9 couples find love on the wild frontier.

Where the Heart Is, tells the tale of Leah and Blake as they meet in church and follows them back to Wisconsin where they go to make a life together, learning more about each other everyday.

Polly in The Midwife's Apprentice goes along on the wagon train to help a woman when her baby is being born, but she also helps everyone else in their time of need, in order to survive. She beings her mother's journal along for comfort, and reads it often. She is one of my favorite heroines in this series, strong and always ready to help others, in this amazing, poignant tale.

Murder or Matrimony is a mystery that takes place on a wagon train. Megan notices the new guy, Bernie, who seems to be watching her. As Bernie get's know Megan, he has questions, but he doesn't jump to conclusions. Will they be able to solve the mystery together?

Bride in the Valley follow the same wagon train as the previous story. Penny though raised in a life of privilege, sees Dillon as a great guy. I liked her relationship with her dad, and how she encourages Dillon to be more confident.

New Garden Inspiration is one of my favorite stories, Leah agrees to marry Caleb the day before he goes to war and take care of his two young sons. She is industrious and keeps bees, and knows how to use their honey for it's healing properties. A wonderful story, with great interaction between the characters.

In A Tender Branch when Jesse shows up on Mary;s doorstep with surprising news, she doesn't know what to think but before she knows it she is on a cross country train trip. I liked how Mary prayed and sought God's guidance with an open mind.

Knight and Day is about Evelyn and her sisters who agree to marry men in Wyoming, but when they get there and Evelyn and Gareth meet, they found that they both have been keeping something from the other--their children! But as they get to known each other, they find themselves becoming a family.

On a White Charger is about Evelyn's sister, Emmiline, who is looking forward to marrying a cowboy. But Joe isn't like anyone that she's read about in the dime novels. Will Joe be able to win her over with his steady faith and patience? I loved Joe, by far my favorite hero, he is patient, kind and sticks to his convictions.

I loved the humor in The Wonder of Spring, Charlene writes stories about her grandfather, Jed, under the name Charlie Martin. But when the new owner of the newspaper comes to town, they are all in a sticky situation. Charlene knows something is up when her grandfather invites Matt to stay with them. Will it all be untangled in the end?

Overall a wonderful collection, of interesting and entertaining stories by various authors.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

Where the Heart Is Collection is a collection of 9 stories by 8 authors. This collection is a new favorite that Barbour Has published to date (which changes frequently). These stories include:
Where the Heart Is by Sally Laity The Midwife's Apprentice by Rhonda Gibson Murder or Matrimony by Pamela Kaye Tracey Bride in the Valley by Andrea Boeshaar New Garden's Inspiration by Claire Sanders A Tender Branch by Jane LaMunyon Knight and Day by Erica Vetsch On a White Charger by Erica Vetsch The Wonder of Spring by Carol Cox I enjoyed every one of these stories. My favorites are by Carol Cox, Erica Vetsch and Sally Laity. Highly highly recommend! 5 plus stars

When you need to curl up with a good story for forty-five minutes to an hour or so, grab this collection of novellas. There is something for everyone here--cowboys, mail order brides, sheep herders, knights in shining armor(?), arranged marriages, and just plain, old-fashioned falling in love. Some of the stories have been published before, but they fit in with this olio and are as enjoyable as sitting down with old friends. I have enjoyed every minute of the time it took me to read the nine stories. The heroines were sassy, sweet, strong, and sublime. The heroes are stalwart, swarthy, strapping, and suave. Where the Heart Is is truly a great medley of stories to fill those few minutes in between projects or chores, or appointments. Five Whopping, Shiney Stars!

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

I found this to be a wonderful collection of clean romantic short stories. I have read books from some of these authors but most of them were new to me. I am always happy to find new authors to add to my to read list. As with all compilation books there are some stories that are better than others. That being said I didn't dislike any of them. I liked some and loved others. Some of them have characters in common and some are stand alone. This is a great way to try new authors. It is also perfect for busy people who only have a short amount of time to read each day. I would recommend this to any that like a good clean romance.

Where the Heart Is Romance Collection by Andrea Boeshaar is a new type of favorite for me. I used to eschew multiple author books, because I felt novellas just weren't worth my reading investment. This book and others have recently totally changed my thinking. The stories are short. Requested on the strength of names like Andrea Boeshaar,Sally Laity,and Carol Cox, I found some new authors to love and follow along with my previous favorites.

First of all, these are Civil War sweet romances. Clean, but hints of the marital union, as many of the couples are married before they even know each other.
1)Sally Laity's Where the Heart Is introduces Leah Somerville, who quickly marries Blake Malone, only to travel to his logging camp in Wisconsin and suffer poor living conditions and loneliness. Will Leah give up on this marriage, or can God work in her heart?
2)The Midwife's Apprentice by Rhonda Gibson follows Polly Schultz, a midwife's assistant, on the Oregon Trail and Gordon Baker, a pastor who also suffers abandonment issues yet is poised to perpetuate those same issues.
3)Murder or Matrimony by Pamela Kay Tracy turned out to be one of my favorites! Megan Crawford is traveling west on the Oregon Trail to start life anew when she falls for Bernie Williams. This was a story FULL of surprises!! I absolutely loved it!!
4)Bride in the Valley by Andrea Boeshaar was written about the same wagon train, but highlighted a different, although already introduced couple. I loved this continuity between authors and extension of storyline!! "Vocation doesn't make a man. A man's worth comes from within him." Loved how poetic justice finally catches up with people.
5)New Garden's Inspiration by Claire Sanders was another new-to-me author I really enjoyed. The main character marries to escape a lifetime of rejection only to experience more rejection. Can this marriage be salvaged?I loved this blossoming/waning relationship!!
6)Jane LaMunyon pens A Tender Branch, a tale of Mary Sherwood, who as a young girl lost her family and Southern home to cruel Northern troops. She holds her father responsible. When a handsome stranger comes to escort her cross-country to her long-believed dead father, will she find strength to forgive, or will she close the door on God's still, quiet voice? "You've made an altar of your right to be angry." Words for all of us.
7)Knight and Day by Erica Vetsch tells the story of Evelyn, eldest of four sisters, all of whom have come west to marry ranchers. Can Evelyn trust her new husband to help raise her coddled Eastern son, and how will she ever win over "Mad Dog"? Words for the wise...""God was in control...it wasn't her job to hold the universe together." I love stories with spiritual truths!!
8)On a White Charger by Evelyn Vetch is a continuation of story seven, but dealing with Emmeline, the sister who has long romanticized strong,decisive cowboys and cattle ranches. She marries her stranger husband, just to find he is a sheepherder, hated by cattle ranchers and cowboys, and a pacifist to boot. Can she ever respect him? A wonderful, but possible story of two hearts learning to trust God and respect each other.
9) Carol Cox writes of her beloved Arizona in the Wonder of Spring. This is nearly a comedy. Charlene lives with her aged grandfather. She has come to support them by writing the tales of her grandfather's exploits of his youth, but under a masculine pen name. When the new newspaper owner, not aware of her true authorship of the series visits their home, Charlene and Grandpa work hard to keep their subterfuge in place. But what will happen as conscience and love take their toll? Great descriptions of the area are included. This narrative is another reason to love this book!!

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

.In Where the Heart is by Sally Laity, Leah Somerville is heartbroken when she finds out her brother will inherit her home, Laurelwood. Leah hoped and prayed her hard work and dedication to her family and Laurelwood would result in her being given the home, even though it wasn’t the norm in 1860. However, she realizes she must find another place to live when her younger brother boldly announces he is to receive the home immediately.

Rhonda Gibson introduces us to Polly Schultz in The Midwife’s Apprentice. Polly is traveling on the Oregon Trail after being forced from her home by her mentor’s new husband. She is journeying with a family expecting a baby. However, due to a misunderstanding, she has to abandon their wagon and stay with another family.

Murder or Matrimony, by Pamela Kay Tracy, puts us back on the Oregon Trail with Megan Crawford. Megan left her old life behind in the hopes of a new beginning but, she encounters multiple hurdles along the way. Bride in the Valley, by Andrea Boeshaar, remains on the Oregon Trail. Dillon Trier and Penny Rogers are two young people we met in an earlier story. Miss Penny isn’t the best cook, especially over a campfire, but the few times Dillon eats with her family, he has no complaints. Dillon’s been ordered by his boss to stay away from the ladies and concentrate on his job of making sure his boss’ spoiled, pampered daughter’s piano makes it safely across the dangerous terrain.

New Garden’s Inspiration, by Claire Sanders, is set in Indiana in 1861. Leah Wall, a young Quaker, living with relatives since the death of her parents, feared she would never marry. Nevertheless, handsome Caleb Whitaker, a widower with two children, asks for her hand in marriage. However, Leah quickly discovers all is not as she thought or dreamed.

A Tender Branch, by Jane LaMunyon, takes place in 1874. Mary Sherwood is grown. However, she never forgave her father for letting the Civil War claim him on the battlefield. She also blames him for her mother’s death and the destruction of their home when she was six years old. Now, she finds out that her father is not only alive, but has the audacity to want to see her, and wants her to travel cross-country to where he has started his new life.

Erica Vetsch brings us the story of Evelyn in Knight and Day. Evelyn is one of four sisters forced out of their home upon their father’s death. The four have traveled to Wyoming in 1874 as mail order brides. Unbeknownst to Evelyn, her future groom has a child. Evelyn has a child too and hasn’t told her future groom either.

The story of Evelyn’s sister, Emmeline, is picked up in On a White Charger, by Erica Vetsch. Emmeline is a dreamer and fantasizes about a life as a cattle rancher’s wife. Her fantasies are fueled by dime novels and have ill-prepared her for life as a shepherd’s wife; adding insult to injury, the local cattle ranchers don’t like the sheep either.

Carol Cox finishes the collection with The Wonder of Spring. Charlene Matkin and her grandfather, Jed have been trying to support themselves by selling eggs to the town grocer. In her spare time, Charlene writes stories based on her grandfather’s life. She realizes her dream when an out-of-town newspaper wants to publish her stories. However, there is a catch-she has to have a masculine pen name. Charlene is torn between her desire to write and earn enough money to supplement her meager earnings, and her aversion to creating a pen name, thereby perpetrating a falsehood. After much consideration, she decides on the pen name, Charlie.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Great read. Liked the characters and story flow. History makes for interesting reading. Following the journey of these characters was entertaining and enjoyable. Facing hard times and making choices in a rough time is difficult but having faith and support makes all the difference. Highly recommend!

Fluffy, sweet, leading on a rocky road to love....these women must endure many challenges to get to the love desired. I'm not sure I would have the strength to survive in the 1860's and 70's and especially traveling in wagons loaded with all your life's possessions. These women and men must make many sacrifices. I particularly love the novellas set on the Oregon Trail because this was a situation my students often used a computer program to set up a virtual trip on the Oregon Trail with their families. I found it quite fascinating as I observed the choices students made and these couples must do this without the benefit of technology.
These are all authors who are new to me. It was very nice to be introduced to several authors at once in a novella. I am looking forward to reading more from these authors since tasting a bit of their writing styles. With novella collections such as this one, I again found the stories predictable in nature, but that doesn't distract one from enjoying the quick reads. This collection is perfect for vacations or a short break from reality that takes you on a journey filled with stress and romance. What a combination! But isn't that often the way with love?
I am giving this novella collection a rating of 5 stars and highly recommend it to those like to read a clean, sweet story.
Fluffy, sweet, leading on a rocky road to love....these women must endure many challenges to get to the love desired. I'm not sure I would have the strength to survive in the 1860's and 70's and especially traveling in wagons loaded with all your life's possessions. These women and men must make many sacrifices. I particularly love the novellas set on the Oregon Trail because this was a situation my students often used a computer program to set up a virtual trip on the Oregon Trail with their families. I found it quite fascinating as I observed the choices students made and these couples must do this without the benefit of technology.
These are all authors who are new to me. It was very nice to be introduced to several authors at once in a novella. I am looking forward to reading more from these authors since tasting a bit of their writing styles. With novella collections such as this one, I again found the stories predictable in nature, but that doesn't distract one from enjoying the quick reads. This collection is perfect for vacations or a short break from reality that takes you on a journey filled with stress and romance. What a combination! But isn't that often the way with love?
I am giving this novella collection a rating of 5 stars and highly recommend it to those like to read a clean, sweet story.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."
(I received an ARC of this selection and my copy contains no novella written by Connie Stevens although she is listed on the cover)