Another great collection of novellas written by some of today's top christian fiction authors. You will definitely enjoy this collection.

While most of the novella collections I've read from Barbour Books have a central theme to link the five to nine stories, with occasional cross-over of characters, this collection features the seven Hart brothers of Texas. Ordered by their father (in the prologue by Erica Vetsch) to marry within the year 1874, each Hart brother must find a bride to inherit their share of the family's vast spread.

The youngest of these brothers all named for famous Texans, John Coffee Hays Hart is eager to prove himself by finding a bride before his brothers in First Comes Love by Gabrielle Meyer.  As he is putting up the posters advertising his search, a certain new teacher and pastor's daughter lets him know just how tasteless his approach is.  Soon, Hays decides that Emma is "the one" and he puts all of his efforts into convincing her to remain in Hartville as his wife.

Caro Cordova is working as a cook at the Walking Diamond Ranch when a Texas Ranger, Chisholm Hart, rides in with his partner to investigate cattle rustling in Lorna Sielstad's The Heart of Texas.  At first I thought the storyline of proud and fiesty Mexican beauty with a chip on her shoulder over men choosing their duty over family pushed together with chiseled lawman who lives for duty would be an eye-rolling cliché, but the push/pull of their budding relationship was so much fun that this became one of my favorite novellas of the collection.

A second chance at love is the storyline in Amanda Barrett's The Truest Heart.  Their romance ended years ago, but when Travis Hart and Annie Lawrence are reunited it isn't long before this doctor and midwife are learning to let go of their hurt and fears in order to make a family with Annie's young son.  Keli Gwyn gives another take on second chances with her story of storekeeper Sam Houston (Huey) Hart and Coralee Culpepper, the woman who turned him down twelve years before, in A Love Returned.

Susan Page Davis, who never disappoints, brings us the story of Crockett Hart and the neighbor's daughter he's had a crush on for years.  Jane Haymaker has a crush on the cowboy in the flashy shirts as well, though neither has ever told the other.  Crocket finally has the opportunity to be a hero for Jane as he saves her family's barn from burning and helps in the house raising that follows a fire.  But there is a mystery to be solved, and her drunken father to contend with on the way to happily ever after.

In what might be the cutest story of the lot, oldest brother Stephen Austin Hart takes the practical approach but is surprised to learn his intended is a twin as he greets the stagecoach in Mail Order Mayhem.  Now, I have an admitted weakness for mail order bride stories, but I must say that this one surprised and delighted me.  This might be my favorite Vickie McDonough story so far.

Even their father considers exempting the final brother, Bowie Hart, from having to find a bride.  Injured serving during the Civil War, no one expects him to be able to find a bride, including Bowie himself.  In what is the most romantic of these novellas, Bowie tracks down the one woman who didn't flinch at his wounds.  As a volunteer nurse in a Northern hospital, Elise Rivers helped the Southern soldier when his wounds were still fresh.  Years later, his proposal of a marriage in name only saves her from a dismal existence, working at her uncle's button factory.

These are seven very different brothers whose bride hunting stories are wrapped up nicely in the epilogue, again by Erica Vetsch.

Earlier this year I posted a list of my favorite novella collections from Barbour Books, and Seven Brides for Seven Texans definitely belongs on that list.  Highly recommended for those who love sweet romance with a faith element in novella length.

This review refers to an e-galley read, courtesy of the publisher, through NetGalley.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Texas cowboys, yes please! I was surprised Mary Connealy was not apart of this group, even still this was a great collection. Whenever I read collections like this I hope that each story fits together somehow, and these do. A perfect weekend read!

Seven Brides for Seven Texans

1874...7-Heart Ranch, Hartville, Texas

..Prologue by Erica Vetsch
New Year’s Day 1874...7-Hart Ranch...We meet the father of the 7 Hart brothers, George Washington—GW Hart as he informs his sons, the five that are there, they must find and marry within that year or forfeit their inheritance. Of course, he left out the real reason why he was suddenly pushing them to marry within that year.
Sons from oldest to youngest: Austin, Bowie, Travis, Houston, Crockett, Chisholm and Hays. I like Hays' comment, “I don't know why you're all in such a flap. A whole year to find a wife? How hard can it be?”...They are about to find out...

-1..First Comes Love by Gabrielle Meyer
January 2, 1874...Hartville, Texas...Hays decides he was going to be the first brother to get married and comes up with a plan—putting up wanted bride posters all over town. He and his friend find it kind of funny. However, Miss Emma Longley, the new teacher and new Reverend’s daughter, does not find it amusing. So he decides to courts her. He has a few lessons to learn about love and Emma may be the one to teach him. A fun, heartwarming story.

-2..The Heart of Texas by Lorna Seilstad
March 1874...Brady City, Texas...Texas Ranger Chisholm Hart and his partner Whit Murray come upon some men about to hang another man and a woman trying to stop it. Caro Cardova is one feisty woman and a great cook. Sparks fly between these two as they rustle up rustlers and love lassos their hearts. Fun story with some suspenseful moments.

-3..The Truest Heart by Amanda Barratt
May 1874...widowed midwife Annie Lawrence returns to Hartville with her 9 year-old son Robbie. It seems her father never approved of her but she is determined to be strong this time. Dr. Travis Hart has always loved Annie, now that she has returned will old wounds heal? Tensions mount as they work together when he is called in to assist with a difficult home delivery. Young Robbie is a sweetheart and captured my heart. Sweet story of second-chances, forgiveness and love.

-4..A Love Returned by Keli Gwyn
July 1, 1874...Hartville...Houston returns after being in California for the past twelve years—he left in a huff after Coralee Culpepper refused—with good reason—to go with him as his wife. Once he learns the reason he understands and everything changes. Can Houston and Coralee find a way to get past the hurts of the past and start over? A tender, sweet and heartwarming story.

-5..For Love or Money by Susan Page Davis
September 1874...Hartville...while out rounding up strays Crockett smells smoke at their easternmost boundary and investigates. He finds the house of his childhood friend Jane Haymaker on fire. What follows as he helps after the fire and rebuilding of the house kindles a different kind of “fire” between Crockett and Jane. Family gatherings, tragedies, joys, faith and love. Sweet, heartwarming story.

-6..Mail-Order Mayhem by Vickie McDonough
October 1874...Hartville...Austin decided he was going to not fool around, so he sent for a mail-order bride...was that a big mistake? He was to meet his intended, Jenny Evans, and spend a few days getting to know one another before they married. Sounds like a good plan, right? When she arrives by stagecoach with her sister—identical twin sister—well mayhem is only the beginning! They may be identical twins but their personalities were as different as night from day. I knew which one I wanted him to pick right from the start and which one was trouble with a capital T. Fun twists and suspense moments to this cute story.

-7..Love at Last by Erica Vetsch
September 1874...Hartville...Bowie had been scarred and lost an eye in the war. Because of these scars he became somewhat a recluse except with his family. He is the last Hart son to marry and if he was to marry there is only one woman for him—Elsie Rivers. Elsie had nursed him after he was so wounded a decade ago...was not repulsed by his scars. Elsie has not had an easy life and it was not going to get any easier especially living and working for her harsh uncle. Unexpectedly Bowie shows up and rescues her from her uncle and proposes marriage—a paper marriage. However, she is determined to show him that she loves him..scars and all. Can he let the barriers down and allow love in? This is my favorite story in this group of novellas. Sweet and heartwarming story that captured my heart.

I like how the epilogue ties up everything at the end with a roundup...don't want to say more and spoil anything.

~I received an e-book from one of the author's via Netgalley, (no monetary gain were exchanged), this is my honest review~

As I love the old movie, I was drawn in by the title of this one and premise that it set. This is set in the historical time period of just after the war at Gettysburg. The war is finished and life must go on. Each story builds from the main idea and the flow worked really well with well-developed characters in each story. At times my heart strings were happy and at times I felt like I was grieving right along with them. I loved the use of my husband's favorite saying "two shakes of a lamb's trail"!. That had me laughing out loud and I’m so very thankful to Jesus for giving me him. Why don't you grab a copy for yourself? I'm definitely thinking you'll be glad you did!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is a fun collection of novellas featuring seven brothers and a father who is set on getting them all married within a year. His ultimatum is that they have to marry by the end of the year to claim their inheritance, which is a hefty piece of his land for each of them. The boys, of course, are quite resistant to the plan. Each novella is about one of the brothers and his adventure with courting.

I really enjoyed these stories because, even though they are written by different authors, they are built around a common premise that ties them all together. Each of the authors created a unique and wonderful story. They were all delightful.

The concept of several writers continuing a main story is an interesting twist. Although the writers have different styles, there is cohesion and interest in the next character's story. It is nice to read about the lovely bluebonnets of Texas in the "scenery" while investing in the Hart brothers, their stories, characters, struggles and transformations. There is a thread of redemption through the stories as different characters challenge their pasts, relationships with family, friends, potential mates and especially their faith. Each story line has a fulfilling ending which makes this a great spring break or beach read..

Seven Brides for Seven Texans

If you love historical fiction, then this book will not disappoint you. I had a lot of fun reading about the Hart family of Hartville, Texas. Each of the authors brought something new and refreshing to their part of the story, while still managing to ensure the book read like one novel.
In the story, George Washington Hart, GW for short, tells all seven of his sons on New Year’s Day, that they have until the end of the year to find a wife and get married. He wants to ensure that he has time to spend with his grandchildren due to some health concerns, though he doesn’t tell them this. The ensuing craziness brings about more love, peace, and happiness than his sons could ever have imagined. Each story is dedicated to a different son who is attempting to find a wife. They each have a different way of going about it also. Hays puts signs up all over town while Austin sends off for a mail order bride. Chisholm meets the lady of his dreams while working and Crocket never dreams he will find love while helping a neighbor after a fire takes their home. Travis and Houston both find love with girls they knew when they were younger and Bowie marries for convenience, but finds love along the way. Each story is infused with laughter, tears, hope, and daring. The book is a lot of fun and will bring smiles as each man finds their heart and learns how to love. I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for my honest review.

This book is seven short stories about 7 brothers who need to get married quick. I thought it was wonderful. Sometimes these collections of short novellas written by different authors is hard to make it through but this one felt so different. I loved getting to know each brother's personality and see how they went about finding the lady to fill the empty spot in their heart and around the large Hart family table. I loved that the stories seemed to flow one right into the next and that it seemed to build rather than just jump from brother to brother. By the time we got to the final brother, who had appeared in the other brother's stories, I felt like I already knew him and wanted to see him heal and find love. I was anticipating his story and couldn't wait to see how it would turn out. I loved it and can recommend this one to anyone who loves good clean romance.

I received a free copy from NetGalley; this is my honest review.
1. Prologue: The father, GW Hart, gives his children their inheritance under one condition.
2. First comes love ***** (Hays & Emma): Sweet romance; I really loved this one; very appropriate with the times.
3. The heart of Texas **** (Chisholm & Caro): Heroine having a hard time getting over the word "duty" - aggravating, but otherwise a good story.
4. The truest heart *** (Travis & Annie): Full of long prayers and sermons, not much of a story left to tell; this is my least favorite story.
5. A love returned **** (Houston & Coralee): Lots of misunderstandings but I loved the end.
6. For love or money ***** (Crockett & Jane): Sweet romance; really loved this one.
7. Mail-order mayhem **** (Austin & Rebekah): Sweet romance; a few unanswered questions (one star off), loved this one, especially the end.
8. Love at last ***** (Bowie & Elise): Beauty and the Beast, western style. Loved this one, it touched me more than any other story in the book.
9. Epilogue: And everyone lived happily ever after!

You fall in love with this book right off from the beginning. There are 7 Novella's and each one is better than the last - each one is audacious than the last. Each one more dependent on the LORD than the last, and each one is separate from the other as night is from day - they run into each other. Each other has proven how authentic their ability to write is - how momentous a story can be if you actually read them. The seven brothers are to find brides before a certain time if they are to get their inheritance. Do they ALL do it? Do they ALL fall in love? have they trusted in the LORD for what they needed? GOD is love, GOD is light GOD is faithful day and night HE is eternal and Praise the LORD for that.

The Setup:

GW Hart gives his 7 sons the ultimatum of marry within the year or lose your inheritance. Each brothers story is written by a different author.

FIRST COMES LOVE by Gabrielle Meyer:

Hays Hart is the youngest of the Hart brothers and he is determined to be the first to wed following his fathers ultimatum. Hays decides that he will put up posters asking for women to apply to be his wife. When Emma Longley the new school teacher catches him hanging one of his posters outside of the church she is highly offended. Hays has always tried to make people happy and Emma is no exception. When Hays finds out that Emma wants to build a schoolhouse he's happy to jump right in and help her. Working with Hays, Emma grows more and more attracted to him, but she mustn't allow that to happen because she is determined to move back to her home in Minnesota sure that God is calling her to teach among the Ojibwe Indians. Besides, how can she be sure Hays isn't attracted to her just to get a wife so he can get his inheritance?

I loved this beginning to the Hart brothers finding wives! I've never read any books by this author, but I was immediately drawn into her story and was quite pleased with how Hays's story turned out. I loved Hays's character. He was funny and yet he was serious in his goal to find a wife. He went after what he wanted. I liked that about him. I liked how sassy Emma was, she won't be pushed around by Hays that for sure! Great story!

THE HEART OF TEXAS by Lorna Seilstad

This is the story of Texas Ranger Chisholm Hart, the next youngest of the Hart brothers. When Chisholm and his partner Whit arrive to investigate cattle rustling they come upon Caro Cardova being overtaken by a group of men attempting to hang her cousin for the cattle rustling. Caro swears that Ricardo is innocent and Chisholm and Whit end up staying at the ranch that Caro and her mother work at. Caro is a spit-fire that captures Chisholms attention immediately. With her quick tongue and feisty behavior it isn't long before Chisholm is quite attracted to Caro. But Caro swears she will have nothing to do with a man who puts duty above those he loves like her father did. And Chisholm is all about his duty as a Ranger.

What a fun story! I loved how feisty Caro was. Yes, she did frustrate at points with not listening or heeding warnings, but that is what endeared her to Chisholm so I forgave her. ha! There was a touch of suspense throughout the story as well as some humor that kept me thoroughly entertained. Another Hart brother has found his match!

THE TRUEST HEART by Amanda Barratt

Years ago Annie Parker's father made her marry a man she did not love. Now a widow and wishing to give her 9 year old son a better upbringing Annie moves back to Hartville. Annie is now a midwife ready to serve in the community, but not ready to meet doctor Travis Hart, the man she has always loved, but the man she can never have.

Travis Hart knew when his father issued his edict that he must marry within a year in order to receive his inheritance that he would probably not get his. There was only one woman that Travis ever loved, and that woman was Annie Parker. Now that Annie is back in Hartville does Travis have a chance to win her heart?

Travis and Annie make a good team. I was definitely not a fan of Annie's father, and wanted to reach through the pages and give him a swift kick to the backside! Loved the way that Travis was with Annie's son Robbie. This is number 3 of the Hart brothers, will the rest find their matches?

A LOVE RETURNED by Keli Gwyn

Houston Hart has returned from California to prove to his father that he can be a cattle rancher like his brothers. Houston left years ago, leaving family and his love Coralee behind. Coralee broke his heart then and Houston has no intention of letting it happen again.

Coralee couldn't possibly leave with Houston years ago, but he didn't even give her a chance to explain why so she has no interest in renewing her relationship with him. Coralee has been happy with her life so she is definitely not interested in Houston being home again.

Awww, poor Houston and Coralee! Both so determined to ignore each other and be just friends, but their hearts have different ideas. I enjoyed this Hart brothers story very much. This couple really complement each other well. They are both very caring and love their families. I loved the way Houston stepped in to help Coralee's brother with their ranch and the way he was so caring to Coralee's father. I also loved that after Houston left the first time that Coralee didn't just whither up and fade away, but she became a part of the community and showed her love for people even in the midst of caring for her father. Another sweet story and another Hart brother to the alter! Three more to go!

FOR LOVE OR MONEY by Susan Page Davis

When Crockett Hart finds their neighbors house on fire he immediately jumps in to help put out the fire. Crockett has always liked his neighbor Jane, but her father is a drunk who has let their ranch sink into disarray. Jane and her brother have tried their best to keep up, but now with the fire they have nothing. Crockett enlists the help of his brothers and other neighbors to help Jane and her family rebuild. With his father's edict hanging over his head even though Crockett knows he must marry soon is he willing to let himself fall for Jane and all of her troubles?

I liked Crockett's care for his neighbors, and his willingness to rally everyone to help the Haymaker's get their home rebuilt. I also liked Jane's character. Even though she and Ben had a lazy father they somehow had developed a moral character that he didn't teach them. I did think that there was a giant leap from the normal concern for a neighbor to the hey, I think I love you, let's get married ending. I wish there had been a bit more character development along with some more romantic scenes between Crockett and Jane. That being said, I am happy to see another Hart boy happily paired up with his lady-love...Two more to go and only a couple of months left to fulfill the edict. Who's next?

MAIL-ORDER MAYHEM by Vickie McDonough

Austin Hart is running out of time to meet his father's edict of marrying in one year. He's come up with a plan to meet that deadline. Austin has sent for a mail-order bride.

Rebekah and her sister Jenny are soon to be penniless and homeless. The only way Rebekah sees out of their predicament is to marry. Rebekah's fiance refuses to allow Jenny to live with them so the only thing that Rebekah sees to do is for Jenny to marry Austin Hart. The problem is that Jenny is not ready to marry and Rebekah is already spoken for. Will Austin have to start all over again to find a wife?

I love mail-order bride stories and found MAIL-ORDER MAYHEM to be quite entertaining. I really like Austin's character and was hoping for he and Rebekah to realize that they were meant for each other. Only one Hart brother left, will Bowie find his perfect mate before the year is up?

LOVE AT LAST by Erica Vetsch

Bowie Hart is the last Hart brother left to fulfill his father's edict to marry in a year in order to receive his inheritance. Bowie knows that no woman around Hartville would ever consent to marry him, a broken and scarred replica of humanity. But Bowie has never forgotten his nurse during the war, the only person who never cringed at the sight of his wounds. Bowie sets off to find her and hope that she will consent to be his wife, at least on paper.

Awwwww, Bowie! I absolutely loved this last Hart brothers story! Bowie is such a wounded soul, and Elise is his perfect match. Both starving for affection, one so ready and willing to give and the other so wounded he pushes people away. I loved how Elise managed to break down Bowie's defenses and show him he wasn't the monster he thought he was. Excellent ending to the Hart brothers stories!

The Wrap Up:

What a fun read! I totally loved the whole book and looked forward to each brother's story. Each author did a great job in portraying their brother and gave each brother a unique character. I was attached to some brothers more than others, but I enjoyed all of them. The ending of the story had me crying happy tears for all of the brothers, and left me satisfied that they all were going to live their Happily Ever After lives with their special brides.

Notes: This review is now posted on my blog: http://myfavoritepastime.blogspot.com it is also posted on my facebook pages

Thank you Netgallery for my free ARC of this book.

I was captured by this series of stories about seven brothers pushing into finding wives fast as their father's health fails. Like many other reviewers, I stayed up late several nights in a row because I just had to keep reading this book. I particularly enjoyed the novellas focusing on Bowie, Travis, and Austin. I had some trouble believing that there isn't real trouble in store for the long-term success of the marriage between Crockett and his wife -- this is the only reason this book did not receive five stars from me.

The stories were compelling and varied widely. The series did not feel repetitive. Instead, I was pleased to encounter the new twists as the next brother came into focus for his turn. The brothers and their potential brides' personalities were well developed, and the El Regalo seemed to play its own important role in the series.

Recommended reading.

Seven brothers on the 7 Hart Ranch are given the ultimatum to get married within the year or lose their inheritance. I loved these stories, easy and enjoyable to read, all seven of them. Some of my favorite historical authors wrote these and they are all sweet, Christian reads. And there's lots of reading to keep you busy for quite a while. I highly recommend this excellent collection. I am so pleased that I had the opportunity to read these.

And I couldn't pick a favorite, I loved 'em all!

I was given an ebook copy from NetGalley for my honest review.

A collection of novellas about seven brothers forced to marry by their father or lose their inheritance. The books are all written by different authors but are all sweet and clean; my star rating is due to the fact that several of the stories are written in a very old fashioned way. My favourite was the last story, which if it had been on its own would have garnered 5*.
First Comes Love by Gabrielle Meyer - Hays & Emma's Story - Hays is the youngest Hart, the joker of the family (for want of a better word) and a ladies man, whilst Emma is the new schoolteacher and daughter of the new pastor. Emma plans to return to her work in Minnesota but before she goes wants to fundraise for a dedicated school building. Hays plan is to charm her into giving Texas and him a chance. Length: 9 chapters plus epilogue.
The Heart of Texas by Lorna Seilstad - Chisholm & Caro's Story - Chisholm (2nd youngest) is a Texan Ranger who along with his partner is trying to catch a cattle rustler whilst Caro is a Mexican beauty who, along with her mother, cooks and keeps house for a rancher. Chisholm's character reminds Caro of her father who she has not forgiven for putting duty before his family and her attitude to him is extremely prickly. Length: 13 chapters.
The Truest Heart by Amanda Barratt - Travis & Annie's Story - a second chance at love for Doctor Hart and the widowed, but guilt laden, midwife. Length: 10 chapters
A Love Returned by Keli Gwyn - Houston & Coralee - another second chance romance between businessman Houston and devoted daughter Coralee. 12 years ago when they were 18 and 16 Houston had asked Coralee to marry him and go to California with him but Coralee had made a deathbed promise to her mother to look after her father and turned him down. Length: 11 chapters.
For Love or Money by Susan Page Davis - Crockett & Janie - girl next door romance. Although living on the property next door, Crockett hasn't seen Janie or her brother for years as their fathers do not get along. That changes when Crockett sees smoke and reluctantly heads across to their property to see whether there is a problem and discovers their house on fire. Length: 9 chapters.
Mail Order Mayhem by Vickie McDonough - Austin & ? - Austin plans to take a mail order bride but on the day he meets the stagecoach in Hartville, he discovers his intended has an identical twin sister who has accompanied her. Which twin will he eventually marry? Length: 9 chapters.
Love at Last by Erica Vetsch, who also pens the series Prologue and Epilogue - Bowie & Elise - the scarred, half blind war veteran and his Union nurse. This story was my absolute favourite, Bowie has withdrawn into himself due to his scarring but the love of a good woman changes his life around. Length: 7 chapters.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

I stayed up late several nights in a row reading this because it was just that great!
Widower, George Washington Hart has seven sons. None of these sons are married. After a scare at the doctor's office he is not sure how much longer he will be around. He tells all of his sons they have to marry within a years time or forfeit their inheritance and land on his vast acreage to build a home.
I had such a fun time reading this collection of stories by different authors. I loved every story in this collection! It was a great adventure reading how the brothers met their future wives. War scarred Bowie did make me wonder if he'd take a wife but he did. It was refreshing to see him come to realize the woman that loved him, loved him for himself and did not judge him
because of his scars.
Every story seamlessly blended into the next story without a hitch.
I really loved this book and would love to see a sequel collection about the next generation of Hart family. I highly recommend this to lovers of Historical Christian Romance.
Published December 1st 2016 by Barbour Books

Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Books for providing me with an e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Seven Brides for Seven Texans - Various Authors
This collection has to be my favourite from Barbour Publishing Inc. - and I don’t say that without a good foundation in the series. This collection follows the stories of the seven Hart brothers of the 7-Heart ranch in central Texas. They all live independent lives until their father decides his adult sons will marry or they will be cut from his will. Each brother has a novella dedicated to their bid to find a wife and there was not a single story I disliked. The brothers all take different approaches to find a bride from advertising in Hartville to attempts at rekindling old romances. There’s a story that everybody can smile at, all while knowing that they have morals from the bible to accompany the reading experience.

This collection is an easy read, good to relax and unwind after a busy day - but you may find you can’t put it down!

I loved this little delightful set of novellas set in Texas . The Hart men are on a scramble to find a wife within the year or forfeit their inheritance. I especially loved Bowie Hart's story. He stole my heart.

This book grabbed my attention and held tightly onto it from the very beginning with author Erica Vetsch setting the scene around the dining room table in the Prologue, through each author's story of one a Hart brothers looking or not looking for a wife, to the very end with Erica Vetsch's Epilogue. To say that I LOVED this book would be an understatement. I began reading it one afternoon, stayed up all night to finish it and have since read it again. This collection by seven authors reads like one great big novel. The book takes place from New Year's Day 1874 where the Patriarch of the family G.W. Hart tells his sons that they must marry by the end of the year or lose their inheritance, to New Year's Day 1875 with G.W. talking to the portrait of his late wife Victoria, reliving the past year.

Author Gabrielle Meyer starts us out with "First Comes Love" the story of the youngest Hart brother, Hays. He is eager to be the first one to get married, to finally be the first at something in his family of seven brothers. He starts out by posting wanted posters around town. He runs into a challenge with the new pastor's daughter who is also the new school teacher Emma Longley.

Next, we have "The Heart of Texas" by Lorna Seilstad giving us the story of Texas Ranger Chisholm Hart, away from home on New Year's Day, he gets the news of his father's terms by letter. Chisholm is a busy Texas Ranger, how is he supposed to find a wife? While tracking cattle rustlers Chisholm happens upon a feisty Mexican woman named Caro Marie Cardova Valenzuela. His partner Whit sees there is an attraction there and teases Chisholm about it. This story is full of suspense and danger. I won't give any spoilers but it is so good!

Third, we have Amanda Barratt's "The Truest Heart." Annie Lawrence is returning to Hartsville a widow with a nine-year-old son. Her cruel father forced her to marry Stuart Lawrence while Travis Hart was away fighting in the war. She never stopped loving Travis and feels guilty for thinking of him on her one night with her husband before he too left for the war and never returned. Being the new midwife in town she is forced to work with Travis ,the town's doctor, on occasion. Clearly, they still have feelings for each other, can she overcome her guilty feelings? Can she stand up to her father? There is so much tension and drama in this story, the cruelness of Annie's father is unbearable and makes me hate him. But I loved how this turns out.

Next, we have author Keli Gwyn's "A Love Returned" the story of Houston Hart. Houston left for California instead of going to war with his older brothers, some townsfolk didn't care too much for that. Before Houston left Hartsville, he proposed to Coralee and asked her to go with him to California, but she turned him down saying she couldn't go. He left without finding out why. Now, after receiving a letter from Travis about his father's edict, he has returned home. Having a better head for business than ranching he would work hard to show his brothers and father that he was serious about his duties to the 7 Heart.
This story touched my heart so much, it is impossible to describe. Houston finds out why Coralee could not go with him with such a tender act of kindness, Coralee could not help but let a few of the bricks she had built around her heart fall. There is so much healing and love in this story. Make sure to have some tissues handy.

Number five, "For Love or Money" by author Susan Page Davis is the story of Crockett Hart. It's September, Crockett spends most of his time out tending the huge herd, he was away on a cattle drive and now he is out on the range looking for wondering cattle. Thinking, he just isn't ready to be married yet, or there aren't enough suitable candidates in Hartsville. Crockett smells smoke and rides off to a not so friendly neighbor's ranch to find their small house fully engulfed in flames. He sends up a prayer when he doesn't see any of the family. He gets off his horse to try to save the ramshackle barn. Jane Haymaker shows up and sees him, together they save what they can. Jane and her brother Ben had been friends with the Hart's when they were young but after the death of her mother she and Ben left school to work the small ranch with their father Boyd, who was a lazy drunkard.
You will need some tissues for this story as well. Drama and mystery, the kindness of the community coming together and perhaps the blossoming of love fill this story.

Author Vickie McDonough's "Mail-Order Mayhem" tells the story of the oldest Hart brother Austin. Was he making a mistake in writing for a mail-order bride? He has worked so hard on the ranch and could not lose it, he had no choice but to find a wife. He felt the full responsibility of the ranch was on his shoulders. When his bride stepped off the stage he couldn't believe how his heart bucked, but then she turns her back to him and helps her identical twin sister down. The second woman was Jenny, his bride, but where was the feeling in his heart? Rebekah, the sensible twin makes up for Jenny's lack of introduction and tries to smooth things over with Austin, Jenny had not told him that she was bringing her sister along. Jenny is not pleased with the town or Austin. Rebekah wishes she would be kinder, this has to work, they were about to be homeless. While in their room at the hotel, Jenny admits that Austin does not make her heartbeat speed up, Rebekah on the other hand, keeps it to herself that her heart took off like a racehorse more than once but she has agreed to wed someone else. This story is full of twists and surprises! Is it wrong that Austin feels for Rebekah what he should be feeling for Jenny? The ending of this story will have you on the edge of your seat!

Now we come to "Love at Last" by Erica Vetsch. The story of Bowie Hart, the second oldest brother was not the same after the war where he lost an eye and had been badly burned, still having dark scars from the black powder and a surly disposition. He preferred animals to people and did not go into town. No woman in the county would look at him, much less marry him. It was almost October what was he to do? He overhears his brother talking to their father about letting him out of the deal to marry or be disinherited clause. G.W says he has to try or he will be alone. Bowie is very upset to have people talking about him behind his back. He packs up his things taking a scrap of linen and lace that he's kept for more than ten years, gets his rifle and his dog and leaves. He stops by his brother's hardware store and asks him to take care of a few things for him. Giving him very little information about his plan Bowie leaves town taking his dog with him. He was going to track down the one woman he would ever consider asking to marry him and propose. If she was already married or refused him that would be it, he would never return to the 7 Heart ranch. Elise, being berated and slapped by the cruel uncle that employed her was braced for yet another slap when she opened her eyes to a massive man with his huge hand gripped around Uncle Zeb's fist. Where had she heard that voice before? Slowly, she recognized his one brown eye, Captain Hart. Bowie asks to speak to her in private. During their talk outside the factory, Bowie learns that Elise in unmarried. He asks if there is somewhere quiet they can talk. They go to a small park near the water. Explaining his father's demands, he proposes a deal. He needs a wife and she needs to escape her uncle. It will be in name only, she will have his protection, the run of the house and no other demands will be placed on her. Can Elise give up her childhood dreams of marrying for love? I cannot say anymore without giving away the secrets held in this beautiful story. You must read it for yourself.

This is the longest review I've ever written. My bottom line is this, if you like the time period, cowboys, love and Texas, you will want to read this book over and over. It is one of my all time favorite Barbour collections!
* I requested and received an early e-book form of this book from NetGalley. My review is my own and was not required or influenced by anyone.