The final story was also set in Idaho. Celebration for Celia found Celia waiting for her beau to propose to her and marry her. She and her sister came across a stranger while looking through a rock formation. Her sister is saved by the stranger but not before his leg is pinned. What follows is Celia and her family nursing him back to health, during which time Celia finds herself reexamining what she wants. This is a story with compassion and depth.

All in all, I loved this compilation and look forward to reading it again. I received an early copy through the publisher and NetGalley and this is my honest review.

This compilation of western romances showcases the hard-work and romanticism that is so prominent in the time period and location. From the bustle of the cities back East to the desolation of small-towns in Idaho and Wyoming, the authors in these stories paint the scenery with the beauty that can be found. All four of these authors came up with adventurous stories to tell-including bank robbers, train bandits, gun fights, and cattle thieves these stories make for an enjoyable read. While these novellas don't have any common characters, there is a consistency in the how they really showcase the heart of the west.

Something I love about novella collections is the ability to finish one story and take a break before moving on to the next one. With a busy mom life, having no cliffhangers keeping me up late at night is a good thing and these stories gave me the warm fuzzies that come from reading the happily ever afters of some deserving characters. They have character growth and are the perfect length for the stories the authors decided to tell. I truly enjoyed this collection.

Four talented authors and four wonderful stories! Take a step back in time in this entertaining collection of novellas. As a lover of historical fiction, I found this book truly a treasure. Each one is a story of courage and strength in sometimes the most difficult and challenging circumstances.

THE GAMBLE by Brittany Larsen
Thomas Clayborne came to America to escape England's class system and to be his own man, not a title he has inherited, and to reform from his gambling ways. After a huge loss at the racetrack, and meeting the Howes, he decides to take one last gamble, by trying his luck in the cattle business, by partnering with Jasper Howe, and his beautiful daughter, Clara.
But what is in the cards for him, when Clara asks him to accompany her young friend Ella to Cheyenne? When things are not as he expected when he gets to Cheyenne and the mystery surrounding Ella's reasons to be there, can he still find the desires of his heart at the end of the race?

THE FRONTIER BANDIT by Jen Geigle Johnson
Rebecca Bailey enjoyed her Boston life, but after turning down the man she was in love with, she decides to go with her father to Grants Landing, where he has accepted a position as the doctor, . Will a train robbery, and a mysterious handkerchief in her hand lead her back to true love, she thought she had lost.

SAGEBRUSH SALLY by Jennie Hansen
I especially loved this one, because I have known Jennie most of my life, and because the setting is not far from my home..
Springing up out of the sagebrush and lavas of eastern Idaho, Jennie brings us this story of Sally and her father who left their home in England to join his brother at a cattle ranch near what was then Eagle, Idaho.. Upon their arrival, things seem pretty bleak in this "ramshackle" looking place. Can she find the future she dreams for herself in this place? ,But the excitement escalates quickly, as a young man, Gabe, saves them from being swept over a cliff by their runaway horses. Learning about ranch life at her uncles, rowdy locals, cattle rustlers and danger at every turn, that test her strength and courage, and after a terror filled night trapped in the lavas, she rises heroically to the challenge.

CELEBRATION FOR CELIA by Catherine Swede Frank

A story about Celia and her family who came to homestead in remote Almo, Idaho. Not having been able to celebrate her favorite holiday, the Fourth of July since leaving Massachusetts, and growing doubts about the man she left behind, have left her sad and unsure. Can a chance encounter with a travel worn and very grimey stranger change her heart and help her realize her dream, and bring back the spark in her life? A heartwarming story of family, hope and survival

This book is a fun collection of Western romances. These 4 historical stories portray the harsh realities of life on the western frontier in the late 1800s in America.

Each story is unique and has fantastic characters. If you want some fun, short but sweet stories then this is a book you will want to pick up and read.

I enjoyed each of the different stories, but would have to say that The Gamble was probably my favourite of the four stories.

I loved this cover! Heart of the Frontier is four novellas that are clean romances that captured the nuances of starting life in a new world. All the women were out of their depth but met every challenge head on. It was a new place with new challenges. Cattle barons, bandits, ruffians and bank robbers were some of the new norms of the American frontier. These were fun and adventurous. I smiled as I watched them fall in love. Nothing deep, just some good ole escapism.
If you haven’t read these authors works then this is a good place to start.
I recommend them if you like clean historical romance.
Thanks Covenant Communication via Netgalley.

I enjoyed each of the novellas. Jen Johnson's was probably my favorite. I would recommend this collection to lovers of western fiction.

Heart of the Frontier is a collection of four entertaining novellas by four talented writers. All the stories are set in the “old west”, yet each one is unique. Keeping in mind that these are short novellas, not full-length novels, I felt each one was well-structured and detailed. With smoothly-flowing, action-filled plots; engaging characters; sweet romance; and bits of humor and witty banter, these stories held my attention from beginning to end. You will enjoy meeting couples Ella and Thomas, Rebecca and Ray, Sally and Gabe, and Celia and Bruce and experiencing their adventures on the frontier. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I love this type of book! The novellas are the perfect length to relax with after a long day and it's also the perfect way to to find new-to-me authors. All of the novellas in this collection was well written and holds your attention. This book was an absolute joy to read! Thank you Covenant Communications via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

As with most collections/anthologies this book includes some stories that are better than the others. My favorite was the last story, Celebration for Celia. It is sweet with wonderful characters. My least favorite was Her Frontier Bandit. There were parts that were too predictable and the story didn’t flow as well as the others. The Gamble and Sagebrush Sally fell somewhere in between. Overall these stories were well written and the characters engaging.
I received a free copy of this title from Covenant Publishing through NetGalley and have willingly provided my honest review.

I appreciated the research that went into these stories.  The settings were portrayed well, and the variety of stories always makes an anthology interesting.  I appreciated the contrasts in each story between having money and then not, of the required adjustment and the changes in perceptions that follow. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are completely my own.

Delightful compilation of stories of young women whose families have moved to the Wild West from the East. My favorite stories were The Gamble by Brittany Larsen and Her Frontier Bandit by Jen Geigle Johnson. With plenty of romance as well as the struggles inherent in making a new life in the West, these stories capture what it was like to live in the late 1800’s. Each novella is a quick enjoyable read that can easily be read in one sitting. I enjoyed the clean romances and the Happily Ever After endings.

The Gamble by Brittany Larsen is about Thomas Clayborne, an aristocratic Englishman who gambled his inheritance away. Looking to redeem his fortune, he agrees to travel to the US West and invest in a cattle baron’s ranch. It also doesn’t hurt that the man has a beautiful daughter whom he would like to court. Landing in NY, he expects to meet up with the beautiful daughter, but instead receives a note asking him to accompany a “family friend” on the train West. This beautiful woman upends his plans and as he gets to know her better, he has to decide if he is willing to risk everything for love.

Her Frontier Bandit by Jen Geigle Johnson is about a young woman named Rebecca whose father has decided to answer the call for doctors in the West. Fleeing a recent heartbreak, Rebecca is hoping to start anew far away from her Boston home. When they arrive, everything is much rougher than they expected including the inhabitants of the town. When a local bandit captures her attention, she realizes love has a way of catching up to you.

Sagebrush Sally by Jennie Hansen tells the story of Sally and her father who have decided to leave England to travel to Idaho to live with her uncle’s family. The West is nothing like England. While Sally adjusts to her new life, her father and uncle are working with other ranchers to find out who is stealing their cattle. Two men capture Sally’s imagination, but who will ultimately capture her heart?

Celebration for Celia by Carolyn Twede Frank is a cute story about a family who has left the East to make a go of farming in the West. Celia’s small town never has celebrated the 4th of July which is one of the holiday celebrations she’s missed. When a handsome stranger saves her sister and in the process breaks his leg, Celia’s family takes him in. Determined to redeem himself and show his love for Celia, Bruce is determined to give her a July 4th celebration she won’t forget.

If you like Western stories with plenty of romance, I definitely recommend this compilation. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Covenant Communications and NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review and all opinions are my own. #Heartofthefrontier #CovenantCommunications #netgalley

I thought the authors did a good job of developing their characters and their story lines in the short expanse of their novellas. Though I wasn't deeply impressed with any of these stories. I did enjoy the hope they infused into the harshness of frontier life. The authors made the stories unique and fun to read.

With a little bit of adventure, a little bit of romance. A whole lot of hard knock frontier life, and a whole lot of heart. The collection as a whole was a good read. I wasn't blown away by any one particular story, but it was a good weekend read.

I have always been attracted to stories about the west and the frontier. Heart of the Frontier is four different stories that revolve around conflict, love, determination, and grit. Each other has a unique story to offer readers that encapsulates her version of the frontier. People loved hard on the frontier and these stores depict the harshness and beauty Of the life but also struggles they endured. I liked all the stories, but I was partial to the two men fighting over one woman. Yes, modernists would scream provincial and be horrified, but that plot appeals to me.

Perfect for fans of little house on the prairie (which I am) - recommended to history and American fans that want short stories rather than a long novel.

Heart of the Frontier by Brittany Larsen, Jen Geigle Johnson, Jennie Hansen, and Carolyn Twede Frank, 304 pages. SHORT STORIES. Covenant Communications, 2021. $17.
Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW
Before America had 50 states, there were territories and the Wild West was full of ranchers and cowboys. These four stories tell about characters making their lives out west and falling in love with the land as they do so. And maybe they fall in love with some cowboys, too.
I love cowboys as much as the next girl, but I found it difficult to convince myself to keep reading this book because I was given little reason to care about the characters and their woes. The fourth story was the best one, and it felt rushed where the other three seemed to drag. Overall, it’s just okay.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

I loved this collection of stories! I thought they were so unique in that they were East vs West in them! I have enjoyed so many of these womens other stories so I knew it would be a win! !I thought they were all very enjoyable and took me on a fun journey through each story! Enjoy!