3.5 stars

Love’s Turning Page by Cynthia Hickey

Living in the Ozark Mountains during the Depression was tough. So when Grace Billings gets the chance to work as a traveling librarian she jumped at the chance. So what if the handsome new teacher Anthony Lawrence thinks it's a job better suited for a man?
This was a sweet story showing how the love of books and storyteller can be the catalyst to unite people. It also showed there are some people who are always willing to take advantage of others inspire of the circumstances.
I liked how the romance between Anthony and Grace unfolded as they served their community. Readers will be reminded that God is always with them working things out for their good.

For Such a Time by Patty Smith Hall
When Ruth Sims lost her job as a nurse in an Atlanta hospital and has to return home, she doesn't understand why. Especially she has to work with Will Munroe, the man who had broken her heart six years earlier.
As a traveling librarian, Ruth finds ways to use her skills as a nurse to serve her small mountain community. Working with her, Will is also able to use his gifts to serve the children of Pine Mountain.
The banter between Ruth and Will was fun and both of them had to make adjustments as they accommodated for the gifting and choices of the other person.
This second-chance romance was a reminder that God's timing is perfect and that His plan doesn't always align with ours.

Book Lady of the Bayou by Marilyn Turk
When Lily Bee Davis is offered the job as traveling librarian, she jumps at the chance. As someone who lived books, she was excited for the chance to share that opportunity with others.
Lamar Stewart is a former concert pianist who had become reclusive after his wife died.
It was obvious that Lily Bee loved her job and the people were receptive of the service that she provided as a traveling librarian.
I liked watching Lily Bee's international with the people on her route and with Evie but didn't really feel that there was enough contact between herself and Lamar to justify a romance.
Still, this was a clean, sweet read that will remind readers that God is always listening and always has a plan.
The Librarian and the Lawman
When Clay confesses his love for Lottie at age seventeen and expresses a desire to court her, she knew things wouldn't work out. Her family had secrets that could destroy everything. When they meet again ten years later, things are different but will these two have a second chance?


I liked Lottie's determination to not let fear rule her life and her willingness to believe that God would protect her. Clay's passing for his job and his desire to protect Lottie were sweet.

The Librarian and the Lawman is a second-chance romance that has a hint of mystery. The focus of the story was more on uncovering the mystery than showcasing the romance but you'll still get a sense of how the characters felt about each other.
Readers will be reminded that Gid has a plan for their lives but it will unfold in His timing and not theirs.


Overall review
It was interesting to learn about these brave women who traveled into the potentially dangerous  hill country to deliver books to those who wouldn't have had access otherwise.

I received an advanced reader's copy from the publisher through NetGalley; a positive review was not required.

I enjoy reading about the women who carried books into the mountains to help their communities. They traversed rough terrain, sometimes on a horse, others on a mule. These four stories give us a snapshot of what they went through while entertaining us with a romantic tale. I enjoyed the stories set in the Appalachian Mountains so much. The story set in Mississippi made me shiver when Lily Bee goes into the swamplands to deliver books. All four stories feature a strong female character who is determined to help with the literacy of her community. I particularly liked The Lawman and the Librarian. Lottie and Clayton have a certain chemistry that made me want to read more. If you enjoy historical romance and stories of brave women, you'll enjoy The Librarian's Journey. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Librarian's Journey
4 Historical Romances
by Patty Smith Hall, Cynthia Hickey, Marilyn Turk, Kathleen Y'Barbo
Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Rating: 3
Back of the Book: “A brave fight for literacy during the Great Depression four women set out on horseback to bring the library to remote communities
Part of FDR’s New Deal was the Works Progress Administration, which funded the Pack Horse Library Initiative. Ride along with four book-loving women who bravely fight for literacy in remote communities during the Great Depression by carrying library books via horseback. Will their efforts be rewarded by finding love in the process?
Love’s Turning Page by Cynthia Hickey
1936, Ozark Mountains
Grace Billings jumped at the chance to be a traveling librarian, but she didn’t anticipate the long days of work, the intense poverty, or the handsome new schoolteacher whose love for the mountain people surpasses even her own.
In This Moment by Patty Smith Hall
1936, Pine Mountain, Georgia
Forced out of her nursing job due to budget cuts, Ruth Sims applies for a position with the Pack Horse Library incentive, only to discover she must go to the one place she swore never to return. The children instantly steal her heart with their thirst for books, and she’s happy in her post until she meets their teacher, Will Munroe—the man who broke her heart.
Book Lady of the Bayou by Marilyn Turk
1936, Mississippi
Forced out of her comfort zone, Lily Bee Davis travels by mule or boat taking books to remote areas. When she meets little Evie and her reclusive father at a dilapidated plantation house, she is drawn by their losses and longs to draw them out into life again.
The Lawman and the Librarian by Kathleen Y’Barbo
1936, Kentucky
Lottie Trent connects with a backwoods bully’s wife by secretly carrying messages for her in exchange for books. FBI agent Clayton Turnbow is on the trail of a criminal gang and discovers the packhorse librarian maybe a key member.
My Thoughts: As this is four different authors and stories, I will comment on them each.
Love’s Turning Page- The romance in this story was a little too quick for me. The characters were still trying to get to know one another and just like that Anthony was calling Grace “darlin” and “sweetheart.” It felt too swift of a romance for me when the characters had no prior history together. I also didn’t care for this statement from Anthony, “There’s nothing wrong with enjoying each other’s company and seeing what happens.” For context, they had just shared a kiss so it was confusing as to what their relationship meant to him. I believe kisses are more special than, “let’s see what happens.”
In This Moment- This was a sweet inspirational romance.
Book Lady of the Bayou- I did not care for this story and ended up skimming through it. I didn’t care for the characters. The story felt boring, there was no sparks.
The Lawman and the Librarian- This was the best story in this collection. I enjoyed the characters, plot, and suspense. It had a good backstory to make the shortness of the novella work.
Inspirational Thoughts: “‘How can I trust God any more than I already do?’ The older woman’s hand covered hers. ‘Instead of worrying about a job, ask Him (Jesus) for direction. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in this life, it’s that God has a greater plan for me than I ever imagined. He’ll provide your needs.’”
I received an ARC copy of this book via the publisher in exchange for my honest review shared here.

I loved this 4 short stories. I have always been intrigued by the packing horse librarian. The common between this stories. They are set in the same era. The depression. And they have strong female characters who you Will fall in love with. And the love and how proud the Mountain people are brings tears to my eyes. Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion

5 stars, Packhorse librarians
THE LIBRARIAN'S JOURNEY
Including
LOVES TURNING PAGE by Cynthia Hickey
IN THIS MOMENT by Patty Smith Hall
BOOK LADY OF THE BAYOU by Marilyn Turk
THE LAWMAN AND THE LIBRARIAN by Kathleen Y'Barbo

This is a nice collection of novellas are all set in 1936 during the Great Depression, as FDR (the 32 of the US) implemented the Packhorse Librarian program. Each novella is set in a different place, the Ozark Mountains, Georgia, Mississippi, and Kentucky. Though the WPA program officially administered the Packhorse project in the remote hills of Appalachian Kentucky, similar programs could have been implemented in other places.

Each of the four women in this compilation suffered from a lack of love and a lack of funds. Each one needed a new adventure in their lives. Highly recommend. I like to read all of the written stories about Packhorse Librarians and understand how their lives were in this daring program.

#netgalley #barbourpublishing kindly provided me with a complimentary copy of #thelibrariansjourney I was under no obligation to post a review.

This is a collection of stories about Packhorse Librarians in rural Appalachia during the Great Depression. These librarians were hired to ride out into the very rural areas and bring books for people to read to inspire literacy. It was part of a WPA program funded by the US Government to give people job opportunities.



What I enjoy about these types of books is that each story is a comfortable length for sitting and reading all at once. I recommend this book to those who want a quick, satisfying read.



I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion

I have found that this has become a hot topic as of late. But it is a really great part of history and I loved the bits of romance mixed into these stories. I didn't love all the characters and every story, but being a librarian I just had to read this anthology.

Thanks NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC!

THE LIBRARIAN'S JOURNEY is a most enjoyable collection of short stories. What's not to love in a book about books and horses? !

Love's Turning Page by Cynthia Hickey is a delightful romance novella with some suspense and a good Christian message running through it.
The story takes place in Hickory Hollow during the Great Depression. Grace Billings, an avid reader, gets a job with the pack horse library initiative to help her family financially.. She is the oldest of eight children. She loves taking books to the mountain folk and is even more delighted when Anthony Lawrence, the handsome school teacher, becomes involved in a project to teach adults to read.
I like the characters and the love for others that is shown by Anthony and the Billings family. It is an enjoyable read.

For Such a Time by Paddy Smith Hall is a romantic novella with a strong Christian message, a good story and lovable characters.
Ruth Sims and Will Munroe are back in Pine Mountain after their engagement broke up six years ago, and are working together with the borrowing library. As they go out amongst the mountain folk they do more than just drop off books. Will, as a school teacher, deals with their reaching needs and Ruth, as a nurse, deals with their health needs.
That is all I am going to tell you excepting to say that I really enjoyed this novella.

In Book Lady of the Bayou, Marilyn Turk tells the story of Lily Bee Davis, whose teacher training came to a stop due to the Depression and who is now introducing the folk around Cypress to literature as part of the pack horse library. On her rounds she meets the reclusive concert pianist, Lamar Stewart and his daughter Evie, amongst other interesting characters.
It is a lovely story in which the biblical principles of loving and serving one's neighbour come out strongly.

The Librarian and the Lawman by Kathleen Y'Barbo is an exciting romance novella in which Lottie Kent, who has lived in fear since her family left Lexington for Kenova when she was twelve, finally comes into her own as a pack horse librarian in Potter's Creek. She is surprised to come across her "near fiancé", Clay Turnbow who is under cover for the FBI pretending to be a timber buyer.
The characters are interesting, the plot well worked out and the Christian message is good, with the emphasis on waiting on the Lord for His perfect timing. It is a most enjoyable read.

I was given a free copy of The Librarian's Journey by NetGalley from Barbour Publishing. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

It hasn't been that long ago that I reviewed a book about the WPA horseback librarian program in the Appalachians. In the last year or so, it has become more common to write about this obscure part of history. It is fascinating to read history woven into fiction and this was such a great topic to tackle in that regard. Some of the authors in this collection of stories took liberties with the settings of the actual history of the program, but the novellas are still enjoyable.

It saddened me to see that one of the authors passed away and another author stepped in to write the story in her stead. Darlene Franklin is a favorite writer and her loss will leave a hole in the world of Christian fiction. My thanks go to Kathleen Y'Barbo for stepping in and doing an admirable job of filling her shoes.

All of the novellas are enjoyable to read and will while away a too-hot afternoon (I'm currently in a heatwave of epic proportions), especially with a glass of iced tea at the ready.

The horseback librarian program took books to the most rural areas to encourage literacy and learning for families who had no other way to get to town to borrow books from the library. The people were poor but proud and it was hard for some to accept that the books were not charity, but something that was available to everyone.

A couple of these novellas offer second chances between youthful sweethearts and grown-up love with a bit of intrigue thrown in for good measure, others are just the sweetness of love that grows from friendship.

In some respects, Dolly Parton has taken a page out of President Roosevelt's book and is providing books to children to encourage a love of reading and learning. All a parent or grandparent or friend has to do is sign the child up on this website.

Four strong stars.

Barbour Publishing and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.