The Librarian’s Journey is a collection of four historical novellas about the pack-horse librarians of 1936. Part of FDR’s campaign to lift America out of The Great Depression, he instituted this service to have mobile libraries go where cars and bookmobiles couldn’t go. Librarians filled their saddle packs and rode to families that could not or would not visit the library in town. These stories are about four such fictional women.

Love’s Turning Page by Cynthia Hickey is a delightful story about a librarian and a schoolteacher who team up to teach reading and deliver books to the community. I loved the danger aspect in this story, too.

In This Moment by Patty Smith Hall is a story of lost love and rekindled friendship. It was fascinating how nursing could work along side the librarian’s work.

Book Lady of the Bayou by Marilyn Turk is set in a formidable location. The librarian crosses the path of alligators and snakes to deliver her books. The path of a recluse with a daughter who loves to read, too.

The Lawman and the Librarian by Kathleen Y’Barbo is another story that wrapped danger into the life of a pack-horse librarian. The second half of the story had intrigue, rekindled relationship, and wonderful happy ending.

—
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Barbour Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC guidelines.

4 short stories about women who have what would have been my dream job at that time in history. Easy to read quick romances with feisty book ladies and men who can't help falling for them.

After completing and loving the first novella in this collection of four, I had to stop myself from impulse buying a paperback copy to own. I wanted to make sure I would like most or all of the stories before buying. Needless to say, I placed my order halfway through the third. Each story was unique and exciting. I loved learning about the historical, brave book ladies. Love's Turning Page by Cynthia Hickey was my favorite of the four because I liked the main characters best. The fourth novella, The Librarian and the Lawman, was also a close contender. The story was structured so it seemed more like a full length novel. I plan to read more from each of these ladies in the future. If you enjoy historical romance with a little adventure, I recommend giving this collection a try.

I received a free digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This collection features four adventurous, entertaining novellas by four gifted storytellers. As an avid reader and educator, the courageous packhorse librarians are a favorite literary subject of mine. These stories capture the essence of the Great Depression Era government funded Pack Horse Library initiative created to distribute reading material and to promote literacy in remote areas of the United States. Although the historical setting for the project was Appalachia, most of these authors chose to use an alternate setting which worked well for their story. In these stories, believable characters, smoothly flowing plots, richly described settings, sweet romance, and inspiring faith threads, combine to make a quick, informative, enjoyable read. If you love historical Christian fiction and anthologies, this book is a great choice for you!
I received a complimentary copy of this book in e-book form from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Excellent romance collection about saddlebag librarians. Very diverse stories even though they share a common profession. These were new jobs that opened up in a time when jobs and money were scarce. Many men had to leave home to search for jobs. People who lived in the mountains didn't have access to a library, some didn't have schools. These librarians brought books to them, often in perilous conditions. Many of the people were reclusive and untrusting, at least at first. The books gave them many benefits, including education. Entertaining read, nothing boring here! Christian historical.

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.
#TheLibrariansJourney #NetGalley

Loved the book. The main character developed nicely and the writers style was enticing. Would recommend to other readers.

This was a fun collection of novellas. All four novellas are set during the Great Depression and are about travelling librarians. This was such an interesting concept as I didn’t know anything about this initiative before reading the books. All four books are fun, quick reads that are full of romance. Perfect for short escapes into another time. Love’s Turning Page and For Such a Time were my favourites.

A unique collection about a little known piece of American history! I didn’t fall in love with the stories in this collection, but I did enjoy learning about the packhorse librarians. 3/5 stars

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

I really enjoy reading about the pack horse librarians during the Great Depression, and I thought all four of these short stories were great. I especially enjoyed the third one, Book Lady of the Bayou and loved the chemistry between Lily Bee, Evie, and Lamar.

That being said, I had a huge issue with the endings of each story. The stories were well-paced for the most part, but the end of each one was so rushed that I felt it took away my enjoyment of them. It’s one thing for a story to end abruptly, but for all four stories in one book to end the same way was a bit disappointing. I almost wish they were their own independent books so they could be extended and not be limited in their word counts.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4254209096

I think the idea of the book was unique. I wasn't aware that during the Depression, there were traveling librarians, especially women. The first book, I was not too fond of it. It was a little too cliche, especially the villain part. The other books were better and more enjoyable. I would recommend this book to those who are interested in a quick, easy read.

Thank you to Barbour Publishing Inc. for allowing me to give an honest review of this arc. Got this from Netgalley. :)

I love this type of book! You get four wonderful novellas by four outstanding authors that provides hours of reading pleasure. The novellas are the perfect length to curl up with at the end of the day. I love reading about the pack horse librarian's and this was perfect. I highly recommend this book.
I received a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing, Inc via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I was unaware of the traveling librarians during the depression before reading this book and found that fascinating. Also a little scary. Those women were brave.

Love's Turning Page by Cynthia Hickey
Interesting story of romance that showed well the poverty of the time and how hard life was. The set up kind of reminded me of The Waltons.

For Such a Time by Patty Smith Hall
This is a second chance romance which is one of my favorite tropes. It had a great ending satisfying the needs of both characters well.

Book Lady of the Bayou by Marilyn Turk
I loved how the librarian became so attached to her patrons and through her service wins them over.

The Lawman and the Librarian by Kathleen Y’Barbo
This one had a different feel to it. It took a while into the story before we got to the traveling librarian job. There was a lot of set up for it. And there was a bit of a mystery/suspense in the plot along with the romance.

Overall, I found the stories interesting and they each drew a good picture of what life was like in these areas during the depression.

Strong Christian themes
Sex: no
Language: no
Violence: a little-mild
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book through NetGalley and voluntarily chose to review it.

4 short stories about Packhorse librarians in the 1930's. Each of these stories could have been expanded into full length novels in my opinion. They all kept my attention although the first and last stories were my favourite. I also liked the more accurate representation of the depression and how that affected the characters. All in all, I enjoyed learning about the Packhorse Librarian program and found it very interesting.

Thanks to #NetGalley for the eARC of #theLibrariansJourney

The Librarian's Journey is a novella collection published by Barbour. It contains four novellas--all historical romance. The theme is FDR's pack horse librarian program part of the Works Progress Administration during the Depression. Essentially, librarians traveling in country/rural areas where bookmobiles did not/could not go.

Love's Turning Page by Cynthia Hickey is set in the Ozark Mountains. FDR's program technically didn't serve this area/community. So the author took a few liberties. I wouldn't have minded those liberties with location, but, I wasn't a fan of the story overall. This book had...UNNECESSARY villains. Characters that serve absolutely no purpose whatsoever except to wear the bad guy villain hat and provide a cheap excuse for a hero to emerge as THE HERO and save the heroine. It's bad enough when a romance has one...but when a story has more than one...well...I have a hard time liking it. I also thought the hero wasn't all that likable.

For Such A Time by Patty Smith Hall is set in Georgia. Ruth Sims, our heroine, is a former nurse. She lost her job due to budget cuts due to the Depression. She never wanted to be "a librarian," but she needs a job. She's returned home to the community she grew up in, and she's reunited with a former love--now a school teacher. Reunited as in they are now working closely together to serve the community. She longs to serve the community...but as a nurse...not a librarian. Can this new job give her the opportunity to do a bit of both? I liked this story. I did.

Book Lady of the Bayou by Marilyn Turk is set in Mississippi. I really liked this story. Lily Bee Davis is the book woman. She meets a little girl, Evie, and Evie's reclusive father. (The father just happens to be super cute.) As she begins to serve the community, she loses her heart as well....I already mentioned I enjoyed this one. I thought the characters were well done. I loved that this story loves calling out certain books by name. Like Lily choosing The Velveteen Rabbit and Winnie the Pooh for Evie especially. Other titles are included as well for other patrons--I remember someone reading Little House in the Big Woods and maybe Pollyanna.

The Librarian and the Lawman by Kathleen Y'Barbo is set in West Virginia. It may just be my favorite and best from this collection. (Though I also really loved the third novella). Lottie Trent, the heroine, hasn't had the easiest life. Her family has secrets. Secrets BIG enough that they've had to change their name and move around a bit. Secrets that keep her parents a little jumpy and over-protective. Lottie falls in love--sorta instantly--with Clay Turnbow. Clay has declared his love and his intentions to marry her. She thought about it for like five minutes and was like WOW that would be great. Things didn't work out then--1925? 1926?--but ten years later when they are both in different places in their lives and careers...it might just. Clay is now an FBI agent going undercover...and Lottie is a book woman. I really loved this last story so much. I loved the characters and the plot.

Overall, the book collection only gets better and better as you go along. I would rate the first story as two stars. The second as three stars. The third as four stars. The fourth as five stars. I am glad the stories were arranged this way.

A Librarian’s Journey is a series of short stories by five different authors. These are wonderful stories about the the Pack Mule Library Initiative during the Great Depression. This initiative was to bring literacy to remote areas of the Smoky Mountains and Ozarks. These brave women each took on the responsibility of riding pack mules to take books to the most isolated people. Each story will warm your heart and reminds us of the great value of our Librarians through time and how these four brave women in the most difficult of times made sure those in need had literature. I loved these stories and give this 5 stars.

Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinions are my own. Very well storytelling that has great value to share and understand.

3.5 rounded up. This is a collection of four unconnected novellas of all sweet stories set during the Great Depression and featuring featured traveling librarians.

Since these were novellas, there wasn't a lot of time for development, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much was fit into each. Love's Turning Page and Librarian and the Lawman both featured a bit of mystery and excitement, and Book Lady of the Bayou had great development of setting. For Such a Time had what I thought was the most well-developed romance and was my favorite out of the bunch.

Would recommend for quick, sweet Christian stories.

Four Novellas to get lost in, all featuring a different area that took advantage of FDR's program that gave jobs to women to get books and magazines into the hands of those who lived very rural and in the mountains.

Each of these stories are set in different states, but share a bit of sweet romance, intrigue and some danger that will keep you page turning for answers, before I knew it I was on to the next read!

The time of these reads was during the great depression, times were hard and these brave women brought a bit of joy to those in need.

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

A Librarian’s Journey is a series of four novellas by three different authors. These are heartwarming stories highlighting the Pack Mule Library Initiative during the Great Depression, and bring the struggles of that era to light. Each of the stories focuses on a brave woman who went on horseback to take library books to remote communities.

These are easy reads, with authentic characters and a valuable historical focus, told from a Christian perspective. An excellent choice for lovers of historical fiction.

I received an advance copy from the publisher and Net Galley. The opinions are my own.

Four women. Four stories of bravery.

The Librarian’s Journey has four stories, in four locations, written by four gifted writers. With the heart of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, The Librarian’s Journey is a historical romance with a bit of suspense.

Set during the Great Depression, as part of FDR’s Works Progress Administration, four women are hired as Pack Horse Librarians and set out on horseback—or mule—to bring the library to remote and often dangerous communities.

Each author gives the reader a different insight into the trials and dangers of the Pack Horse Librarians. Each author sheds light on the silent and stoic bravery of these women. To think there were actually women who risked their lives for the sake of literacy is both inspiring and thought-provoking. I kept asking myself: What do I to risk helping others?

The first story, Love’s Turning Page by Cynthia Hickey, was one of my favorites. It gave me bits of history and of course, a believable love story.

For Such a Time by Patty Smith Hall, was another favorite. I hadn’t thought that taking such a potentially dangerous job was imperative for some families to put food on the table. What begins as just a job, turns into a love and appreciation for each family receiving a treasured book.

Book Lady of the Bayou by Marilyn Turk, had an altogether different flavor, but continued the insights into the bravery of the women who brought more than books to the secluded homes—they brought the world.

The Librarian and the Lawman by Kathleen Y’Barbo, had intrigue, suspense, and, of course, a love story.

The common thread within all these stories—and what was most endearing to me—were the recipients of the tattered and worn books and magazines. The families, especially the children, whose worlds were suddenly opened to possibilities. Evermore speaking to the power of good stories.

I highly recommend The Librarian’s Journey for those interested in good stories highlighting little-known times and heroes in history. And, of course, clean, believable romance.

I received an advance ebook from #Barbour the publisher and #Netgalley. This is my unbiased review.

Overall I rate this book as 3.8 stars. A pretty good read with a solid finish.

I had only heard of one of the authors before and I enjoy reading compilation books such as these to get to know other authors--so thank you Barbour Publishing for putting this together. The stories are such that I would let my teen daughter read them--clean, cute, about books and history. The last story by Kathleen Y'Barbo stole me away. I was hooked from the beginning and only put it down a couple times to go do something I had to. Excellent storytelling with an unexpected approach to telling a story about the Book Women. That portion gets 5 stars from me. For Such a Time by Patty Hall was a solid 4 stars for me--I enjoyed these characters very much. I felt like it was a little bumpy of a beginning but I got into the character's pursuits and story, especially once we hit chapter 8. Hall leaves the reader with quite a few memorable quotes and thoughts.

I most enjoyed the stories that prefaced the truth of the WPA with the librarians and the location that the story took place. When placed outside of a "normal" packhorse librarian state, I appreciated the authors who gave reason for it through their characters. (We think it's a great idea so we're going to support it here on our own.) I like the more "true to history" storytelling.