Where Dreams Meet is another fantastic book by Jennifer Moore. Staged during the start of the Civil war, a young woman has to decide where her allegiance lies. She is able to see the good in people different than herself and finds a way to reconcile her upbringing and her beliefs with a people, who despite their political differences, she comes to love. She finds home amongst them and continues to work towards her own cause.

2.5 stars. As a whole, I struggled with this collection of novellas. Maybe this has led me to the realization that early American historical fiction isn't really my cup of tea? I had a hard time connecting with characters and enjoying any of the stories here; they all just came across as boring to me, probably compounded by that they all ran at least 30 pages too long.

To Love A Spy by Jennifer Moore - 2 stars. An Loyalist innkeeper's niece falls for a guest at the family inn. The catch? He's a spy for the Rebels. This one I struggled through the most. It simply didn't hold my attention.

Southern Belle, Yankee Heart by Renae Weight Mackley - 3 stars. I enjoyed this one perhaps the most, but I didn't much care for the ending. A seamstress ends up on the wrong side of the state's border between the Union and the Confederacy, but discovers things might not be as black and white as they seem.

Where Dreams Meet by Carolyn Twede Frank - 2.5 stars. A new immigrant to America finds a bit of a rough reception from her relatives but finds the local disfigured "monster" of a neighbor much more welcoming.

The Sun, Moon, Stars, and You by Carla Kelly - 2 stars. A lieutenant is tasked with accompanying Alice Roosevelt around for a bit before her impending wedding, while simultaneously falling for a spunky reporter. Interesting addition of real historical figures .

Really like this one. I have several friends that have read it too and we all agree t that the romance is heart-warming in each tale and has everything a romance reader wants in a book. Well-written characters and superb plots keeps you reading into the night! I will definitely be reading this again, and recommending it to others!

Some of my favorite authors have written stories about American history and heroes from the past including those who served in the Revolutionary War and Civil War. Each story shows men and women who were dealing with extraordinary circumstances and the research, great settings, and attention to details add a new perspective to the time period.

To Love a Spy by Jennifer Moore is the story of Susannah Partridge whose father and brother have decided to fight for the rebels, and Susannah, a “loyalist” must live with her aunt and uncle and help them with their inn. The local apothecary has caught her interest, though he is acting quite strangely. When an English officer’s important letter goes missing, the views Susannah has always had about the war are tested. Whose side is she really on? And could she really love a spy? I loved all the intrigue and romance in this story!

The second novella is Southern Belle, Yankee Heart by Renae Weight Mackley. Rebecca Steed has just lost her mother, but is trying to take her place by traveling to Richmond to purchase material for her work as a seamstress. Before she can board the train to go home, however, Virginia secedes from the Union and Rebecca is trapped in Richmond! She is drawn to Nathan Hill, a young man who boards at the same boarding house as Rebecca, but with the country being torn apart by war, Rebecca decides it’s not a good idea to fall in love with a Southerner. But sometimes the heart wants what the heart wants. A sweet, slow burn romance of love during war.

The third novella is Where Dreams Meet by Carolyn Twede Frank and it was so tender. Jane O’Shea has immigrated from Ireland, only to find herself stranded and unable to get to Missouri, until a stranger helps her. She meets him again in Missouri, but he is suffering some troubles of his own. The townspeople have turned against him and are trying to run him off his farm that has been in his family since his own grandparents immigrated. Can Jane trust what her heart tells her about him or will she be swayed by the rumors swirling around him? This couple had so many obstacles to overcome, that the ending was especially satisfying.

The last novella in the collection is The Sun, Moon, Stars, and You, by Carla Kelly. Hank Thornton, the son of a Medal of Honor recipient, has been called to the Teddy Roosevelt White House as a military aide. His duties include dancing with the wallflowers and escorting them around town, and Hank isn’t excited about it, wishing he was back on his horse in the Philippines. Minnie Gallagher, another boarder at the boardinghouse where Hank now resides, is doing her best to become a reporter and move up from her current position of correcting copy, but that occupation isn’t really open to women. She’s also a suffragette. I loved their romance and the wit and banter between them. But that’s not all! Hank is assigned to ride and be a sort of bodyguard for Teddy’s Roosevelt’s daughter, Alice, which added a fun element in getting to know some of these historical figures through a fictional lens. Ms. Kelly spins a tale that will tug at your heart and make you want to read it again!

I really enjoyed this collection of historical fiction novellas. I was introduced to new authors - authors that I will now be looking for when hunting for my next read.

Four fun stories that enchanted me from page one. The four authors took their favorite parts of history and created beautiful stories of love around those events. We go from the Revolutionary War, to the Civil War, Ellis Islands opening and follow up of that event, to our final peek at history during the term of Thodore Roosevelt as President in 1806. It was fun to see romance in periods of fascinating history and the writers wrote their characters and settings seemlesly into actual history for our reading pleasures.

All four stories were well researched, with fascinating historical details.

All four stories had deep characters and intriguing settings.

Best of all, all four stories will challenge your perspective on war, on poverty, on power and prestige and on people.

These are not just beautiful stories about dreams coming true, they’re stories that change and enhance your view of American history.

This is a great collection by four wonderful authors set in America. I loved how unique each of the stories were and how each of the authors told their story. I liked that the progression of the stories were at important points in US history and that they were in chronological order. I thought this book was beautiful written and definitely one to check out.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

This is a collection of sweet historical romances written by a group of talented authors. I am familiar with the work of one of the author's in this group but the rest are new to me. I am glad I picked this one up because I know have a few new authors to follow! Each one did a fantastic job with providing vivid descriptions and interesting plots. The storylines were all artfully crafted with well defined characters and kept me hooked until I finished. I had to pace myself as I wanted to read all in one sitting! This is truly a gem of a collection and if you love historical romances, you definitely will want to add this to your collection!
I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

Loved every single story in this book. Sooo good. Even though they were novellas, they didn’t feel rushed but where very well built and kept my attention with each page.

Four short stories, each by a different author. Perfect for busy summer days when you don’t want to commit to a longer novel.

The first story is To Love a Spy by Jennifer Moore. It is set in 1781 in New York during the Revolutionary War. I liked the characters and that it shows the opposite viewpoint of most novels set during this period. Susannah and her aunt and uncle support those loyal to the king even though her dad and brother are Continental soldiers fighting for General George Washington. She meets Mr. Matthews at her aunt and uncle’s inn. He is kind and works as an apothecary. Some of the characters risk their safety and even their lives for the country to be free of foreign rule.

The second story is Southern Belle, Yankee Heart by Renae Weight Mackley. It is set in 1861 in Richmond, Virginia during the Civil War. Rebecca Steed, age 20, is from Philadelphia. Her siblings are all married, their mom died, and their dad is a cabinet member to Lincoln. She is a dressmaker and wants to take over her mom’s business so she travels to Virginia to buy fabric but can’t get back home due to the war. She meets Nathan Hill but is resistant to getting to know him. Their conversations are awkward, and their relationship feels forced. The story is really about slavery.

The third story is Where Dreams Meet by Carolyn Twede Frank. It is set in 1892 in New York. All of Jane’s family members unexpectedly died so she leaves Ireland to stay with a distant unknown relative in Missouri. Unfortunately, they treat her as a servant rather than as family and make her work hard. She has a large birthmark on the side of her neck, so she’s not repulsed by Peter’s large port wine mark across the side of his face. He’s called the Monster of Murky Pond and shunned by the community. This is my favorite of the four stories because it reminds me a little of one of my ancestors.

The final story is The Sun, Moon, Stars, and You by Carla Kelly. It is set in 1905 in Washington D.C.
Lieutenant Henry (Hank) Thornton is given a temporary transfer to the White House as a military aide to President Teddy Roosevelt and ends up assisting Alice Roosevelt. Minerva (Minnie) Gallagher works at a newspaper correcting spelling and punctuation but yearns to be a reporter though women weren’t permitted to write. This story is about women’s rights including the right to vote. The author uses a lot of uncommon words and old-fashioned phrases I had to look up.

Thanks to Covenant Communications and NetGalley for a temporary digital copy to use for my review.

I get hankerings for anthologies every so often. I love reading short stories that all have a somewhat similar theme. This one did not disappoint. The romances are swoony, there is intrigue and suspense. All of these authors did such a fantastic job weaving a developed story in so few pages. I loved it!

This is a great collection of novellas that gives you hours of reading pleasure. All of the novellas are well written historical romances that sure to please. I highly recommend this book.
I received a complimentary copy from Covenant Communications via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I really enjoyed this collection. Each author had unique and tender stories that touched my heart. Beautiful storytelling.

Where Dreams Meet is a fun collection of four novellas written by four different authors. It was a great book to read at this time of year as the stories span different time periods of American history. The stories are very different from each other and are set in different time periods, one from the Revolutionary War, one set during the Civil War, one during the Irish migration, and one takes place at the time of Teddy Roosevelt. I really enjoyed each of these stories and I liked getting to learn a little bit more about these time periods.

I was never good at remembering history when I was in school, so I love learning historical things while reading which is one reason I like enjoy historical fiction. These novellas take place in 1781, 1861, 1892 and 1906 and the authors include historical events from those eras in their stories.

To Love A Spy by Jennifer Moore --Susannah Partridge's father and brother are fighting for the "Rebels" so she's helping her aunt and uncle with their inn in New York. Susannah is a Loyalist and gets involved with a handsome apothacary who may be a spy.

I love mysteries so I really liked the intrigue in this one. I loved finding out the spy craft back in 1781. I found it interesting that Susannah's family weren't all Loyalists but respected each other's views.

Southern Belle, Yankee Heart by Renae Weight Mackley--Rebecca Steed's a dressmaker traveling from Philadelphia to Richmond, VA to buy material for her shop when she finds herself stuck there when Virginia joins the Confederacy. While waiting to be able to travel back home to Philadelphia she finds herself falling in love with Nathan Hill.

I thought Rebecca handled be stuck in Richmond well--she came up with a plan to use up the material she wouldn't be able to transport back home to Philadelphia, made new friends and started to fall in love with Nathan, a fellow boarder at the boarding house. I liked how this novella made me see how the civil war affected the everyday people trying to live their lives.

Where Dreams Meet by Carolyn Twede Frank--Jane O’Shea's brother was to travel from Ireland to Missouri to work with relatives there on their farm, but when her brother unexpectedly dies Jane takes his place. Her relatives are not happy about this and don't treat her as well as they should. Jane meets their neighbor Peter Dockery who's shunned by the locals and someone is trying to take his farm away from him.

I liked how Peter helped Jane without a second thought. I disliked Janes's relatives because of the way they treated her--she was family and they treated her like a second-class citizen. They seemed to have forgotten where they came from. These two seemed to have everything against them and I was thrilled when they got their happy ending.

The Sun, Moon, Stars, and You by Carla Kelly--Washington D.C. 1906 where Lieutenant Hank Thornton is assigned as an aide to Pres. Teddy Roosevelt. It's not the assignment Hank particularly likes because he's not good at conversing with others and dislikes dancing. Then he meets Minnie Gallagher who works as a copy corrector for the local paper. Minnie isn't happy just finding typos, she wants to write for the paper. She's also a suffragette.

This is such a fun story and part of that is because of Hank's assignment to accompany Alice Roosevelt, the President's fiesty daughter, on her horseback rides. I loved watching Minnie and Hank accept and finally act on their feelings for each other.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher Covenant Communications via NetGalley.

Where Dreams Meet is a wonderful anthology containing four different novellas from four different eras in American history.

The novellas were quick reads with a little bit of action, a little bit of romance, and a wonderful helping of bravery.

This book was such a fun read gearing up to July. I only wish the stories were longer! :D

This book was perfect for this time of year! I love our rich American History! Each novella was filled with humor, history and romance! Perfect combination! Revolutions, Civil Wars, immigrants and Presidents Daughters! How cool is that? All combined into a tidy book for me to enjoy! I truly did enjoy them all!

American history comes alive in this delightful, romantic collection of novellas. From the Revolutionary War to the Civil War and from 1892, Missouri to the wedding of President Teddy Roosevelt’s daughter Alice, each unique story shares the point of view of ordinary men and women put in extraordinary circumstances.

To Love A Spy by Jennifer Moore takes place in 1781, New York where Susannah Partridge is helping her aunt and uncle with their inn while her father and brother are off fighting for the “Rebels.” Susannah considers herself a loyalist, however her views are challenged when she meets a handsome apothecary. Loved this story! It was probably my favorite. The romance and intrigue completely drew me in. I couldn’t wait to see how it all would end.

Southern Belle, Yankee Heart by Renae Weight Mackley brings 1861, Richmond, Virginia alive. Rebecca Steed is a young woman journeying from Philadelphia to Virginia to purchase material for her dress making business. While there, Virginia joins the Confederacy and Rebecca is literally trapped, unable to transport her material to the North. She’s drawn to the handsome Nathan Hill staying at the same boarding house, but can she afford to fall in love with a Southerner especially when she’s hoping to return to Philadelphia? I liked this story though it slowed a bit for me towards the end. The premise was interesting, just felt like a few chapters could have been left out or shortened and it would have been even better.

Where Dreams Meet by Carolyn Twede Frank is the story of 19 year old Irish immigrant Jane O’Shea who travels to Missouri to take her brother’s place on her cousin’s farm. She meets Peter Dockery, a kind young man who helps her on her journey. Awful rumors surround Peter, and when his farm is threatened, Jane must decide if she will help the man she’s coming to love or believe the rumors. This was a fun Cinderella like story coupled with a proposed marriage of convenience. I felt so sorry for both Jane and Peter and was cheering for them to find happiness.

The Sun, Moon, Stars, and You by Carla Kelly is the delightful story of Hank Thornton, a young lieutenant called to Washington, D.C. by President Teddy Roosevelt to serve as a military aide. Staying at the same boardinghouse is plucky Minnie Gallagher who aspires to be a journalist. Hank is hoping to do his duty and return to his beloved horses, but his assignment becomes more complicated when he’s ordered to entertain the President’s mercurial, spitfire daughter Alice. I enjoyed the romance between Hank and Minnie. This story was pure fun. I loved the dialogue and the actual historical figures included in the story like Teddy Roosevelt and his unconventional daughter Alice as well as learning about some of the early suffragette pioneers.

This American anthology collection is perfect for summer. Each story can easily be read in a day. Recommend to those who enjoy sweet historical romance. I received a complimentary advanced copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own and I was not required to provide a positive review.

Susanna has remained loyal to Britain, despite her family siding with the American rebels - until she discovers that Eli is not what she thought - and that there are two sides to any question. A decision is necessary - and will have consequences.
Rebecca, a loyal Northerner, is caught on the wrong side of the lines when war breaks out, and before she can get back, she's come to know and care for Nathan, who lives at the same boarding house. But she can't love a soldier on the other side - can she?
Jane came to America for a new life, but things turn out far from what she expected. Peter is shunned by the town, but can't help feeling attracted to the poorly-treated newcomer. Can these two outcasts forge a better life together?
Hank knows that his new position as a military aide is one to be proud of, but he'd rather be back in Kansas working with horses. Minnie longs to be a journalist but her boss refuses to take her seriously. Circumstances have brought them together, but such conflicting dreams must tear them apart - surely?

To be honest, the first three of these were pretty much 'just okay' for me - nothing wrong with them and I had no trouble finishing them, but they didn't really grab me. The last story, however, grabbed me from the start and held me throughout. It's a satisfying, heart-warming sort of story, with characters I enjoyed getting to know, an interesting setting and a delightfully satisfying ending. I particularly appreciated the way that Alice Roosevelt initially came on stage wearing her public image and then we gradually get to know the real, complex person behind that image - a good reminder that people are often more than rumour or public opinion portrays. Summary: there's probably something in here for everyone - I found one story especially enjoyable, but others will probably have their own preferences. An interesting collection of novellas.

Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.