Of Rags and Riches Romance Collection

Nine Stories of Poverty and Opulence During the Gilded Age

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Pub Date 01 Jul 2017 | Archive Date 01 Oct 2017

Description

Love Flourishes during America’s Gilded Age
 
Journey along in nine historical romances with those who lives are transformed by the opulence, growth, and great changes taking place in America’s Gilded Age. Nine couples meet during these exhilarating times and work to build a future together through fighting for social reform, celebrating new opportunities for leisure activities, taking advantage of economic growth and new inventions, and more. Watch as these romances develop and legacies of faith and love are formed.
 
Union Pacific Princess by Jennifer Uhlarik - Cheyenne, Dakota Territory, 1867
In the hell-on-wheels rail town of Cheyenne, grieving Boston socialite Dara Forsythe must choose between her estranged father; Connor, a bigwig with the Union Pacific Railroad; and Gage Wells, a former Confederate sharpshooter bent on derailing the Transcontinental Railroad’s progress.
 
The Right Pitch by Susanne Dietze - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1876
Guarded industrialist Beck Emerson agrees to sponsor his sister’s all-female baseball team. But when pretty pitcher Winnie Myles throws a curveball that makes him team manager, it challenges his plan to play it safe in life and love.
 
A Gift in Secret by Kathleen Y’Barbo - New Orleans, Louisiana, 1871
May Bolen offers Sam Austin a marriage of convenience. He will get to run the company that drove his into bankruptcy, and she will be free from her father’s rule to travel the world. But when Sam meets May, he knows the offer is too good to be true—or convenient—when hearts become tangled.
 
For Richer or Poorer by Natalie Monk - Newark, New Jersey, 1885
In order to bring her starving family to New Jersey, Polish immigrant Marcella Lipski must marry wealth. So she takes Americanization lessons from the poor-but-mysterious cart driver teaching her English—and loses her heart in the process.
 
A House of Secrets by Michelle Griep - St. Paul, MN 1890
Ladies Aide Chairman, Amanda Carston resolves to clean up St. Paul’s ramshackle housing, starting with the worst of the worst: a “haunted” house that’s secretly owned by her beau—a home that’s his only means of helping brothel girls escape from the hands of the city’s most infamous madam.
 
Win, Place, or Show by Erica Vetsch - New York City, 1890
Beryl Valentine, a socialite with a passion for horses, finds herself falling in love with her riding instructor, a man her parents will never accept. Will she follow her parents’ wishes, or let Gard Kennedy ride away with her heart? 
 
The Fisherman’s Nymph by Jaime Jo Wright - Flambeau River, Wisconsin, 1890
The reclusive daughter of a fly-fisherman guide must read the waters for a wealthy gentleman’s sport and send him back where he belongs before he hooks her heart and takes her away from the river she was born to love.
 
The Gardener’s Daughter by Anne Love - Bay View, Michigan, 1895
When the nephew of a prestigious Chautauqua resort founder sets his eye on the new library assistant believing her an academy student, it will take more than reciting poetry for love to bloom when he learns she’s the humble gardener’s daughter.
 
A Tale of Two Hearts by Gabrielle Meyer - Little Falls, Minnesota, June 1899
Reputations and jobs are on the line when lady’s maid, Lucy Taylor, and neighboring footman, Elijah Boyer, compete against each other for a place of honor during the annual community appreciation event hosted by their wealthy employers.
Love Flourishes during America’s Gilded Age
 
Journey along in nine historical romances with those who lives are transformed by the opulence, growth, and great changes taking place in America’s...

Available Editions

EDITION Paperback
ISBN 9781683222637
PRICE $14.99 (USD)
PAGES 448

Average rating from 48 members


Featured Reviews

All 9 stories in this book are set in the late 1800's. Perfect for those who love historical fiction! All have great love stories and most of the stories, I sat down to read and finished in the same setting! My favorite was Union Pacific Princess. That's the one that left me wanting more. More of the back story, more of the future, just more! Loved this collection of stories and would recommend it to ANYONE who likes historical fiction.

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Another wonderful collection of stories. The nice thing about this collection was that it had a common theme instead of a common setting, giving incredible variety to the settings, times and events in each. Each story was historically rich and informative while of course including a unlikely romance that took one or both of the couple from rags to riches. Compelling read that I could hardly put down. I enjoyed it very much!

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She's poor, he's rich; he's poor, she's rich; either way, the love bug bites them and elevates at least one of the couple into the polite society of the day. In this collection of romance novellas, the money spoke and it said, "I love you."

The powers that be at Barbour Books pulled together nine extremely talented authors to bring love to society's mis-matched couples. I have come to the conclusion that there are authors who write best when they write full length novels, but there are some incredible authors who can write the short novella and bring just as much enjoyment to the reader as the full-length novelists do. It's quite a feat, and Barbour Books knows who these authors are and how to tap into their talents to the best outcome.

This is a five-star collection, two thumbs up, and an unexpected bit of money.

My thanks to Barbour Books for allowing me to read and review this book.

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First, let me clarify that the title of this novella collection isn’t From Rags to Riches. I wanted to get that across upfront because after the second story, I was a little confused.

Each of these stories set in the gilded age (1867-1899) follows characters in different financial situations. Some of the stories are about a poor person and a rich person, some about two servants, and some about two wealthy people. However, all of them emphasis the point that love knows no boundaries.

It’s always hard for me to review these collections because each story has something special about it but if I go into all nine stories in this novella collections, you’re going to get bored. So, instead, I’ll share my favorite of the bunch.

The Right Pitch by Susanne Dietze has a hero who sees himself as not whole but the heroine doesn’t see him that way at all. Add in the fun of women playing baseball and the fourth of July, and there’s something that screams summer about this love story.

With so many offerings in this collection, there is bound to be something for everyone to enjoy. Plus, readers have the added benefit of several bite-size stories you can read in one sitting. Barbour Publishers excel at providing readers with quality novella collections that don’t disappoint.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

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This was a great collection of novellas featuring all different economic classes. I figured I'd enjoy it but I will say I enjoyed it more than I initially thought I would. Several great novellas here and such fun ideas for each storyline. I loved the variety, some more sweet, some more intense but all with a happily ever after.

These are Christian fiction and written very well by some authors I've read before and some whom I was very happily surprised to discover. If you enjoy sweet historical Christian romance stories and novellas that you can enjoy one or two here or there I recommend checking this one out! There are nine great novellas waiting for your enjoyment!

The stories vary in location and subject matter but all are set in the same time period. Some little bits of what you'll find within this collection are:

Railroads, Native Americans, attorneys, intrigue, horses, hidden identities, secrets, heartache, sickness, maid servants, baseball, deceit, foreign language, ships, newspapers, fishing, dancing, outdoor excursions, storytelling, archery, hospitals, competitions, hunting, civil war, library, children, studies, academies, flowers, flowers, flowers, books, race cars, fathers, damsels in distress, fire, atoning, music, sorrow, gentlemen, adventure, fortunes, balls, orphanages, picnics, stolen kisses, Love and weddings.

And so much more than all of those awaits you within the pages of this collection. Grab it, sit and savor one novella at a time or snuggle in with a blanket and drink and devour it all at once(plan nothing else for that day).

Content: Clean. Some kissing, some peril but nothing graphic or too intense. This is Christian fiction so there are some elements of religion, mostly characters thinking about God, silent prayers for help and guidance and a few characters reminding each other that God is in charge and to trust him.

I received a copy from the publisher, Barbour Publishing, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

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Usually when I read and review one of these collections, I like to give a review on each individual story. But, occasionally, my opinion on each individual story is nearly the same as what I could say about the collection as a whole.

I can honestly say that I really enjoyed this entire collection. There were a couple of stories that had settings that just didn’t quite resonate with me as well—but that is certainly more of a preference than the quality of the story and writing. There were also a couple of stories that had settings that I just loved! But including those stories and the ones that fell somewhere in between, I found this to be a collection with a large variety of settings, characters, and circumstances. Binding everything together was a theme of money (or lack of). The stories took me all across the country and it was quite the adventure.

There were a few times that I felt like the stories may have been a bit on the rushed side, but I suppose to some degree that is to be expected with novellas. And there were certainly times that I was disappointed that I couldn’t stay in a particular story longer. All in all though, this collection is well-written, has wonderful themes and messages in the story, and was a joy to read. I can highly recommend this one.


**I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.**

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A wonderful set of stories featuring people from all walks of life who find love and faith bridge any differences. Set across the U.S. between 1867 and 1899, a period of rebuilding and growth, and a time of new ideas and inventions. This fun series starts with a train explosion and ends with an exciting auto race, with a unique set of nine new stories.

"Goodness and kindness know no social limits."
From immigrants to heiresses, a women's baseball team to a woman fly fisher, people in service to politicians, former soldiers, librarian, sea captain, entrepreneurs, to fox hunts and auto races, there was a full gamut of interesting characters and adventures. Some had more faith lessons included than others, yet all had some message of hope and inspiration.
"Never could wealth or the lack of it, nor hardship, ease, or difference ever destroy what faith, hope, and love could build."
Some stories had an upstairs-downstairs Downton Abbey feel to them, and a few with a bit of a Cinderella plot. Hard to say what my favorite was, as I thoroughly enjoyed them all! The tale of the women's baseball team in The Right Pitch was unusual and fun, with an exciting game, also the enthusiastic librarian in The Gardener's Daughter working in a "Chautauqua" community--something new to me--was an endearing one. They were all very good though. One of the best collections I've read so far.

Highly recommend to readers who enjoy historical Christian romances. 4.5 stars

(An e-book was provided by NetGalley and Barbour Publishing. All opinions are my own.)

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I haven't previously read anything by any of these authors, so I was a little apprehensive about whether I'd find anything I liked--and I enjoyed ALL of the stories, although not all equally. I really liked the fact that they were novellas, so I could read them quickly, but I also felt like they were, for the most part, well-developed stories that didn't feel rushed or end too abruptly. It's hard to be pick a favorite story; they were all good!

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This collection is the perfect fit for readers seeking a variety of bite size yet satisfying stories. As an added bonus, there's also an excellent chance of meeting a new author (which opens the door to MORE satisfying stories... YAY!). 

 While I won't take time to comment on each individual story (there are NINE of them after all), I especially enjoyed learning little tidbits about baseball, horses, and fly fishing and my heart melted over homeless orphan children, a secret safe house, academic pursuits (library dates? yes, please!), and a sibling in need. Every story within this book is graced with a swoon-worthy, strong, and heroic male lead.

It's no surprise that we as readers enjoy rags to riches stories and tales of love rising above all circumstances, think of The Prince and the Pauper, Cinderella, Ruth and Boaz, Esther, and a whole host of modern movies I won't bother to list here! This collection is a delightful smorgasbord of Gilded Age romance and heartwarming entertainment. 

I requested the opportunity to read this book through the publisher. The opinions expressed are my own.

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Of Rags and Riches is a vagabond bag full of 9 Novellas. The stories have race cars, gentlemen, competitions, railroad, newspapers, native Americans, orphanages, adventures, Suspense, danger, baseball, forced marriage, mystery, righting wrongs, horses, mishaps, turmoil, College Romance and believe it or not there is a ton more. This book was abounding in mystery intrigue, fun, romance and love. Some of these stories can be very plausible today if you added modern day conveniences to things. These authors made a monumental feet - they blew me out of the water with each and every story being so intrinsically. These stories are stark and also lighthearted as well you cannot beat all that.

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This is a book for people who enjoy reading Historical fiction, and rags to riches romances. The nine different novellas were interesting, but didn't hold my attention the whole time, and I would read a few and then switch to another book or activity. It was a fun adventure traveling with the different characters to different places such as New York and Wisconsin, and to different social classes. This book was good and the writing styles of the authors was refreshing.

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A lovely collection of romance stories!

Novella collections are so fun to read, and the uniting theme of this nine-author book is especially tempting with its Cinderella-like glimpses into the glamorous life of the late 1800's to early 1900's. (Yes, I like a touch of glitz.)

Win, Place, or Show, by Erica Vetsch, has interesting details about horsemanship.

The wording used in For Richer or Poorer, by Natalie Monk, put me right in the setting of the story with a sweet immigrant woman trying to help her family and a handsome hero trying to help homeless orphans.

With the twist of a female fishing guide...I'm sure this was unusual for the 1900's, The Fisherman's Nymph, by Jamie Jo Wright, is a good story of reversed expectations and of wilderness experiences, which I love.

All these novellas offer sweet romance with a touch of faith. A lovely, varied set of romance mini-books!

*I received a copy of this book through NetGalley. This review is my honest opinion.

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Journey along in nine historical romances with those who lives are transformed by the opulence, growth, and great changes taking place in America’s Gilded Age. Nine couples meet during these exhilarating times and work to build a future together through fighting for social reform, celebrating new opportunities for leisure activities, taking advantage of economic growth and new inventions, and more. Watch as these romances develop and legacies of faith and love are formed.
This is an anthology full of women and men in different financial circumstances sprinkled all around the new United States taking place in the late 1800s. Each story is inspiring with a underlying Christian theme and very well written. I highly recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

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