The Homestead Brides Collection

In the last post, I said that Bethany House knows how to gather great authors for their novella collections. I also say that Barbour Publishing knows this as well. The Homestead Brides is no exception.



The Homestead Act of 1862 was put into play to encourage western expansion and settlements. The homesteaders were given 160 acres to prove up and live on for five years for a nominal fee. This was one-quarter of a section of land.



Some of these brides were homesteaders after their husbands or fathers passed away trying to prove up the land. Some of the brides were marrying men to help them prove up their land. Some of the brides married the men whose homesteads abutted their own. Some brides also take in children who are not their own, or blend the groom's children with her own.



These books that Barbour puts out are worth reading on an afternoon where you just don't feel like doing anything else. Grab the book, a light blanket, and your drink of choice--coffee, tea, water, and sit down to read awhile.



Five Stars, Two Thumbs Up, and 160 acres of proved up land.



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

The Homestead Brides Collection
By Mary Connealy, Darlene Franklin, Ruth Logan Herne, Carla Gade, Pam Hillman, DiAnne Mills, Erica Vetsch, Becca Whitham, Kathleen Y’Barbo
WOW! This was the never-ending collection until it sadly ended. I honestly enjoyed each of the stories in this collection which is contrary to the odds when compiling a collection such as this. Each story shared the theme of homesteading but was surprisingly different from the last. I was sad to see this collection come to an end. I won’t go through to summarize each story but I will say that each brought a new perspective to homesteading and the challenges for men and women. I imagine it to be exhausting and lonely. This collection provided a more charming tale of this laborious journey for those of the past. I would like to imagine the romance of finding a companion and future in the hardships of life. This collection did just that.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

These stories are amazing! I couldn't put the book down! These authors have put their very best in this book! These stories are different and they show how love does really conquer all!

I received a free copy of this book for my honest opinion from the publisher.

While reading the blurb of this collection, Prairie Promises intrigued me. It wasn't the usual set up, and I have to say, it was my favourite book in this collection. I found the collection fascinating, I had never heard of the homestead laws before this. Yet another brilliant collection!

The Homestead Brides Collection was indeed a exceptional book! I found each story to be just as wonderful as the one before. The characters were so relatable. I enjoyed learning about how hard homesteading was and all the hardships that went with it. The romance in each story was sweet and tender. The couples worked beside each other to run households and work the land. I had to stop between each story and just ponder on what I read, I didn’t want any of the stories to end. I would love to be able to give this book 10 stars, beautifully written!

I truly enjoyed this collection, and felt like there wasn’t a weak link in the entire book. Each author had their own unique point of view, while keeping the common thread of romance and homesteading. I particularly enjoyed Mary Connealy’s story, since it was full of humor and wit, setting the tone for the rest of the novel! I enjoyed the settings especially, and felt like I learned a lot about travel in the American west and mid-west, and what living in a soddy must have been like. I have read several of this series, and thoroughly enjoy them as light, yet uplifting reading.

4 Stars: 4/5 Star Rating
Ohhh, I love novella collections! I can read them quickly and I can pick the book up and choose one when I only have a short time to read. It fits this busy grandma's life for me! I also like getting to meet so many different characters and different circumstances.
The Homestead Brides Collection takes us to a different time in our country's history and allows us to experience life as new homesteaders were putting down roots. Life wasn't easy and it definitely wasn't easy for our delightful heroes and heroines, but that makes it more realistic.
I highly recommend this novella collection to romance lovers and those who love historical fiction.
I received a complementary ARC from netgalley and Barbour Books. I was not required to write a review and all opinions expressed are my own.

If I had to pick one favourite story, it would be the one by Erica Vetsch. Really enjoyed that one! In fact, in the middle of reading this story, as I occasionally do, I went to look at what other books she has. Might buy one of them!

That's the great thing about collections like this, you sometimes discover great authors you didn't know about.

I also loved the stories by Mary Conneally (Humorous. I LOL'd) and DiAnn Mills (heart wrenching.)

Nice book for those who like clean historical romances with a bit of adventure and inspiration.

This is my honest opinion based on the review copy I received from the publisher.