Love's Story

Love's Story  By  Dianne Christner

Published By  Barbour Publishing/Barbour Books   October 01, 2016

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

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Publisher's Description

Rediscover this classic romance from bestselling author Dianne Christner. Take the journey with Meredith Mears from New York City to a primitive town in the redwood forests of northern California. As a female journalist for McClures Magazine in 1899, Meredith has something to prove with her big story on forest conservation. But when her research leads her to logger Thatcher Talbot—a man with something to hide—will she be forced to choose between her story and her heart? Also included is a bonus historical romance from author Kristin Billerbeck.

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Story Notes

This re-release of Dianne Christner's wonderful adventure to the Redwood forests of California was a true pleasure to read. The adventure begins in the first sentence and doesn't stop until the last word - twisting and turning through the difficult paths of trust and the healing power of God's love.

Meredith Storm Mears is a reporter for McClure magazine - one of few women in America who has attained that position. She recently read several articles by John Muir and heard him speak on the new idea of forest conservancy - an idea that is relatively unheard of in the woods of the West. Meredith requests the opportunity to travel to California to research the logging camps and those who run them. Shocked to learn the life expectancy of a newly employed logger is about 7 years, Meredith is further determined to tell people in the East of the men who "are out to tame the untamable by raw muscle power and tough determination". Her quest will lead her straight into the path of Thatcher Talbot, a man determined to lose himself in his new work as a Redwood logger at Buckner's Stand. Meredith is not sure why Thatcher is so against her writing stories about the logging camps but she quickly sends a telegram to her boss to find out what Thatcher is hiding. Thatcher has come to California in search of honest work that doesn't profit from others loss - a search that is in direct opposition to his father's way of doing business. His father's demands had become so burdensome and against his Christian values that Thatcher seeks to find solace in fair pay for a job well done. These reasons and others will be what will both bring Meredith and Thatcher together and, if they aren't careful, could tear them apart. Ms. Christner's characters were so wonderfully human it was great fun to read of their  (mis) adventures and sparring dialogue. I loved that both Meredith and Thatcher held such strong faith and convictions in spite of coming from difficult families. Ms. Christner allowed each of them to be tested in their faith and the growth each experienced was a good reminder to me - do I seek to do things to please myself and others or do I seek to serve God in my efforts. In Meredith, Ms. Christner also tackled the difficult task of one's placing complete trust in God so that one can then trust those around them. I appreciated the fact that Ms. Christner chronicled the entirety of Meredith's journey to trust both God and Thatcher - it gave an authenticity to the concepts being presented and kept the story from being shallow and unremarkable. And Ms. Christner's secondary characters Jonah Shaw, Amelia Cooper and Beatrice Bloomfield provide excellent conversations with the main characters that create further depth to Meredith and Thatcher as well as provide some funny side stories.  I was also pleased to see that Ms. Christner included references to John Muir, Gifford Pinchot and the conservation/preservation ideas that they espoused. I recently visited Muir Woods, home of the Pinchot Redwood, and it was neat to read this story that took place close to the areas I had toured. What a joy to see that the somewhat unpopular ideas of a few men led to the preservation of a species of tree that would most certainly be extinct given how completely logging companies stripped the land. I will be certain to recommend this book to others and will also be looking for more of Ms. Christner's works in the near future.

There was a bonus story included by Kristin Billerbeck entitled "Strong as the Redwood". I already own this book and am happy to write that it is one I have read multiple times. This story is well placed with "Love's Story" as Ms. Billerbeck gives another perspective of life in the logging camp - one of a young school teacher. There are many challenges for Rachel Phillips as she begins her quest to teach the children of Searsville but none so great as town gossip. And this gossip is what will bring her and Chase Dylan together to fight for themselves and their friends. Combating the jealous and self-righteous matrons of Searsville will not be an easy task but one that will give Rachel the chance to test her faith in God for providence and support. Ms. Billerbeck has composed an excellent story and I truly enjoyed revisiting this book again. 

This E-book was provided to me at no cost by Barbour Publishing/Barbour Books via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation from either company for this review.

Loves Story by Dianne Christner (also including the bonus novella Strong as the Redwood by Kristin Billerbeck) is a Historical Christian Romance set among the early days of California. Meredith Storm Mears is a young headstrong writer for the McClure Magazine of New York. After reading some of John Muir’s writing about conservation among the redwoods and the logging industry in California, Meredith, and her friend and photographer Jonah Shaw, travel to Buckner’s Stand, California. She wishes to report on life in the logging camps. Meredith hopes that through her work, she can prove herself to her father, even though she is not the son he wanted. Thatcher Talbot is a man with a past of his own, who would just like to be left to his own. However, he is constantly being thrown together with Meredith. What results is a charming story of strong trust in faith, love and the beginnings of conservation efforts in California. The characters are well developed and the story line enjoyable. 

The second novella included is Strong as the Redwood by Kristin Billerbeck. Again the setting is in the redwood area of California. Rachael Phillips is a young woman who has become a teacher at the insistence of her stepfather. He has found her a job, away from her mother and baby stepbrother, in Searsville, California. She arrives there to teach the children of the loggers. Faced with unfounded gossip, jealousy, and self-righteousness, Rachael’s faith is tested. Through her friends and love for Chase Dylan, she learns the power of forgiveness and the sustaining power of Faith. Again, the characters were well developed and the story entertaining.

This book, complete with two novellas, would make a excellent book to curl up with warm evening read.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Barbour Publishing and have not received any compensation for this review.

I loved getting two books in one! Both stories are adorable, enjoyable and great stories of love, faith and trust. The characters are well-written in each heart-warming page. So much history and beautiful scenery to enjoy as well!

I cannot say enough good things about Love's Story. It features two historical romances that are well written and inspiring. 

The first one, Love's Story, is about a woman, Meredith, who is seeking to prove herself as a reporter. She works at McClure's magazine in New York and convinces the editor to allow her to do a story on logging and conservation. She and a photographer head to a logging camp in California. While on the train there, she meets Thatcher Talbot. He keeps to himself and has his own secrets he is running from. Meredith and Thatcher end up at the same logging camp and after an initially strained relationship, romance develops. Meredith and Thatcher develop as the story unfolds. This story was hard to put down. 

The second story, Strong as the Redwood, was equally hard to put down. It is about a lady named Rachel Phillips whose stepfather sends her to be a teacher in a small logging community. As she tries to establish herself, she finds the other women in the community tend to gossip maliciously. It is not long before she becomes the one they are gossiping about. One of the ladies who is jealous of the attention Rachel is receiving from a handsome man named Chase, starts a terrible lie about Rachel. As Rachel copes with being the focus of lies that damage her reputation she struggles with her relationship with God. This story really puts our walk with Christ into perspective. It is so encouraging. I found myself pulling for Rachel and Chase and I was so pleased that their romance finally developed and the ending was perfect.

This is a story of such courage (two women venturing out in the redwoods of CA. logging community for writing purposes.), monumental task of getting Meredith's Dad,  Faith (trusting and believing that GOD is in the midst of all the troubles and joys in the lives of Meredith's, Jonah, and Meredith's Dad), reconciliation(the love and renewal of a true relationship with forgiveness between Meredith and her father). The creation of something new - the creation of conservation.  What better thing to do but to conserve the art-manship of GOD and his handiwork.  The romance and true love that tugs at the heartstrings and warms your heart just makes you want to pull up the covers and sip on a hot chocolate and cuddle up and read on...What more could you ask for?  Except for an exceptional ending that you will warm the heart even warmer than the hot chocolate.

The second novella is about  Rachel who is a teacher at the insistence of her Stepdad in the redwoods.  He made her get a job far away from her mother and brother - to a logging town full of gossips, self-righteous, and jealousy and her faith is the one thing that she can truly rely on through the whole thing.  She finds friends and a love in Dylan but what happens next is what takes your heart away.  This novella takes your breathe away

Christner is not a well-known author by the general reading public.  She is truly a hidden gem when it comes to discovering her books.

What a fun book for a delightful afternoon or evening of enjoyment.  Readers will find this especially sweet book and bonus short story.  Grab a cup of hot tea, embrace the fragrance and sit back for a time of peace and quiet.   Readers who delight in love stories will not be disappointed.   I really like historical fiction and this is filled with accurate details that make you feel as if you are right there in the forest, gazing up at the redwoods in 1899.
               I am rating this book 4 stars and give it high recommendations.   
               I received a digital copy of this book from netgalley and Barbour Books in exchange for my honest review.   I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.

Wonderful book!! both of these authors have outdone themselves, love the storylines!! Great characters! Can't wait to read more by them