Showing posts with label small town. Show all posts
Showing posts with label small town. Show all posts

Saturday, May 31, 2025

Seven Brides for Seven Texans by Gabrielle Meyer, Erica Vetsch, Amanda Barratt, Lorna Steilstad, Keli Gwyn, and Vickie McDonough

 

What a great collection. You have to become attached to each of them. Their unique love stories by different authors are yet seamless. I think of the seven brothers Bowie was my favorite- I have a soft heart for him- but each one is special as are their love journeys, struggles and successes. Good faith reinforcement throughout. A book to savor!

I received this book free from the author, publisher and CelebrateLit book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#SevenBridesForSevenTexans #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #CelebrateLit #WildHeartBooks #ChristianHistoricalRomance #GabrielleMeyer #EricaVetsch #AmandaBarratt #LornaSeilstad #KeliGwyn #VickieMcDonough #SusanPageDavis


About the Book

Book: Seven Brides for Seven Texans

Authors: Gabrielle Meyer, Erica Vetsch, Amanda Barratt, Lorna Steilstad, Keli Gwyn, and Vickie McDonough

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: April 29, 2025

Seven brothers, seven heiresses, and one meddling grandfather—can mismatched matchmaking pave the way for true love?

Abraham Kennebrae, a powerful Minnesota tycoon, hatches a bold matchmaking scheme to secure his grandsons’ futures by pairing them with the wealthiest heiresses in town. But the brothers have no intention of complying, and their prospective brides harbor plans of their own. Jonathan battles to protect his fortune from slipping through his fingers, while Melissa guards the secret that could shatter her world—and her heart. Noah seeks refuge on Sutton Island, where fate throws him into the path of his destined bride, Anastasia. Meanwhile, Eli resigns himself to an engagement with Clarice Zahn, though his heart stirs at the sight of her younger sister, Josie.

With emotions running high and loyalties tested, Abraham’s carefully crafted plan spirals into chaos. Can love triumph when hearts rebel against expectations, or will the grandfather’s meddling prove too great a challenge for even the most determined romantics?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Authors

Gabrielle Meyer, a Minnesota native, draws inspiration for her historical fiction from the rich stories and landscapes of her home state, where she lives on the banks of the upper Mississippi River with her husband and four children. A former employee of the Minnesota Historical Society, Gabrielle loves weaving real people, places, and events into her captivating tales.

Best-selling, award-winning author Erica Vetsch weaves her love for Jesus, history, romance, and sports into her stories, including The Debutante’s Code, the first in the Thorndike & Swann Regency Mystery Series. When she’s not crafting fiction or planning her next trip to a history museum.

Bestselling author Amanda Barratt brings to life overlooked moments in history through her award-winning novels, including The Warsaw SistersWithin These Walls of Sorrow, and The White Rose Resists. Based in Michigan, she’s often immersed in research, tackling her ever-growing TBR stack, or savoring a slice of lemon cake.

Carol Award finalist Lorna Seilstad explores life’s complexities with humor in her nine novels, including the Lake Manawa Summers and Gregory Sisters series, as well as several novella collections. When she’s not writing, she teaches women’s Bible classes, runs a toy store, plans weddings, or spends time with her Pyredoodle, Honey Bea.

Keli Gwyn crafts inspirational historical romances that she loves to read. A California native, she now lives in the greater Sacramento area with her husband and their sweet orange tabby, enjoying life close to family.

Vickie McDonough, a CBA, EPCA, and Amazon best-selling author of 54 books and novellas, brings the Old West to life in her award-winning romances featuring ranchers, cowboys, and lawmen. Though married to a computer geek who fears horses, she lives out her ranching dreams through her stories—and when she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, gardening, making cards, and traveling.

More from Erica

Hi, I’m Erica Vetsch, and I loved collaborating on the stories for the 7 Brides for 7 Texans collection. It was fun writing stories that were so intertwined, and working closely with the other authors in the collection to bring the whole concept together.

Initially, I was approached by a publisher, asking if I would be interested in heading up a novella collection loosely based on the idea of 7 Brides for 7 Brothers, the classic musical. The parameters were that the stories must be no longer than 25K words, be historical in setting, and that I could choose the overall concept, as well as my team of authors.

I, of course, jumped at the chance. Before I contacted anyone, I worked up a rough idea of the premise of the stories. A wealthy Texas rancher with seven strapping sons is tired of waiting for them to get married and provide him with grandchildren, so he issues an ultimatum. Get married by the end of the calendar year, or you’re disinherited.

I named all the sons after famous Texans, and gave them a birth order, then I began contacting writing friends to see if they were interested in joining the project. Everyone I asked said yes! 😊

Then the real fun began. We formed a private Facebook group, and as the characters were chosen by the various authors, the order of the stories in the collection formed, and as ideas for storylines poured in, I began creating what we came to call The Master Document.

In the MD we tracked main characters’ names and appearances, secondary characters, a map of the fictional town of Hartsville, TX, and more. It eventually ran to more than 20 pages of information. We named the town newspaper, the general store, and kept track of the layout of the Harts’ massive ranch house. Keeping these details all in one place made it easy for the authors to flesh out their story world in a way that was consistent with everyone else’s stories.

Because the stories are so closely tied and on such a tight timeline, each of the authors’ characters would appear in another author’s novella. We needed to respect each other’s visions for the characters and treat them with respect, while also having the freedom to write our own stories.

Early on, as the project coordinator, it was established that if a dispute arose between two authors on how something should go, it would be myself who would cast the final vote. However, that contingency never came into play, as all the authors worked so well together.

One of the most challenging aspects of the project was, that as the project lead, and the one writing the final story in the collection, I needed to know the most about all the stories. Just before the deadline to turn our stories into the publisher, each author sent their story along to me to read for continuity. I spent a long weekend at author Gabrielle Meyer’s house, and we read every novella aloud, making notes for consistency and continuity throughout. These notes were turned in to the project editor, and she used them in her editing process to make sure seven separate stories felt cohesive.

It truly was a fun—and to me—unique, project, and when the publisher asked if I would like to head up a follow up collection, I was eager to say yes, and thus 7 Brides for 7 Texas Rangers was born.

Both of these intertwined collections went out of print, but they are now being released once more, this time through Wild Heart Books. I’m thrilled that we can tell our stories to new readers and prolong the lives of these characters.

Blog Stops

Giveaway


To celebrate their tour, the Wild Heart Books Authors are giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54225


My reviews

Thursday, August 24, 2023

The Swindler's Daughter by Stephenia H. McGee

 



I didn't want this one to end. I thought at first it was going to be just a sweet story, but as it unfolded I got thoroughly attached to the characters with more layers and mystery to uncover. Well done! Great faith lessons and life lessons for a society girl who learns to love small town living and family. 
I received this book free from the author, publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#NetGalley #TheSwindlersDaughter #StepheniaHMcGee #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #Revell #HistoricalFiction #FiveStarHistorical

My reviews

Wednesday, April 5, 2023

Driving Miss Darling

 



Now that's a romance! Alfie is quite swoon worthy, and his 7 brothers are too. All living in a small town with many more bachelors than ladies. And that's what brought Miss Darling there ... sort of. Get this book and read the why, where and how of it. And be ready to sigh. 
Clean romance.

I received this book free from the author, publisher and BookFunnel/BookSirens book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#BookFunnel #DrivingMissDarling #KLynnSmith #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #CleanHistoricalFiction #FiveStarNovel #BookSirens

My reviews

Friday, March 10, 2023

Love's New Beginnings: (A Wyoming Sunrise Prequel)




WYOMING 1860 Christian Historical. After she and her two Aunts pull up stakes and move out west to a new and somewhat rough area, Lydia is looking for a way to earn money to support them. She becomes a new teacher in a town a bit away from them. The aunts are just precious, with their constant but loving bickering a bit of comic relief. Solomon had just become the preacher in the town where Lydia moved to, and they get off on the wrong foot. Both are unsure of themselves and grow as they interact with the town residents and each other. Very real, well written and obviously researched. If this is the beginning of a series, it should be another one to hold precious. 
I received this book free from the author, publisher and CelebrateLit book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
@Celebrate_Lit #ChristianHistorical #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #PennyZeller #MaplebrookPublishing #WesternRomance

About the Book



Book: Love’s New Beginnings

Author: Penny Zeller

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: December 13, 2022

Where it all began…

Lydie Beauchamp recently moved with her aunts—sisters Myrtle and Fern—to the untamed Wyoming Territory. When a teaching position in nearby Willow Falls captures her attention, can she leave her aunts, one of whom just suffered a broken heart, and embark on this new adventure? Will she find the courage to persevere in the midst of challenges, one being a handsome challenge named Solomon Eliason?

Reverend Solomon Eliason has the goal of making a difference. Hired as the pastor of Willow Falls, he must convince the congregation that he is able to undertake the role of a reverend. When he’s nominated to be the adult in charge of the annual prank tradition at the school, he embraces the idea, thinking the new teacher will be an elderly crotchety woman like his former teacher. What he doesn’t realize until it’s too late is that the teacher is far from crotchety and elderly.

When Lydie’s and Solomon’s paths cross in an unexpected way during the prank tradition at the Willow Falls school, can Solomon redeem himself in the eyes of the lovely new teacher?

Take a glimpse into where it all began with Lydie and Solomon’s story in this tender tale that reminds us that God can and does use willing hearts for His purposes. 

Click here to get your copy! 

About the Author


Penny Zeller is known for her heartfelt stories of faith and her passion to impact lives for Christ through fiction. While she has had a love for writing since childhood, she began her adult writing career penning articles for national and regional publications on a wide variety of topics.

Today Penny is the author of over a dozen books. She is also a homeschool mom and a group fitness instructor. Her desire is to assist and nurture women into a closer relationship with Christ.

When Penny is not dreaming up new characters, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters and camping, hiking, canoeing, bicycling/cycling, reading, running, gardening, and playing volleyball.

She is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency and loves to hear from her readers at her website,  blog, and on Facebook.

More from Penny

Stagecoach etiquette, a casket for sale in the mercantile, and mock turtle soup were just a few of the items included in Love’s New Beginnings. Research is always fun for historical novels, and I even discovered that some people ate skunks back in the “olden days.” Not a regular delicatessen, but they did eat them on occasion. After reading about the ingredients for mock turtle soup and discovering about skunks for dinner (aka supper), I’m even more grateful for enchiladas and regular plain ol’ hamburgers. Historical romance novels are a delight to read, but is Love’s New Beginnings the book for you?

If you love…

To read love stories

Stories set in the late 1800s

Settings in the Wild West in small western towns

Sweet romance and tender love stories

Plentiful humor

Character-driven plots

Faith element organically interwoven into the story

Scenes that tug at the heartstrings

Hilarious antidotes tucked within the pages of a novel

To curl up and escape into the lives of book characters

Realistic plot lines

Close-knit families

Clean and wholesome reads

Memorable characters who stay with you long after the last page

Then Love’s New Beginnings is indeed the book for you!

Blog Stops

Giveaway


To celebrate her tour, Penny is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a signed copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/24949/love-s-new-beginnings-celebration-tour-giveaway



My Reviews

Tuesday, December 13, 2022

The Blizzard Bride, DAUGHTERS OF THE MAYFLOWER #11 by Susanne Dietze

 



“I hope we can all draw strength from God’s Word, but also through the example of those who’ve gone before us."

1800s Christian Historical set in Nebraska. You never know where one of the Mayflower books are going to take you, but you can guarantee you'll be attached to the characters quickly. In our lives, some of us are deeply hurt by others, and ostracized by no fault of our own. Forgiveness and compassion through God's love will see us through healing. Murder, mystery, friendship, understanding and love are woven throughout. Abby moves to a small town as a teacher, working for the secret service to catch the man who murdered her father. Dash is her partner, but also her old love who hurt her deeply. They make a good team as they work through misunderstandings on both sides, while forming lasting friendships in the town. Told with some humor and great lessons. 
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.
#TheBlizzardBride #NetGalley #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #SusanneDietze #ChristianHistoricalFiction #FiveStarBooks

My reviews


Monday, December 12, 2022

The Preacher's Unexpected Bride - Walton Valley Series: Book 2

 


1868 Kansas

Next in the series after Eliza and her sister run away from their uncle and join a wagon train. New people enter their lives whom they learn they can love and depend on, and their lives become richer for it. And more complicated. Hannah has a hard time trusting men after what her uncle had done to her. An interesting twist of things makes the town people force Hanah and Luke to marry. They get to know one another in some of the most difficult ways. Good story, good read.

#BookSirens #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #CatherineKennedy #HistoricalFiction

Quotes 
Was it possible that God had the perfect plan for her future before she had even known what she needed herself?

Hannah’s family was from the English aristocracy. His were about as far removed from that level of society as it was possible to be.

My reviews



Sunday, March 7, 2021

A Dance in Donegal by Jennifer Deibel

 


1920 Ireland Christian Historical 
Moira travelled to Ireland after her mother died. The school teacher from her Mother's town where she had grown up had passed and they accepted Moira to take over. It's quite a journey in distance from Boston and culturally as well. Interesting and lovely to learn the customs of the area.  There is also a hidden secret that keeps Moira puzzled and in danger. Some of the residents of the village know about Moira's mother, or at least they know what they were told. God brought Moira there for a purpose though, and she grows as a person along the way. So does Sean who has recently returned to the town.  Become immersed in a lovely small town in Ireland, its people and customs. 
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.
#ADanceinDonegal #NetGalley

My Reviews:
ChristianBook


Wednesday, August 21, 2019

The Midwife's Tale by Delia Parr


I felt there were some similarities to the PBS show Lark Rising and Jane Kirkpatrick's books. If you know either, you know you'll also be in love with Martha and this town setting quickly. Full of wisdom and insight in the life of a woman.  Self examining, lessons learned, wisdom to pass along that will help others to become stronger. Lessons of Christian faith as well. 1830 Western Pennsylvania. Christian Historical. The author says, "I hope The Midwife’s Tale will place midwifery and herbal treatments in historical perspective." A deeply satisfying story that will endear you to the characters, rooting for them along the way and feeling every bump in their road.

Martha is a midwife, trained by her Grandmother whose Mother had been a midwife and hers before her through the generations. She took the responsibility of delivering babies and taking care of children very seriously, continuing a diary that served as a record of births for the area. But a couple of things threw her a curve ball. Her daughter ran away while she was out on a call, and a new doctor came to town while she was away looking for her. She tried to find her daughter without success and returned home to find the new doctor trying to deliver a baby. This is a time when doctors had a way of treating pregnancy as an illness, with policies of bloodletting and purging, contrary to what midwives did using natural ways.

She learns that even though life changes, you can still do your best to be kind and help others, persevering even when others are unkind. A bird in a cage and a young orphan boy come into her life, and she finds new meaning and worth in taking care of them as well as the other people in the small town of Trinity, which for all it's faults will make you love it and want to come back.

"In the end, we must trust God to know what is best before we do, and to know that one day He will shower us with joy equal to the pain we have endured.”

Disclosure of Material Connection: 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. 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.”
#TheMidwifesTale #NetGalley #DeliaParr #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout

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