A wonderful collection of stories interconnected by the ladies of Decatur, Illinois who provided food and aid to wounded soldiers passing through on hospital trains during the Civil War.
Enjoyed all three of these well-written delightful tales. Each story is separate, but builds on the story before, mentioning people of the town and events leading up to Christmas. Faith, family, friendship and love are woven skillfully throughout. Love that the authors are so careful with historical details, even with authentic recipes, which are included at the end. It was very heartwarming learning about the Basket Brigade, something I'd never heard of before, and how they gave so sacrificially to ease the suffering of the poor wounded soldiers. Recommend especially for Christian historical fiction fans!

(Thank you for the book provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.)

Three charming stories of the residents of Decatur, Illinois, who came together to meet the medical trains during the civil war.
The stories main characters are women that became involved with The Basket Brigade which is a group of ladies that provided food, treats and comfort to the soldiers.

They were well written stories and one of the many aspects I enjoyed was that the stories were interwoven.
I liked the fact that I could continue to see how the characters still had a presence in the towns selfless caring of the soldiers.

The authors were all new to me, but I'd certainly read more of their work as they took such care to being authentic to the time period, even to the recipes that are included.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest.

A Basket Brigade Christmas is a collection of three stories. The stories include: A Stitch in Time by Stephanie Grace Whitson A Pinch of Love by Judith Miller Endless Melody by Nancy Moser I enjoyed all of the stories. Judith Miller's A Pinch of Love was my favorite of the three. Great collection! Five stars

In each of these stories strong women sought to fulfill needs of the many wounded men of the Civil War. Each had a purpose and did everything to succeed. These stories were based on a real basket brigade during the war. Readers will enjoy reading about this group of women and learn more about the basket brigade.

Although I have confessed in my prior reviews how much I enjoy inspiration fiction such as this collection I feel it's only fair to do so once more, I loved, loved these stories.

Whenever I can get both my hands and my eyes onto a story that involves the Civil War I am going to read the material. I feel as if there should more stories that feature the war as a major plot point and the authors of this collection certainly did an outstanding job bringing to life the landscape as well as the Civil War era to life.

Each of the women in the short stories brought food and comfort to the soldiers of the war. These women were completely selfless in their involvement in caring for the soldiers. This fact allowed the romance to really blossom and that is always my favorite part regarding inspirational fiction, the romance.

Within the pages of such fiction the romance is always allowed to properly grow,. There is no need for language or ever explicit behavior, the romance is simply beautiful. I like nothing more within modern-day authors and I love taking my kindle and sitting on my front porch swing and be swept away within the boundaries of these stories.

Each of these authors are new to me, but I highly enjoyed the stories. I would highly recommend this collection to readers as I would most inspiration fiction.

Refreshing new look at the Civil War! The concept of the basket brigade is not something I've read about before, and these three short stories were a very nice introduction to the town of Decatur and its residents. I found myself wanting to know where their paths lead...after the war ends.

I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!!!! It was so sweet and so original. I loved the people in the town and I thought these were charming stories for the Christmas season

Three novellas by three top-shelf authors about the darkest hour in American History. Taking place in Decatur, Illinois, three women who each have a different role to play in the Basket Brigade bring comfort to the wounded soldiers of the Union Army as they travel to Chicago for medical care.

Lucy has gotten a group of ladies together to sew blankets and knit socks for the soldiers in A Stitch in Time by Stephanie Grace Whitson. Lucy is almost taken in by a deserting gambler who sweet talks her when Silas is standing by as steady as a rock. It takes a scene in her own home for Lucy to understand who is really true.

Sarah McHenry organizes and serves food to the soldiers on the train in A Pinch of Love by Judith Miller. She meets and falls in love with Corporal Jacob Curtis who escorts the soldiers on their way to Chicago. He has to overcome his hurt and jealousy because of being jilted by a former love, especially when a young man vying for Sarah's hand makes his relationship with Sarah more than it truly is. God has to do a work in both their hearts for them to really come together.

Zona Evans is the leader of the Christmas Musicale in the Endless Melody by Nancy Moser. She was once engaged to Cardiff Kensington when he goes off to fight in the Mexican War. She never heard from him in the fifteen years since the war, and now there is a new war tearing the country apart. Cardiff has become a doctor and has been asked to come to Chicago to help in the hospital where the soldiers are treated. Between the people at his boarding house and the doctor and the volunteer at the hospital, he is encouraged to find Zona. Zona has to overcome her mother's perfidy in hiding Cardiff's letters, her pride, her desire to have her own way in her musicale. After making many amends in town, she writes a letter to a soldier in the hospital that ends up in Cardiff's hands. Now it is a beautiful Christmas Carol that brings them back together.

All three novellas are quite enjoyable and will make wonderful Christmas reading, especially with a cup of hot cocoa by your side.

Five Stars, Two Thumbs Up, and a blanket, a sandwich, and a song.

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

Perfect set of Christmas stories

Wonderfully historically rich stories! Facts and fiction together made wonderful wartime stories. I loved the little glimpse of history what the basket brigade was, and what the three stories in the book are based on... but you will have to read to find out! ;) Another great collection from Barbour Books.

Women fighting the good fight in Decatur, Illinois. Armed with kindness and love, they serve the injured and wounded soldiers travelling by trains through their city with warm clothing, food and Christmas carols - and some of them are finding love within this service.

Lovely collection! I am touched and inspired by the kindness of Decatur womenfolk (this is historically accurate). As Chinese saying goes: "A hundred men may make an encampment, but it takes a woman to make a home."
And these kind women surely made a bit of home for wounded men, coming from cruelty of war, when showing them both a moment of warmth and a practical help. These moments can make a turning point in person’s life.

All of the stories are of a good quality. I personally loved "A Pinch of Love" by Judith Miller the most, because I found the conflict here most believable and well-played. "Endless Melody" by Nancy Moser shows the most maturity in the characters, as they recognize their own weaknesses and strive to make right from their mistakes. "A Stitch in Time" by Stephanie Grace Whitson is a simple, solid, oldschool love story - and who would not like that?

Sweet collection of novellas. Recommended for Christmastime or any other time!