This was a clean, with light religious undertones, romance type Christmas Mail Order bride collection of 4 stories. All the brides were sent through Mrs. Mayberry's business. While all the brides found their mates, it was not always the way it was planned. It was put together with 4 authors, Carrie Turansky, Vickie McDonough, Therese Stanzel, and Susan Page Davis. I've given this a 4.5 to 5* rating. I really enjoyed all 4 stories.
Small group of new books to the TBR this week. I am not finding much appeal in the new releases in romance or in the freebie section. All but one of the books I have been eyeing, waiting for a price drop and room on my NOOK.
1. The Color of Love (The Color series) by Julianne MacLean. I have been picking up books in this series whenever I see a sale and I think the first one was a freebie in the NOOK store.
2. A Christmas Kiss by Jess Michaels. I was feeling emotional the day I downloaded this freebie. That night I got my answer to a problem and felt better. At a mere 38 pages, I could probably knock this out before the post goes live. But it will go into the holiday reading pile.
3. The Daughter of Highland Hall (Edwardian Brides series #2) by Carrie Turnansky. I already have book one, but I have been eyeing this one for a while. It went on sale and I immediately picked it up.
4. Gather the Stars (Culloden Moors #1) by Kimberly Cates. Getting ready for my post deployment trip to Scotland, but most Scottish romances leave me cold (especially when the accent is over done). But it was free, so....
5. A Wreath of Snow: A Christmas Novella by Liz Curtis Higgs. Another freebie for the holiday reading pile.
*tbr Thursdays is a bookish meme created by Moonlight Reader
About a year or so ago, I went through a spurt where I read a lot of historical romance novels. Most seem to follow the same cookie-cutter plot, and I got tired of them and took a break. This is the first one I've read in a while. It was actually given to me as a gift for Christmas a couple years ago.
It wasn't an awful book, and I'm sure there are many readers who would love it. Unfortunately for me, it did follow the similar plot format as many of these historical romances - fall in love but deny it, believe the other doesn't feel the same, a major trauma happens to make them realize their feelings, don't tell the other person how you feel, misunderstanding happens, one leaves, then they get back together. Yep, that about sums it up.
It seemed redundant throughout most of the book - William is worried about the taxes and is still hurt over his late wife's betrayal. Julia prays about everything. It was starting to get a bit boring.
Then the fire - no explanation for how a fire got started right outside of Julia's room. It seemed it was just stuck in there to fit that cookie-cutter plot.
I also struggled with the religious theme. I'm not against inspirational books, and I've ready others before and have enjoyed them very much. However, this one seemed way over the top. I get that Julia was a missionary and it was a huge part of who she was as a person, but I would have rather the messages have been there without being so blatant or preachy.
I also would have rather seen more of the relationship as it progressed between William and Julia, rather than just hearing about some of it. And Williams relationship with his children. There are a few moments, such as when they go ice skating, and I would have liked to have had more of those.
While I enjoy the Regency Period, I think there is much more fun to be had after the Victorians at the Turn of the Century in Europe. Trains, Planes, and Automobiles. Everyone has more freedom and the Great War is not yet here.
Enjoy these Turn of the Century (1890-1915) set European Romances.
1. Beast by Judith Ivory Early 1900's on an oceanliner and in Mediterranean France
2. The Bachelor List by Jane Feather London in 1906
3. With Seduction in Mind by Laura Lee Guhrke London 1896
4. In the Heart of the Highlander by Maggie Robinson Scotland 1904
5. The Last Rake in London by Nicola Cornick Edwardian London
6. Thornbrook Park by Sherri Browning Early 1900's Yorkshire
7. The Governess of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky Early 1900s India and England
8. Waltz With a Stranger by Pamela Sherwood Edwardian England
9. My Lords, Ladies, and Marjorie by M.C. Beaton Edwardian England
10. The Piper's Tune by Jessica Stirling Turn of the Century Glasglow
Did I miss a favorite? Let me know!
Be sure to check out my post on American Set Turn of the Century Romance (1890-1915)
To vote for the best of the best, go to the Goodreads list: Turn of the Century European Set Romances
To enjoy even more recommendations, visit my Pinterest Board: Turn of the Century Romance.
I thought this book was an enjoyable, if predictable, Christian romance. And I'm not against a book being predictable either. Sometimes I prefer that to a lot of huge curve balls. :-) However, I also found it a little difficult to bond with the characters and it took a while before the book engaged me in a significant way. I also felt that Jenn's return to faith seemed a little too simple and neat. I guess it can happen that way, but it seemed unrealistically easy.
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