Blacksmith Brides

This is a wonderful book. All the novellas are well written and hold your attention. They have action, suspense, drama and romance. The stories are brought to life with the authors words, you can see the scenery and feel all the emotions. If you like historical christian romance you will love this book. Thank you Barbour Publishing via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this wonderful book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Blacksmith Brides is an entertaining, inspiring collection of easy-to-read novellas written by four skilled authors. The heroes are hard-working, strong but gentle blacksmiths who despite various barriers and adverse circumstances including pending war, betrayal, misconceptions, painful pasts, abandonment, class distinctions, and demanding family obligations find lasting love. Set in diverse locations in the 1700s and 1800s, these stories captured and kept my attention from the start. The characters are well-crafted and memorable. The plots are well-developed and emotionally rich. The faith element is excellently infused into each story. I love reading anthologies, and I must say that this is the best I have ever read. Each story was a blessing and even evoked a few tears! I highly recommend this book!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via netgalley but am under no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

I loved this book! I love anthologies and series of books. These stories were so well written and provided the reader with such an historical view. The characters were down to earth and each one touches you as you read their stories. There is Alexander, a blacksmith, who wants to move to the mountains and make his own way. He meets Meg whose father and brothers are going to war. It is troubling times, but sometimes trouble brings people together. Then there is Elowyn who is forced to marry Josiah. Can they find happiness out of heartache or are some aches too big to heal? There is Flynn with his run-down shop and heavy debt. He meets Esther, a widow, and her son, Charlie, who has asthma. Can Charlie bring Flynn and Esther closer together? And Lastly there is Bowdrie, a grouchy, hard-hearted, ornery cuss of a man, that is until he meets Leah. This book will make you laugh, cry and even get a little upset. I would definitely recommend it.

Unlikely matches prove to be perfect, well orchestrated designs from God.
Worth Saving
hiladelphia 1774 as the Revolutionary War was building to start. Redheaded Meg met Alexander as she is looking for soldiers kits for her brothers and father when they will go off to war. He is taken with her right away. Events bring them together as the story develops. He is determined to go West and not fight. Daniel Boone hears about him and asks him to join their group going to Kentucky. So well written! I'd love to read a continuation of the story,!
Forging Forever
England 1778
Josiah meets Elowyn at an auction, an auction of her as her father puts her up for sale.
A Tempered Heart
Virginia 1861 After the death of her husband, Esther returns home with her special needs son and meets Thomas, the only one who took to her Charlie. Thomas was made an indentured servant when he was a boy, then took on a debt that wasn't his.
A Malleable Heart
California 1870
Bo was sold into service, Leah was taking care of he brother and sisters. They both feel ostracized and unworthy, but find they make a good fit, and their lives are all improved by being together. Some trouble happens and they find how much they've changed.
I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
#BlacksmithBrides #NetGalley

I received an ARC from Barbour Publishing, via NetGalley. This review is my opinion.

I must say that I was truly surprised by this collection, so far my favorite of this year. Each story is better than the other one. Well written, great characters, descriptions, and what I like the most was the main theme. On the first story Worth fighting for by Pegg Thomas she set her story on Philadelphia, 1774. I like that we have two characters that came from Irish immigrants. However, Meg McCracken her father who is an architect and also has four brothers wants to find a love that lasts. The war is no longer a rumor, but a reality and so her father took a brave decision along with his three eldest sons to join the cause. Amid this preparation, Meg needs to order a kit for his family and so she meets Alexander Ogilvie, he is a blacksmith in town who also the youngest one and has a dream of going out and make his own legacy out west. What I like is that although short, the author did a great job.

On the second story Amanda Barratt ( I truly like her story)
In Forging Forever, we go to Cornwall, 1798. From that first moment, you want to learn more about the couple form due to unusual circumstances. I like this is not the typical love story, and we have two main characters with two relatable situations. Josiah, on one hand, has been badly betrayed and he has this hurt deep on his heart and we have Elowyn's own hard life and the view she has on herself. I must say what I like the most of this story is the importance of forgiving and let go and how our value comes from being children of God. In the third story A Tempered Heart by Angela K Couch, set on Charlottesville on 1861, we have Esther who is coming back home after her husband died to live close to her with her beloved son Charlie who is different and for her, that has to be a struggle the rejection her son has received, and we also have Thomas who is the blacksmith through the story we learn more of him. What I like the most about this story is how each character together forms a beautiful picture. Thanks to the author for the epilogue (I love those) I think it gives a better end to the story. And finally, we have A Malleable Heart by Jennifer Uhlarick (So far my favorite story of her) Elverton, 1870. Leah who is raising her brothers and sisters has many trials and needs to work, meet Bo who is the blacksmith of town, and people are afraid of him. What I like about this story is that its full redemption, a beautiful second chance of family and faith.

This collection is a must-read if you like historical Christian fiction as I say before. Well written, faith, great characters, descriptions. This book will make you think and go deeper into your relationship with God.

I really enjoy reading Barbour's novella collections. Each one focuses on a certain subject along with a faith filled messages in each story. This one is about Blacksmiths in the late 1700's and the 1800's.
We find these blacksmiths in areas such as Pennsylvania,Cornwall,England,Virginia and California.
Yes these are primitive times and there are hardships. But we as humans have the capability to overcome hardships with faith and perseverance we can overcome. Faith filled messages are encouraging in these romantic reads.

Pub Date 01 May 2020
I was given a complimentary copy. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.

I always enjoy Barbour's novella collections. Four authors provided the readers with lovely stories that was unique and held my attention.